bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shadow banking in China compared to other countries
Authors: Allen Franklin , Gu Xian
Published: June 2020

China's shadow banking has been rising rapidly in the last decade, mainly driven by regulations for banks, the Fiscal Stimulus Plan in 2008 and credit constraints in restrictive industries. This sector has continued growing although the regulators repeatedly attempted to impose new regulations on banks and nonbanks. The existence of shadow banking fulfills the high demand for funding. The standard view is that it poses risks to financial stability. However, in China, this is not necessarily the case. Entrusted loans, implicit guarantees from nonbanks, banks or government may provide a second‐best arrangement in funding risky projects and improving welfare.
Extraterrestrial organic compounds and cyanide in the CM2 carbonaceous chondrites Aguas Zarcas and Murchison
Authors: Aponte José C. , McLain Hannah L. , Simkus Danielle N. , Elsila Jamie E. , Glavin Daniel P. , Parker Eric T. , Dworkin Jason P. , Hill Dolores H. , Connolly Harold C. , Lauretta Dante S.
Published: June 2020

Evaluating the water‐soluble organic composition of carbonaceous chondrites is key to understanding the inventory of organic matter present at the origins of the solar system and the subsequent processes that took place inside asteroid parent bodies. Here, we present a side‐by‐side analysis and comparison of the abundance and molecular distribution of aliphatic amines, aldehydes, ketones, mono‐ and dicarboxylic acids, and free and acid‐releasable cyanide species in the CM2 chondrites Aguas Zarcas and Murchison. The Aguas Zarcas meteorite is a recent fall that occurred in central Costa Rica and constitutes the largest recovered mass of a CM‐type meteorite after Murchison. The overall content of organic species we investigated was systematically higher in Murchison than in Aguas Zarcas. Similar to previous meteoritic organic studies, carboxylic acids were one to two orders of magnitude more abundant than other soluble organic compound classes investigated in both meteorite samples. We did not identify free cyanide in Aguas Zarcas and Murchison; however, cyanide species analyzed after acid digestion of the water‐extracted meteorite mineral matrix were detected and quantified at slightly higher abundances in Aguas Zarcas compared to Murchison. Although there were differences in the total abundances of specific compound classes, these two carbonaceous chondrites showed similar isomeric distributions of aliphatic amines and carboxylic acids, with common traits such as a complete suite of structural isomers that decreases in concentration with increasing molecular weight. These observations agree with their petrologic CM type‐2 classification, suggesting that these meteorites experienced similar organic formation processes and/or conditions during parent body aqueous alteration.
The role of introgression and ecotypic parallelism in delineating intraspecific conservation units
Authors: Taylor Rebecca S. , Manseau Micheline , Horn Rebekah L. , Keobouasone Sonesinh , Golding G. Brian , Wilson Paul J.
Published: June 2020

Parallel evolution can occur through selection on novel mutations, standing genetic variation or adaptive introgression. Uncovering parallelism and introgressed populations can complicate management of threatened species as parallelism may have influenced conservation unit designations and admixed populations are not generally considered under legislations. We examined high coverage whole‐genome sequences of 30 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) from across North America and Greenland, representing divergent intraspecific lineages, to investigate parallelism and levels of introgression contributing to the formation of ecotypes. Caribou are split into four subspecies and 11 extant conservation units, known as designatable units (DUs), in Canada. Using genomes from all four subspecies and six DUs, we undertake demographic reconstruction and confirm two previously inferred instances of parallel evolution in the woodland subspecies and uncover an additional instance of parallelism of the eastern migratory ecotype. Detailed investigations reveal introgression in the woodland subspecies, with introgressed regions found spread throughout the genomes encompassing both neutral and functional sites. Our investigations using whole genomes highlight the difficulties in unequivocally demonstrating parallelism through adaptive introgression in nonmodel species with complex demographic histories, with standing variation and introgression both potentially involved. Additionally, the impact of parallelism and introgression on conservation policy for management units needs to be considered in general, and the caribou designations will need amending in light of our results. Uncovering and decoupling parallelism and differential patterns of introgression will become prevalent with the availability of comprehensive genomic data from nonmodel species, and we highlight the need to incorporate this into conservation unit designations.
Lessons learned from the INHANCE consortium: An overview of recent results on head and neck cancer
Authors: Bravi Francesca , Lee Yuan‐Chin Amy , Hashibe Mia , Boffetta Paolo , Conway David I. , Ferraroni Monica , La Vecchia Carlo , Edefonti Valeria ,   the INHANCE Consortium investigators
Published: June 2020

Objective

To summarize the latest evidence on head and neck cancer epidemiology from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium.

Subjects and Methods

INHANCE was established in 2004 to elucidate the etiology of head and neck cancer through pooled analyses of individual‐level data on a large scale. We summarize results from recent INHANCE‐based publications updating our 2015 overview.

Results

Seventeen papers were published between 2015 and May 2020. These studies further define the nature of risks associated with tobacco and alcohol, and occupational exposures on head and neck cancer. The beneficial effects on incidence of head and neck cancer were identified for good oral health, endogenous and exogenous hormonal factors, and selected aspects of diet related to fruit and vegetables. INHANCE has begun to develop risk prediction models and to pool follow‐up data on their studies, finding that ~30% of cases had cancer recurrence and 9% second primary cancers, with overall‐ and disease‐specific 5‐year‐survival of 51% and 57%, respectively.

Conclusions

The number and importance of INHANCE scientific findings provides further evidence of the advantages of large‐scale internationally collaborative projects and will support the development of prevention strategies.
High‐risk human papillomavirus in patients with oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma—A multi‐centre study in Sweden, Brazil and Romania
Authors: Sundberg Jonas , Öhman Jenny , Korytowska Magdalena , Wallström Mats , Kjeller Göran , Andersson Maria , Horal Peter , Lindh Magnus , Giglio Daniel , Kovács Anikó , Sand Lars , Hirsch Jan‐Michaél , Magda Araújo Ferracini Lais , de Souza Ana Carolina Mamana Fernandes , Parlatescu Ioanina , Dobre Maria , Hinescu Mihail‐Eugen , Braz‐Silva Paulo Henrique , Tovaru Serban , Hasséus Bengt
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Although causal associations between oral leukoplakia (OL), oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) have been speculated upon in several reports, conclusive evidence has not been presented. This study investigates whether the number of cases of HR‐HPV in OL has increased over time and whether the prevalence of HR‐HPV‐positive OL differs in various parts of the world.

Patients and Methods

A total of 432 patients with OL from Sweden, Brazil and Romania were analysed. Patients were divided into historical (1992–2002) and contemporary (2011–2017) cohorts from the respective countries. Seventeen patients with OL developed oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A real‐time PCR assay, targeting HPV sub‐types 6,11,16,18,31,33,35,39,45,52,56,58 and 59, was performed to detect HR‐HPV in patients with OL.

Results

In the Swedish and Romanian cohorts, none of the investigated HPV sub‐types were detected. In the Brazilian cohorts, five patients with OL (3%) were positive for HR‐HPV, including four patients from the contemporary cohort (HPV 16, 31, 33) and one from the historical cohort (HPV 11). All the cases of OL that transformed into OSCC were HR‐HPV‐negative, as were the corresponding tumours.

Conclusions

In summary, the prevalence of HR‐HPV in OL is low in all the tested countries, and the incidence has not changed over time. HR‐HPV in OL does not seem to be a driver of oncogenesis.
Genomic and signalling pathway characterization of the NZM panel of melanoma cell lines: A valuable model for studying the impact of genetic diversity in melanoma
Authors: Tran Khanh B. , Gimenez Gregory , Tsai Peter , Kolekar Sharada , Rodger Euan J. , Chatterjee Aniruddha , Jabed Anower , Shih Jen‐Hsing , Joseph Wayne R. , Marshall Elaine S. , Wang Qian , Print Cristin G. , Eccles Michael R. , Baguley Bruce C. , Shepherd Peter R.
Published: June 2020

Melanoma is a disease associated with a very high mutation burden and thus the possibility of a diverse range of oncogenic mechanisms that allow it to evade therapeutic interventions and the immune system. Here, we describe the characterization of a panel of 102 cell lines from metastatic melanomas (the NZM lines), including using whole‐exome and RNA sequencing to analyse genetic variants and gene expression changes in a subset of this panel. Lines possessing all major melanoma genotypes were identified, and hierarchical clustering of gene expression profiles revealed four broad subgroups of cell lines. Immunogenotyping identified a range of HLA haplotypes as well as expression of neoantigens and cancer–testis antigens in the lines. Together, these characteristics make the NZM panel a valuable resource for cell‐based, immunological and xenograft studies to better understand the diversity of melanoma biology and the responses of melanoma to therapeutic interventions.
Attitudinal and Emotional Consequences of Islamist Terrorism. Evidence from the Berlin Attack
Authors: Nussio Enzo
Published: June 2020

Studies about Islamist‐inspired terror attacks in the Western world have identified a recently declining impact on public opinion. What explains this development? I argue that the wider audience of terrorist attacks has become desensitized. Cognitive desensitization occurs when citizens increasingly expect an attack, reducing the likelihood of attitudinal change. Emotional desensitization occurs when audiences lose sensitivity to attacks, tempering emotional arousal. To assess the implications of desensitization, I analyze a survey conducted around the Berlin Christmas market attack in 2016 and account for baseline information of the surveyed individuals, an approach not used before due to data limitations. I find that attitudes like trust in government, national identification, and views of Islam remain unchanged. Sadness and anger are heightened in the immediate aftermath of the attack. The wider German audience may thus have expected an attack but still be emotionally sensitive to it in the short term. These findings are relevant as political leaders have justified important policy changes in fields like migration and even war making with reference to supposed shifts in public opinion after attacks.
Nostalgia reconsidered
Authors: Sweeney Paula
Published: June 2020

Nostalgia is standardly assumed to be directed towards the past, to involve some salient feeling of the irretrievability of the past, and to be directed towards the memory of an event. In this paper I argue that none of these standard assumptions hold. I use a time‐traveller example to demonstrate that nostalgia is not essentially past‐directed. Once nostalgia is prised from the objective past, we can examine the other purported conditions, making space for the conclusion that the felt irretrievability of the past is not the necessary feature of nostalgia that we assumed it to be. I then argue that the notion that nostalgia is directed towards the memory of an event is misguided. Finally, I distinguish two routes to nostalgia and, with this distinction in place, argue that nostalgia is neither essentially time nor place directed. Nostalgia is simply change‐directed.
Pathways to behavior problems in Norwegian kindergarten children: The role of parent emotion socialization and child emotion understanding
Authors: Bjørk Rune F. , Havighurst Sophie S. , Pons Francisco , Karevold Evalill B.
Published: June 2020

More than two decades of research have shown that parental emotion‐related socialization behaviors (ERSBs) significantly predict child emotion understanding and externalizing behavior problems. This study aimed to replicate these findings in a sample of 40 Norwegian preschool children and to test whether the effect of parental ERSBs on externalizing child behavior problems was mediated through child emotion understanding. Parental report on ERSBs was obtained using the Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES) questionnaire. Child emotion understanding was assessed directly using the Test of Emotion Comprehension (TEC). The results showed that parental distress reactions and externalizing child behavior problems were significantly correlated and that parental expressive encouragement was significantly correlated with child emotion understanding. Estimation of indirect effects was conducted using process analysis and showed that parental expressive encouragement was indirectly related to externalizing child behavior problems (b = −0.17) via child emotion understanding. The results suggest that better child emotion understanding, and lower parental distress are related to lower levels of behavior problems in preschool children. These findings provide support for the Parental Meta‐Emotion Philosophy (PMEP) model, where the effect of parental emotion socialization on externalizing child behavior problems is mediated through emotion understanding.
Thebe‐auxiliary's categorial status in Old Russian1
Authors: Jung Hakyung
Published: June 2020

This article proposes that the present tense forms of thebe‐auxiliarybyti(AUX) in Old Russian should be identified as weak pronouns, based on their prosodic, morphological, and syntactic properties. The loss ofAUXin Old Russian, which distinguishes East Slavic from West and South Slavic languages, is ascribed to the competition betweenAUXand strong subject pronouns as a consequence of the reanalysis ofAUXas a weak subject pronoun. This reanalysis was triggered by the early loss of synthetic past tenses in Old Russian. TheAUX's position to the right of pronominal clitics indicates that theAUXremains in its initial merge position either as an auxiliary verb or as a subject pronoun. The co‐occurrence ofAUXin situand a null subject in Old Russian implies that rich verbal agreement and null subjects are unrelated with verb raising to I0.
Overcoming the challenges of interpreting complex and uncommon RH alleles from whole genomes
Authors: Halls Justin B.L. , Vege Sunitha , Simmons Daimon P. , Aeschlimann Judith , Bujiriri Baderha , Mah Helen H. , Lebo Matthew S. , Vijay Kumar Prathik K. , Westhoff Connie M. , Lane William J.
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives

Rh is one of the most diverse and complex blood group systems. Recently, next generation sequencing (NGS) has proven to be a viable option for RH genotyping. We have developed automated software (bloodTyper) for determining alleles encoding RBC antigens from NGS‐based whole genome sequencing (WGS). The bloodTyper algorithm has not yet been optimized and evaluated for complex and uncommon RH alleles.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐two samples with previous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing‐based RH genotyping underwent WGS. bloodTyper was used to detect RH alleles including those defined by structural variation (SV) using a combination of three independent strategies: sequence read depth of coverage, split reads and paired reads.

Results

bloodTyper was programmed to identify D negative and positive phenotypes as well as the presence of alleles encoding weak D, partial D and variant RHCE. Sequence read depth of coverage calculation accurately determined RHD zygosity and detected the presence of RHD/RHCE hybrids. RHCE*C was determined by sequence read depth of coverage and by split read methods. RHD hybrid alleles and RHCE*C were confirmed by using a paired read approach. Small SVs present in RHCE*CeRN and RHCE*ceHAR were detected by a combined read depth of coverage and paired read approach.

Conclusions

The combination of several different interpretive approaches allowed for automated software based‐RH genotyping of WGS data including RHD zygosity and complex compound RHD and RHCE heterozygotes. The scalable nature of this automated analysis will enable RH genotyping in large genomic sequencing projects.
Fault Adaptive Mission Planning: Increasing Useful-Life and Reducing Downtime Through Condition-Based Decision-Making
Authors: DeStefano Charlie , Jensen David
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a novel Fault Adaptive Mission Planning (FAMP) framework for complex systems aimed at increasing useful-life and reducing downtime through condition-based decision-making. A hallmark of complex systems is that they typically have access to multiple mission plans that allow their mission objectives to be accomplished in a variety of ways. In hopes of exploiting this characteristic, FAMP is the process of increasing a system's useful-lifespan by first determining how each potential mission plan affects the system's degradation differently, and then by implementing a planning strategy that utilizes this information to repeatedly recalculate a new mission plan as the system degrades. Fault-augmented physics models identify how component degradation will affect the system's current and future performance for a given mission plan. Then, at various degradation-based thresholds, new mission plans are installed such that whenever possible, the healthiest components are used more, or in different ways, than the more degraded components. This process promotes balanced degradation, preventing useful-life from being wasted and reducing downtime through synchronized maintenance schedules. This work expands the prognostics and health management paradigm by enabling life extension and maintenance reduction through real-time FAMP.
Two Methods to Assess Aortic Compliance Using Blood Pressure and Pulse-Wave Velocity
Authors: Manring Noah , Al-Toki Mouayed
Published: June 2020

Aortic compliance has been well established as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The current "gold standard" for assessing aortic compliance is to use the carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) as a surrogate; however, PWV alone has been discussed in the literature as being inadequate for assessing compliance, especially for elderly patients and others who have a stiff aorta. In this paper an equation for the aortic compliance is developed using two approaches: 1) lumped-parameter modeling based on blood-pressure data and 2) distributed modeling based on the PWV. In-vitro experiments are conducted using a silicone-rubber tube which simulates the aorta, and an actual aorta harvested from a 1-year old, Holstein heifer. For both the rubber aorta and the Holstein aorta, a comparison is made between the blood-pressure model and the PWV model. In conclusion it is shown that good agreement exists between the two models, suggesting that either model may be used depending upon the available data. Furthermore, due to differences in material properties, it is shown that the compliance of the rubber aorta increases with mean arterial-pressure, while the compliance of the Holstein aorta decreases with mean arterial-pressure. Clinical implications of this research are also discussed.
Principal Component Analysis and Independent Component Analysis-Based Prognostic Health Monitoring of Electronic Assemblies Subjected to Simultaneous Temperature-Vibration Loads
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Thomas Tony
Published: June 2020

This paper discusses methods for estimating different feature vectors from strain signals of an electronic assembly under combined temperature and vibration load. A vibrational load of 14 G acceleration-level with an ambient temperature of 55 °C is selected as the operating conditions for this experiment. Strain signals were measured at different time intervals during the vibration of the printed circuit board, and resistance values of the packages on the printed circuit board are monitored to identify the failure. The frequency response was measured by taking the fast Fourier transform of the signal and quantized by frequency quantization techniques. These techniques were able to identify the increase in the number of higher frequency components in the strain signal before failure with increase vibration time. The time-frequency response was also compared by employing different time–frequency analysis, joint time–frequency analysis, and statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), and independent component analysis (ICA). Statistical techniques like PCA and ICA were used to identify the different patterns of the original strain and filtered signals. These techniques discretely separated the before and after failure strain signals but were unable to predict the progression of failure in the packages. The instantaneous frequency of the strain signal displayed an interesting behavior, in which the variance of the PCA components of the instantaneous frequency had an increasing trend and reached a maximum value before continuously decreasing and reaching a lower value just before failure, indicating a progression of the before failure strain components.
Acceleration Factor Modeling of Flexible Electronic Substrates From Actual Human Body Measurements
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Thomas Tony , Yadav Vikas , Narangaparambil Jinesh , Liu Wei
Published: June 2020

The use of flexible electronics wearable applications has prompted the need to understand the stresses imposed during human motion for a range of activities. Wearable applications may involve situations in which the electronics may be flexed-to-install, stretched or subjected to thousands cycles of dynamic flexing. In order to develop meaningful test-levels, a better understanding is needed of the use-cases, variance, and the acceleration factors. In this study, the human body motion data for walking, jumping, squats, lunges, and bicep curls were measured using a set of ten Vicon cameras to measure the position, velocity, and accelerations of a standard full-body sensor location of the human body. In addition, reliability data has been gathered on test vehicles subjected to dynamic flexing. Continuous resistance data have been gathered on circuits subjected to dynamic flexing till failure for some of the commonly used trace geometries in electronic circuits. Experimental measurements during the accelerated tests of the boards were combined with the human body motion data to model the acceleration factor for different human activities based on the flexing angles. Human motion for multiple subjects and multiple joints has been correlated to the test levels for the development of acceleration factors. Statistical analysis on the variation of the joint angles with hypothesis testing has been conducted for different subjects and for different human body actions. Acceleration factors models have been developed for walking, jumping, squats, lunges, and bicep curls.
The common murre (Uria aalge), an auk seabird, reacts to underwater sound
Authors: Anderson Hansen Kirstin , Hernandez Ariana , Mooney T. Aran , Rasmussen Marianne H. , Sørensen Kenneth , Wahlberg Magnus
Published: June 2020

Marine mammals have fine-tuned hearing abilities, which makes them vulnerable to human-induced sounds from shipping, sonars, pile drivers, and air guns. Many species of marine birds, such as penguins, auks, and cormorants, find their food underwater where light is often limited, suggesting sound detection may play a vital role. Yet, for most marine birds, it is unknown whether they are using, and can thereby be affected by, underwater sound. The authors conducted a series of playback experiments to test whether Alcid seabirds responded to and were disrupted by, underwater sound. Underwater broadband sound bursts and mid-frequency naval 53 C sonar signals were presented to two common murres (Uria aalge) in a quiet pool. The received sound pressure levels varied from 110 to 137 dB re 1 μPa. Both murres showed consistent reactions to sounds of all intensities, as compared to no reactions during control trials. For one of the birds, there was a clearly graded response, so that more responses were found at higher received levels. The authors' findings indicate that common murres may be affected by, and therefore potentially also vulnerable to, underwater noise. The effect of man-made noise on murres, and possibly other marine birds, requires more thorough consideration.
Intelligibility of stop-plosive and fricative consonants produced by tracheoesophageal speakers in quiet and noise
Authors: Failla Sebastiano , Doyle Philip C.
Published: June 2020

Despite functional levels of postlaryngectomy communication, individuals who undergo total laryngectomy and tracheoesophageal (TE) puncture voice restoration continue to experience significant communication difficulties in noisy environments. In order to identify and further characterize TE speakers' intelligibility in noise, the current auditory-perceptual study investigated stop-plosive and fricative intelligibility of TE speech in quiet and in the presence of multi-talker noise. Eighteen listeners evaluated monosyllabic consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words produced by 14 TE speakers using an open-response paradigm. The findings indicate that overall speaker intelligibility was significantly lower in noise. However, further examination of these data revealed a differential effect of noise on intelligibility according to manner and phoneme position. While overall error patterns remained consistent across conditions, the voicing distinction was affected differentially by manner class and articulatory position. The present investigation provides valuable insights into the influence of non-normal and degraded voice signals and differential perceptual patterns when comparing TE speech intelligibility in quiet and noise.
A boundary element eigensolver for acoustic resonances in cavities with impedance boundary conditions
Authors: Wan Cheng , Zheng Chang-Jun , Bi Chuan-Xing , Zhang Yong-Bin
Published: June 2020

This letter presents a boundary element scheme for analysis of acoustic resonances in cavities with impedance boundary conditions. The resultant eigenproblem, which is nonlinear and difficult to solve directly, is transformed to a linear one through a contour integral method. A variant-parameter scheme based on the Burton-Miller combined formulation is given to identify spurious eigenfrequencies, which are complex and similar to true eigenfrequencies. A numerical example is used to show the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Impairments of Postural Balance in Surgically Treated Lumbar Disc Herniation Patients
Authors: Rosker Ziva M. , Rosker Jernej , Sarabon Nejc
Published: June 2020

Reports on body sway control following microdiscectomy lack reports on side-specific balance deficits as well as the effects of trunk balance control deficits on body sway during upright stances. About 3 weeks post microdiscectomy, the body sway of 27 patients and 25 controls was measured while standing in an upright quiet stance with feet positioned parallel on an unstable support surface, a tandem stance with the involved leg positioned in front or at the back, a single-leg stance with both legs, and sitting on an unstable surface. Velocity, average amplitude, and frequency-direction–specific parameters were analyzed from the center of pressure movement, measured by the force plate. Statistically significant differences between the 2 groups were observed for the medial–lateral body sway frequency in parallel stance on a stable and unstable support surface and for the sitting balance task in medial-lateral body sway parameters. Medium to high correlations were observed between body sway during sitting and the parallel stance, as well as between the tandem and single-legged stances. Following microdiscectomy, deficits in postural balance were side specific, as expected by the nature of the pathology. In addition, the results of this study confirmed the connection between proximal balance control deficits and balance during upright quiet balance tasks.
Using influenza surveillance networks to estimate state-specific prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States
Authors: Silverman Justin D. , Hupert Nathaniel , Washburne Alex D.
Published: June 2020

Analysis of influenza-like illness surveillance data estimates that most SARS-CoV-2 infections in the United States went undetected in March 2020.
New Scheme of Intermittent Benznidazole Administration in Patients Chronically Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi: Clinical, Parasitological, and Serological Assessment after Three Years of Follow-Up
Authors: Álvarez María Gabriela , Ramírez Juan Carlos , Bertocchi Graciela , Fernández Marisa , Hernández Yolanda , Lococo Bruno , Lopez-Albizu Constanza , Schijman Alejandro , Cura Carolina , Abril Marcelo , Laucella Susana , Tarleton Rick L. , Natale María Ailen , Castro Eiro Melisa , Sosa-Estani Sergio , Viotti Rodolfo
Published: June 2020

In a pilot study, we showed that the intermittent administration of benznidazole in chronic Chagas disease patients resulted in a low rate of treatment suspension and therapeutic failure, as assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) at the end of treatment. Here, a 3-year posttreatment follow-up study of the same cohort of patients is presented. The treatment scheme consisted of 12 doses of benznidazole at 5 mg/kg of body weight/day in two daily doses every 5 days. Parasite load,
Trypanosoma cruzi
-specific antibodies, and serum chemokine levels were measured prior to treatment and after a median follow-up of 36 months posttreatment by DNA minicircle kinetoplastid and nuclear DNA satellite sequence qPCR methods, conventional serological techniques, a Luminex-based assay with recombinant
T. cruzi
proteins, and a cytometric bead array.
Genetic Basis of Azole and Echinocandin Resistance in Clinical Candida glabrata in Japan
Authors: Khalifa Hazim O. , Arai Teppei , Majima Hidetaka , Watanabe Akira , Kamei Katsuhiko
Published: June 2020

Infections caused by
Candida glabrata
have caused worldwide concern, especially when they are associated with increasing echinocandin and azole resistance. In this study, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of azole and echinocandin resistance in
C. glabrata
isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in Japan from 1997 to 2019. All isolates were checked phenotypically for resistance and genotypically for mutations in
PDR1
,
ERG11
, hot spot 1 (HS1), HS2, and HS3 of
FKS1
, and HS1 and HS2 of
FKS2
, and all isolates were genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST).
Insights into the Maturation of Pernisine, a Subtilisin-Like Protease from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Aeropyrum pernix
Authors: Bahun Miha , Šnajder Marko , Turk Dušan , Poklar Ulrih Nataša
Published: June 2020

Enzymes from thermophilic organisms are of particular importance for use in industrial applications, due to their exceptional stability and activity. Pernisine, from the hyperthermophilic archaeon
Aeropyrum pernix
, is a proteolytic enzyme that can degrade infective prion proteins and thus has a potential use for disinfection of prion-contaminated surfaces. Like other subtilisin-like proteases, pernisine needs to mature through an autocatalytic process to become an active protease. In the present study, we address the maturation of pernisine and show that the process is regulated specifically at high temperatures by the propeptide. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of a unique Ca
2+
-binding insertion for stabilization of mature pernisine. Our results provide a novel understanding of thermostable subtilisin autoactivation, which might advance the development of these enzymes for commercial use.
Metatranscriptomic Analysis of Virus Diversity in Urban Wild Birds with Paretic Disease
Authors: Chang Wei-Shan , Eden John-Sebastian , Hall Jane , Shi Mang , Rose Karrie , Holmes Edward C.
Published: June 2020

Wildlife naturally harbor a diverse array of infectious microorganisms and can be a source of novel diseases in domestic animals and human populations. Using unbiased RNA sequencing, we identified highly diverse viruses in native birds from Australian urban environments presenting with paresis. This research included the clinical investigation and description of poorly understood recurring syndromes of unknown etiology: clenched claw syndrome and black and white bird disease. As well as identifying a range of potentially disease-causing viral pathogens, this study describes methods that can effectively and efficiently characterize emergent disease syndromes in free-ranging wildlife and promotes further surveillance for specific pathogens of potential conservation and zoonotic concern.
Hypervariable Domain of nsP3 of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus Is a Critical Determinant of Viral Virulence
Authors: Meshram Chetan D. , Shiliaev Nikita , Frolova Elena I. , Frolov Ilya
Published: June 2020

Hypervariable domains (HVDs) of alphavirus nsP3 proteins recruit host proteins into viral replication complexes. The sets of HVD-binding host factors are specific for each alphavirus, and we have previously identified those specific for EEEV. The results of this study demonstrate that the deletions of the binding sites of the G3BP and FXR protein families in the nsP3 HVD of EEEV make the virus avirulent for mice. Mutations in the nuclear localization signal in EEEV capsid protein have an additional negative effect on viral replication
in vivo
. Despite the inability to cause a detectable disease, the double HVD and triple HVD/capsid mutants induce high levels of neutralizing antibodies. Single immunization protects mice against infection with the highly pathogenic North American strain of EEEV. High safety, the inability to revert to wild-type phenotype, and high immunogenicity make the designed mutants attractive vaccine candidates for EEEV infection.
P108 and T109 on E2 Glycoprotein Domain I Are Critical for the Adaptation of Classical Swine Fever Virus to Rabbits but Not for Virulence in Pigs
Authors: Xie Libao , Han Yuying , Ma Yuteng , Yuan Mengqi , Li Weike , Li Lian-Feng , Li Miao , Sun Yuan , Luo Yuzi , Li Su , Hu Shouping , Li Yongfeng , Qiu Hua-Ji
Published: June 2020

Historically, live attenuated vaccines produced by blind passage usually undergo adaptation in cell cultures or nonsusceptible hosts and attenuation in natural hosts, with a classical example being the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) lapinized vaccine C-strain, which was developed by hundreds of passages in rabbits. However, the mechanism of viral adaptation to nonsusceptible hosts and the molecular basis for viral adaptation and attenuation remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that P108 and T109 on the E2 glycoprotein together with the E
rns
glycoprotein of the rabbit-adaptive C-strain confer adaptation to rabbits on the highly virulent CSFV Shimen strain by affecting viral entry during infection but do not attenuate the Shimen strain in pigs. Our results provide vital information on the different molecular bases of CSFV adaptation to rabbits and attenuation in pigs.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Patient Lung Infections and Their Interactions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Bernardy Eryn E. , Petit Robert A. , Raghuram Vishnu , Alexander Ashley M. , Read Timothy D. , Goldberg Joanna B.
Published: June 2020

Staphylococcus aureus
is now the most frequently detected recognized pathogen in the lungs of individuals who have cystic fibrosis (CF) in the United States, followed closely by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. When these pathogens are found to coinfect the CF lung, patients have a significantly worse prognosis. While
P. aeruginosa
has been rigorously studied in the context of bacterial pathogenesis in CF, less is known about
S. aureus
. Here, we present an in-depth study of 64
S. aureus
clinical isolates from CF patients, for which we investigated genetic diversity utilizing whole-genome sequencing, virulence phenotypes, and interactions with
P. aeruginosa
. We found that
S. aureus
isolated from CF lungs are phylogenetically diverse; most retain known virulence factors and vary in their interactions with
P. aeruginosa
(i.e., they range from being highly sensitive to
P. aeruginosa
to completely tolerant to it). Deepening our understanding of how
S. aureus
responds to its environment and other microbes in the CF lung will enable future development of effective treatments and preventative measures against these formidable infections.
Intra-Amniotic Infection with
Ureaplasma parvum
Causes Preterm Birth and Neonatal Mortality That Are Prevented by Treatment with Clarithromycin
Authors: Motomura Kenichiro , Romero Roberto , Xu Yi , Theis Kevin R. , Galaz Jose , Winters Andrew D. , Slutsky Rebecca , Garcia-Flores Valeria , Zou Chengrui , Levenson Dustyn , Para Robert , Ahmad Madison M. , Miller Derek , Hsu Chaur-Dong , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy
Published: June 2020

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multiple etiologies are associated with preterm birth; however, 25% of preterm infants are born to a mother with intra-amniotic infection, most commonly due to invasion of the amniotic cavity by
Ureaplasma
species. Much research has focused on establishing a link between
Ureaplasma
species and adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes; however, little is known about the taxonomy of and host response against
Ureaplasma
species. Here, we applied a multifaceted approach, including human samples,
in vivo
models, and
in vitro
manipulations, to study the maternal-fetal immunobiology of
Ureaplasma
infection during pregnancy. Furthermore, we investigated the use of clarithromycin as a treatment for this infection. Our research provides translational knowledge that bolsters scientific understanding of
Ureaplasma
species as a cause of adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes and gives strong evidence for the use of clarithromycin as the recommended treatment for women intra-amniotically infected with
Ureaplasma
species.
Erwinia carotovora Quorum Sensing System Regulates Host-Specific Virulence Factors and Development Delay in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Vieira Filipe J. D. , Nadal-Jimenez Pol , Teixeira Luis , Xavier Karina B.
Published: June 2020

Integration of genetic networks allows bacteria to rapidly adapt to changing environments. This is particularly important in bacteria that interact with multiple hosts.Erwinia carotovorais a plant pathogen that usesDrosophila melanogasteras a vector. To interact with these two hosts,Ecc15uses different sets of virulence factors: plant cell wall-degrading enzymes to infect plants and theErwiniavirulence factor (evf) to infectDrosophila. Our work shows that, despite the virulence factors being specific for each host, both sets are coactivated by homoserine lactone quorum sensing and by the two-component GacS/A system in infected plants. This regulation is essential forEcc15loads in the gut ofDrosophilaand minimizes the developmental delay caused by the bacteria with respect to the insect vector. Our findings provide evidence that coactivation of the host-specific factors in the plant may function as a predictive mechanism to maximize the probability of transit of the bacteria between hosts.
GapMind: Automated Annotation of Amino Acid Biosynthesis
Authors: Price Morgan N. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: June 2020

Many microbes can make all of the amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). In principle, we should be able to predict which amino acids a microbe can make, and which it requires as nutrients, by checking its genome sequence for all of the necessary genes. However, in practice, it is difficult to check for all of the alternative pathways. Furthermore, new pathways and enzymes are still being discovered. We built an automated tool, GapMind, to annotate amino acid biosynthesis in bacterial and archaeal genomes. We used GapMind to list gaps: cases where a microbe makes an amino acid but a complete pathway cannot be identified in its genome. We used these gaps, together with data from mutants, to identify new pathways and enzymes. However, for most bacteria and archaea, we still do not know how they can make all of the amino acids.
Supplemental Material: Redox state of southern Tibetan upper mantle and ultrapotassic magmas
Authors: Li Weikai , Yang Zhiming
Published: June 2020

Methods, Tables S1–S7, and Figures S1–S8
Fate of pulmonary hypertension associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia beyond 36 weeks postmenstrual age
Authors: Arjaans Sanne , Haarman Meindina G , Roofthooft Marcus T R , Fries Marian W F , Kooi Elisabeth M W , Bos Arend F , Berger Rolf M F
Published: June 2020

Objective

To determine the survival and evolution of pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely premature born infants beyond 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).

Design

A single-centre retrospective cohort study from a university hospital.

Patients

Extremely preterm (gestational age <30 weeks and/or birth weight <1000 g) infants, born between 2012 and 2017, in the University Medical Center Groningen with confirmed PH at/beyond 36 weeks PMA.

Main outcome measures

Survival, mortality rate and PH resolution. Patient characteristics, treatment, presence and evolution of PH were collected from patient charts.

Results

Twenty-eight infants were included. All had BPD, while 23 (82%) had severe BPD and 11 infants (39%) died. Survival rates at 1, 3 and 7 months from 36 weeks PMA were 89%, 70% and 58%, respectively. In 16 of the 17 surviving infants, PH resolved over time, with a resolution rate at 1 and 2 years corrected age of 47% and 79%, respectively. At 2.5 years corrected age, the resolution rate was 94%.

Conclusions

These extremely preterm born infants with PH-BPD had a survival rate of 58% at 6 months corrected age. Suprasystemic pulmonary artery pressure was associated with poor outcome. In the current study, infants surviving beyond the corrected age of 6 months showed excellent survival and resolution of PH in almost all cases. Prospective follow-up studies should investigate whether resolution of PH in these infants can be improved by multi-modal therapies, including respiratory, nutritional and cardiovascular treatments.
Split and partially entwined sciatic nerve following closed reduction of a dislocated hip prosthesis
Authors: Wong Jenn Shiunn , Ng Chong Yew , Suresh Priya , Keenan Jonathan
Published: June 2020

We present a case of split and partially entwined sciatic nerve by a femoral prosthesis following closed reduction of a dislocated hip replacement. This complication is very rare and there are only few cases reported in the literature, with even less accompanied by supporting MRI. We present MRI features of a split and partially entwined sciatic nerve around a hip prosthesis.
Dual spinal accessory nerve: caution during neck dissection
Authors: Danish Muhammad Hassan , Iftikhar Haissan , Ikram Mubasher
Published: June 2020

Preserving the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) is an important step in the modern-day neck dissection to avoid postoperative functional morbidity in patients. This goal can become technically difficult, especially, when rare anatomical variations are encountered. We present a case of dual SAN in a patient undergoing selective neck dissection for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Both SANs were preserved and patient had no shoulder dysfunction postoperatively. We take this opportunity to emphasise that meticulous dissection is the only proven way to preserve the nerve. And that surgeons should be aware of this anatomical variation. SAN should be subjected to minimal traction during neck dissection to avoid tension neuropraxia and long-term shoulder dysfunction.
Novel approach to recording theatre utilisation data using Pinpoint: a wearable real-time location services device
Authors: O'Connell Robert Michael , Balasubramanian Ishwarya , Barron Fionn , Kelly Chris , O'Brien Eoin , Tormey Shona
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Inefficient theatre utilisation is costly for patients, staff and healthcare organisations. Active management projects have proven effective at identifying and streamlining delays in the perioperative patient journey.

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess whether a novel, wearable, autonomous, Wi-Fi-based real-time location services (RTLS) device could be used to accurately record and process theatre utilisation data.

Methods

A novel RTLS device was employed in our theatre department between June and September 2017. Data were collected pertaining to time of arrival and departure from the surgical day ward, operating theatre and recovery using this device, and compared with our institution’s existing written record of theatre data.

Results

101 patients were enrolled, but manually recorded data were unavailable on 18 patients. Among the remaining 83 patients, mean difference in recorded start times was 0.43 min (p=0.64). Mean difference in theatre end times was 1.63 min (p=0.41). Mean difference recorded in overall time in theatre was 1.19 min (p=0.59).

Conclusion

The RTLS device provided a reliable record of theatre utilisation, without requiring manual input, with potential as a tool to identify and improve inefficiencies in the theatre department.
Programmes to support transitions in care for children and youth with complex care needs and their families: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Doucet Shelley , Curran Janet A , Breneol Sydney , Luke Alison , Dionne Emilie , Azar Rima , Reid Amy E , McKibbon Shelley , Horsman Amanda R , Binns Krystal
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Children and youth with complex care needs (CCNs) and their families experience many care transitions over their lifespan and are consequently vulnerable to the discontinuity or gaps in care that can occur during these transitions. Transitional care programmes, broadly defined as one or more intervention(s) or service(s) that aim to improve continuity of care, are increasingly being developed to address transitions in care for children and youth with CCNs. However, this literature has not yet been systematically examined at a comprehensive level. The purpose of this scoping review is to map the range of programmes that support transitions in care for children and youth with CCNs and their families during two phases of their lifespan: (1) up to the age of 19 years (not including their transition to adult healthcare) and (2) when transitioning from paediatric to adult healthcare.

Methods and analysis

The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews (ScR) will be used for the proposed scoping review. ScR are a type of knowledge synthesis that are useful for addressing exploratory research questions that aim to map key concepts and types of evidence on a topic and can be used to organise what is known about the phenomena. A preliminary search of PubMed was conducted in December 2018.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required where this study is a review of the published and publicly reported literature. The research team’s advisory council will develop a research dissemination strategy with goals, target audiences, expertise/leadership, resources and deadlines to maximise project outputs. The end-of-grant activities will be used to raise awareness, promote action and inform future research, policy and practice on this topic.