bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic seismic response analysis of coastal highway bridges under scour and liquefaction conditions: does the hydrodynamic effect matter?
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Pang Yutao , Ye Aijun
Published: December 2020

Coastal highway bridges are usually supported by pile foundations that are submerged in water and embedded into saturated soils. Such sites have been reported susceptible to scour hazard and probably liquefied under strong earthquakes. Existing studies on seismic response analyses of such bridges often ignore the influence of water-induced hydrodynamic effect. This study assesses quantitative impacts of the hydrodynamic effect on seismic responses of coastal highway bridges under scour and liquefaction potential in a probabilistic manner. A coupled soil-bridge finite element model that represents typical coastal highway bridges is excited by two sets of ground motion records that represent two seismic design levels (i.e., low versus high in terms of 10%-50 years versus 2%-50 years). Modeled by the added mass method, the hydrodynamic effect on responses of bridge key components including the bearing deformation, column curvature, and pile curvature is systematically quantified for scenarios with and without liquefaction across different scour depths. It is found that the influence of hydrodynamic effect becomes more noticeable with the increase of scour depths. Nevertheless, it has minor influence on the bearing deformation and column curvature (i.e., percentage changes of the responses are within 5%), regardless of the liquefiable or nonliquefiable scenario under the low or high seismic design level. As for the pile curvature, the hydrodynamic effect under the low seismic design level may remarkably increase the response by as large as 15%–20%, whereas under the high seismic design level, it has ignorable influence on the pile curvature.
Correlates of poor medication adherence in chronic psychotic disorders
Authors: Sajatovic Martha , Mbwambo Jessie , Lema Isaac , Blixen Carol , Aebi Michelle E. , Wilson Betsy , Njiro Godwin , Burant Christopher J. , Cassidy Kristin A. , Levin Jennifer B. , Kaaya Sylvia
Published: December 2020

Background

Chronic psychotic disorders (CPDs) occur worldwide and cause significant burden. Poor medication adherence is pervasive, but has not been well studied in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aims

This cross-sectional survey of 100 poorly adherent Tanzanian patients with CPD characterised clinical features associated with poor adherence.

Method

Descriptive statistics characterised demographic and clinical variables, including barriers to adherence, adherence behaviours and attitudes, and psychiatric symptoms. Measures included the Tablets Routine Questionnaire, Drug Attitudes Inventory, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impressions scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test. The relationship between adherence and other clinical variables was evaluated.

Results

Mean age was 35.7 years (s.d. 8.8), 61% were male and 80% had schizophrenia, with a mean age at onset of 22.4 (s.d. 7.6) years. Mean proportion of missed CPD medication was 64%. One in ten had alcohol dependence. Most individuals had multiple adherence barriers. Most clinical variables were not significantly associated with the Tablets Routine Questionnaire; however, in-patients with CPD were more likely to have worse adherence (P ≤ 0.01), as were individuals with worse medication attitudes (Drug Attitudes Inventory, P < 0.01), higher CPD symptom severity levels (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, P < 0.001) and higher-risk use of alcohol (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Poorly adherent patients had multiple barriers to adherence, including poor attitudes toward medication and treatment, high illness acuity and substance use comorbidity. Treatments need to address adherence barriers, and consider family supports and challenges from an intergenerational perspective.
Autistic traits and mental health in women with the fragile-X premutation: maternal status versus genetic risk
Authors: White Sarah J. , Gerber Denise , Sanchez Hernandez Romina D. , Efiannayi Anthonia , Chowdhury Ishita , Partington Hannah , Moss Joanna F.
Published: December 2020

Background

Research on women with the fragile-X premutation (FX-p) has been underrepresented within the field of behavioural phenotypes.

Aims

To understand whether the FX-p confers risk for autistic traits, depression and anxiety, independent of maternal status.

Method

In study 1, mothers of children with fragile-X syndrome (M-FXp; n = 51, mean age 43 years (s.d. = 5.80)) were compared with mothers of autistic children (M-ASD; n = 59, mean age 42 (s.d. = 5.80)), mothers of children with Smith-Magenis syndrome (M-SMS; n = 27, mean age 39 (s.d. = 7.20)) and mothers of typically developing children (M-TD; n = 44, mean age 40 (s.d. = 4.90)). In study 2, the M-FXp group were compared with non-mothers with the FX-p (NM-FXp; n = 17, mean age 32 (s.d. = 9.20)), typically developed non-mothers (NM-TD; n = 28, mean age 31 (s.d. = 6.80)) and the M-TD group. All participants completed an online survey, including measures of IQ, autistic traits, anxiety, depression and positive affect.

Results

In study 1: the M-FXp group reported more autistic traits than the M-TD group (P < 0.05, η2 = 0.046). Anxiety and parental stress were elevated in the M-FXp, M-SMS and M-ASD groups relative to the M-TD group (all P ≤ 0.003, η2 = 0.079–0.322). In study 2: a main effect of premutation status indicated that women with the FX-p report elevated autistic traits and anxiety (P ≤ 0.007, η2 = 0.055–0.060); this did not interact with maternal status.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that women with the FX-p show an increased risk for autistic traits and anxiety. This risk is specific to the presence of the FX-p and is not fully accounted for by maternal status or the stress of caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
White Swan: On Possible Further Additions to the Oeuvre of a Crow Warrior-Artist
Authors: Lycett Stephen J. , Keyser James D.
Published: December 2020

Crow warrior-artist White Swan authored more biographic images than any other Historic-period Crow artist. It has even been suggested that he drew one rock art scene at the historically important petroglyphs at Joliet, Montana. Here, the authors evaluate the likelihood that the Joliet scene is a White Swan drawing, and they also evaluate the possibility that one of the “anonymous” ledger drawings in the Barstow collection was drawn by him. Unfortunately, neither drawing has sufficient similarities to known White Swan drawings to be classified as such. Instead, these drawings indicate there were likely far many more Crow men who could execute pictographic narratives of style and content similar to those produced by White Swan than has so far been reported in the anthropological literature.
Cardiac Responses to Prenatal Resistance Exercise with and without the Valsalva Maneuver
Authors: MEAH VICTORIA L. , STRYNADKA MORGAN C. , STEINBACK CRAIG D. , DAVENPORT MARGIE H.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Exercise guidelines recommend incorporating resistance exercise (RE) into a regular aerobic training program during pregnancy. However, few women do so because of uncertainties about the safety of prenatal RE, particularly regarding the Valsalva maneuver (VM). The aim of this study was to determine the acute cardiovascular responses to prenatal RE at different intensities, with and without VM.

Methods

Healthy pregnant (n = 15; 22.9 ± 5.9 wk of gestation) and nonpregnant women (n = 15) were recruited. Maximal strength over 10 repetitions (10RM) for semireclined leg press was determined. Women underwent standardized assessments of cardiac structure, function and mechanics (echocardiography), heart rate (ECG), and blood pressure (photoplethysmography) at baseline, during RE at 20%, 40%, and 60% 10RM while free-breathing, and at 40% 10RM with VM. Significant differences were identified between subjects at baseline (independent t-tests), between and within subjects during free-breathing RE (general linear model, baseline as a covariate), and between and within subjects for 40% 10RM free-breathing versus VM (mixed-effects model).

Results

Resting cardiac output, heart rate, and stroke volume were greater in pregnant women, without differences in blood pressure, ejection fraction, or cardiac mechanics. During free-breathing RE, pregnant women had a greater ejection fraction compared with nonpregnant women; however, all other hemodynamic variables were not different between groups. Cardiac mechanics during free-breathing RE across all intensities were not different between groups, with the exception that pregnant women had a lower apical circumferential strain that did not affect global cardiac function. No differences were observed between groups during 40% 10RM RE with and without VM.

Conclusions

Pregnant women have proportionate cardiac responses to light-moderate RE, both with and without the VM. These findings reinforce the safety of RE in healthy pregnancy.
Tejiendo sentidos y aprendizajes en la formación inicial con la Lesson Study. Un estudio de casos.
Authors: Rodríguez Robles Cristina , Soto Gómez Encarnación
Published: December 2020

La formación inicial requiere una transformación profunda de los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje para estimular la reconstrucción del conocimiento práctico de los futuros docentes. La Lesson Study (LS), como numerosas investigaciones evidencian, puede convertirse en un privilegiado escenario de reflexión y acción cooperativa para estimular el desarrollo del pensamiento práctico de los docentes en activo. En el ámbito de la formación inicial del profesorado, aunque con menos estudios y evidencias, este modelo de investigación alumbra también interesantes hallazgos. En el presente artículo presentamos los resultados de un estudio de caso sobre una experiencia que incorpora la LS a través del Prácticum y el Trabajo Fin de Grado en la formación inicial. Los principales hallazgos de esta investigación señalan que la LS, a través de sus diferentes fases, es el factor clave para la reconstrucción del conocimiento práctico del caso investigado. En concreto, el énfasis en centrar la mirada en los niños y niñas, el diseño y desarrollo cooperativo, reflexivo y tutorizado de la propuesta didáctica, aparecen como las influencias más significativas.
Eurosceptycyzm w doktrynie partii konserwatywnej
Authors: SADOWSKA-WIECIECH Elżbieta
Published: December 2020

Euroscepticism in the Conservative Party

Membership in European Union has become one of the most crucial and controversial issues in British politics in recent years. Eurosceptics from United Kingdom Independent Party were exhorting to leave the EU and more and more British people had supported them. David Cameron who was leading the government since 2010 had to express a conservative view on the matter. He had announced his plan to renegotiate the terms of EU membership and hold a referendum on the  results, asking British people to vote for what he thought the only right choice – staying in European Union. But not all Tories shared that belief. This article examines the issue of Euroscepticism in Conservative Party analyzing its doctrinal as well as political origins and its influence on the government.
On the Use of Probabilistic Uncertain Rewards on Crowdfunding Platforms: The Case of the Lottery
Authors: Gong Jing , Pavlou Paul A. , Zheng Zuyin (Alvin)
Published: December 2020

Crowdfunding aims to collect investments from many backers to support a project posted by fundraisers. This study examines how backers respond to the lottery—a type of probabilistic uncertain reward—and how their motivations shape their responses to probabilistic uncertain rewards. Using data collected from a reward-based crowdfunding platform, we find that although the lottery helps to attract a higher number of backers on a crowdfunding project, the lottery also reduces the total money raised by the project and thus the probability of reaching its funding goal. Specifically, although the lottery incentivizes individuals who would otherwise not fund the project to become (small) lottery backers, the lottery also cannibalizes regular prospective rewardees and donors by encouraging them to opt for the (cheaper) lottery option. Second, the effects of the lottery are stronger in the earlier stages of a project’s fundraising cycle. Third, the lottery has larger effects on backers with higher prior tendencies to be donors than rewardees. Notably, from a practical standpoint, our study informs fundraisers on how to design strategies to attract the right type of backers and crowdfunding platform managers on how to leverage the lottery as a type of probabilistic uncertain reward on crowdfunding platforms.
Finite-State Contract Theory with a Principal and a Field of Agents
Authors: Carmona René , Wang Peiqi
Published: December 2020

We use the recently developed probabilistic analysis of mean field games with finitely many states in the weak formulation to set up a principal/agent contract theory model where the principal faces a large population of agents interacting in a mean field manner. We reduce the problem to the optimal control of dynamics of the McKean-Vlasov type, and we solve this problem explicitly for a class of models with concave rewards. The paper concludes with a numerical example demonstrating the power of the results when applied to an example of epidemic containment.

This paper was accepted by Baris Ata, stochastic models and simulation.
The Efficiency of Resource Allocation Mechanisms for Budget-Constrained Users
Authors: Caragiannis Ioannis , Voudouris Alexandros A.
Published: December 2020

We study the efficiency of mechanisms for allocating a divisible resource. Given scalar signals submitted by all users, such a mechanism decides the fraction of the resource that each user will receive and a payment that will be collected from her. Users are self-interested and aim to maximize their utility (defined as their value for the resource fraction they receive minus their payment). Starting with the seminal work of Johari and Tsitsiklis, a long list of papers studied the price of anarchy (in terms of the social welfare—the total users’ value) of resource allocation mechanisms for a variety of allocation and payment rules. Here, we further assume that each user has a budget constraint that invalidates strategies that yield a payment that is higher than the user’s budget. This subtle assumption, which is arguably more realistic, constitutes the traditional price of anarchy analysis meaningless as the set of equilibria may change drastically and their social welfare can be arbitrarily far from optimal. Instead, we study the price of anarchy using the liquid welfare benchmark that measures efficiency taking budget constraints into account. We show a tight bound of 2 on the liquid price of anarchy of the well-known Kelly mechanism and prove that this result is essentially best possible among all multiuser resource allocation mechanisms. This comes in sharp contrast to the no-budget setting where there are mechanisms that considerably outperform Kelly in terms of social welfare and even achieve full efficiency. In our proofs, we exploit the particular structure of worst-case games and equilibria, which also allows us to design (nearly) optimal two-player mechanisms by solving simple differential equations.
An overview of enteral feeding in the community
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: December 2020

Enteral feeding in community settings is becoming increasingly common, and this article aims to help nurses and other healthcare professionals to refresh their knowledge of the important concepts in the community-based care of patients receiving enteral nutrition via a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The article provides an overview on the management and care of the patient, the basic principles surrounding the equipment used, identifying the wider team and essential communication to bear in mind, as well as the importance of tailoring a care plan to the individual's needs, taking into consideration cognition, mental health, social needs and other factors. The article also covers red flags that may be seen in the community after tube insertion that require immediate medical attention.
Cuba, agriculture and socialist renewal
Authors: Hanon Ingrid
Published: December 2020

This paper aims to analyse the trajectory and dynamics of Cuban agriculture since the Revolution. It examines the main challenges, divergences and contradictions of its socialist strategy in the agrarian sector, stressing the limits of the industrial and agricultural models and the forces of production inherited from the capitalist world. For this purpose, I examine changes and continuities in terms of land management, crop production, the technological model and agricultural policy. Finally, I look at Cuban agriculture transformations in the 1990s from a social and solidarity economy perspective, signalling their contributions to the renewal of Cuban socialism.
‘I would rather go on being underdeveloped.’ Rereading and
recontextualising Edmundo Desnoes's 1965 novel Memorias del
subdesarrollo
Authors: Rowlandson William
Published: December 2020

This article follows two lines of inquiry. First, it provides a rereading of the
novel Memorias del subdesarrollo (Desnoes 1965), suggesting
that the protagonist, Sergio, is affected by the threat of nuclear war
throughout the novel and that this fear dominates the text from the outset, and
not just the novel's ending during the Missile Crisis of October 1962. It argues
that Sergio's state of anxiety and inertia derive as much from this fear as from
his intellectual detachment and problematic relationship with the Cuban
Revolution, where critical attention has tended to focus. This rereading gives
texture to Sergio's inaction and nihilism, revealing a coherent response of an
individual to the threat of catastrophe. Secondly, this article sets this
rereading against a new context of catastrophe: that of climate change,
ecosystem collapse and species extinction. In this context an overlooked
revolutionary fervour is detected in Sergio that provides a reading of hope in
the narrative that, when read analogously against the present, may reflect a
sense of hope against calamity.
High-power vacuum terahertz photomixer and integrated circuits based on microscale phototubes
Authors: Dai Jun , Ruan Cunjun , Ding Yikun , Yan Zhiwen
Published: December 2020

Technologies and industrials in long-distance communication, detection, and imaging applications are still in great need of higher-output-power terahertz sources. This paper proposes two kinds of microscale vacuum phototube based high-power terahertz source: vacuum photomixer and terahertz integrated circuit. The principle of photomixer based on photoemission and field-assisted photoemission is demonstrated. Its capability of producing radiation power beyond 1 mW is estimated based on theoretical analysis and experimental evidence. Simulation and theoretical analysis have shown that the fundamental THz photodiode devices can operate with a space-charge limited current density of 4496 A/cm2 at 60 V, and the amplifier circuits are calculated to have a gain performance of around 10 dB. The two photoemission-based roadmaps have the potential to be developed from an emerging and interdisciplinary field to more promising future directions of THz science and technology.
Tailor-made unitary operations using dielectric metasurfaces
Authors: Kang Ming , Lau Kai Ming , Yung Tsz Kit , Du Shengwang , Tam Wing Yim , Li Jensen
Published: December 2020

Qubit operation belonging to unitary transformation is the fundamental operation to realize quantum computing and information processing. Here, we show that the complex and flexible light-matter interaction between dielectric metasurfaces and incident light can be used to perform arbitrary U(2) operations. By incorporating both coherent spatial-mode operation together with two polarizations on a single metasurface, we further extend the discussion to single-photon two-qubit U(4) operations. We believe the efficient usage of metasurfaces as a potential compact platform can simplify optical qubit operation from bulky systems into conceptually subwavelength elements.
Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:ZnS oscillator reaches the spectral span of an optical octave
Authors: Vasilyev Sergey , Moskalev Igor , Smolski Viktor , Peppers Jeremy , Mirov Mike , Barnakov Yury , Fedorov Vladimir , Martyshkin Dmitry , Mirov Sergey , Gapontsev Valentin
Published: December 2020

We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first super-octave femtosecond polycrystalline Cr:ZnS laser at the central wavelength 2.4 µm. The laser is based on a non-polarizing astigmatic X-folded resonator with normal incidence mounting of the gain element. The chromatic dispersion of the resonator is controlled with a set of dispersive mirrors within one third of an optical octave over 2.05–2.6 µm range. The resonator’s optics is highly reflective in the range 1.8–2.9 µm. The components of the oscillator’s output spectrum at the wavelengths 1.6 µm and 3.2 µm are detected at –60 dB with respect to the main peak. Average power of few-cycle Kerr-lens mode-locked laser is 1.4 W at the pulse repetition frequency 79 MHz. That corresponds to 22% conversion of cw radiation of Er-doped fiber laser, which we used for optical pumping of the Cr:ZnS oscillator.
Security screening system based on terahertz-wave spectroscopic gas detection
Authors: Takida Yuma , Nawata Kouji , Minamide Hiroaki
Published: December 2020

Tunable terahertz (THz)-wave absorption spectroscopy is a promising technique to detect trace gases suspended in ambient air owing to their strong absorption fingerprints in the THz-wave spectral region. Here, we present a THz-wave spectroscopic gas detection platform based on a frequency-tunable injection-seeded THz-wave parametric generator and compact multipass gas absorption cells. Using a 1.8-m-path-length multipass cell, we detected gas-phase methanol (CH3OH) down to a trace concentration of 0.2 ppm at the 1.48-THz transparent atmospheric window. We also developed a transportable walk-through screening prototype using a 6-m-path-length multipass cell to identify suspicious subjects. Our results demonstrate the potential of the proposed system for security screening applications.
Linearity optimization of multi-octave analog photonic links based on power weighting, polarization multiplexing and bias control
Authors: Wang Wuying , Fan Yangyu , Wang Ruiqiong , Chen Bo , Kang Bochao , Gao Yongsheng
Published: December 2020

We present and demonstrate an approach to linearizing analog photonic links (APLs) with substantially enhanced multi-octave spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR). Combining with power weighting, polarization multiplexing and bias control techniques, the proposed approach enables the second-order harmonic distortion (HD2) and third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) to be suppressed simultaneously. To maximize the RF output power, an optimization model is established. The simulation results indicate that the maximum RF power can be attained when the power weighting factor and polarization incident angle are equal to 0.5 and 0.34 radians, respectively. The link is validated with a proof-of-principle experiment. The third-order SFDR is 112.3 dB·Hz2/3, corresponding to the improvement of 15.5 dB as compared with a quadrature-biased link. The second-order SFDR reaches as high as 94.6 dB·Hz1/2. Furthermore, the adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) is measured to be up to 54.6 dBc, which is 5.4 dB greater than that of a quadrature-biased link. Finally, the system tolerances for the RF and optical input power are also investigated in terms of error vector magnitudes (EVMs). Therefore, by introducing optimization model, our scheme provides further insight into the APL linearization technique and a better performance is also achieved.
Hybrid CO2-Ti:sapphire laser with tunable pulse duration for mid-infrared-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy
Authors: Budden M. , Gebert T. , Cavalleri A.
Published: December 2020

We describe a mid-infrared pump – terahertz-probe setup based on a CO2 laser seeded with 10.6 μm wavelength pulses from an optical parametric amplifier, itself pumped by a Ti:Al2O3 laser. The output of the seeded CO2 laser produces high power pulses of nanosecond duration, which are synchronized to the femtosecond laser. These pulses can be tuned in pulse duration by slicing their front and back edges with semiconductor-plasma mirrors irradiated by replicas of the femtosecond seed laser pulses. Variable pulse lengths from 5 ps to 1.3 ns are achieved, and used in mid-infrared pump, terahertz-probe experiments with probe pulses generated and electro-optically sampled by the femtosecond laser.
Numerical analysis of tiny-focal-spot generation by focusing linearly, circularly, and radially polarized beams through a micro/nanoparticle
Authors: Shi Rui , Wang Zongzhao , Hung Shih-Te , Hellmann Christian , Wyrowski Frank
Published: December 2020

Obtaining a tiny focal spot is desired for super resolution. We do a vectorial numerical analysis of the linearly, circularly, and radidally polarized electromagnetic fields being focused through a dielectric micro/nanoparticle of size comparable to the wavelength. We find tiny focal spots (up to

∼
0.05
 

λ

2

) can be obtained behind micro/nanoparticles of various shapes, e.g. spherical, disk-shaped, and cuboid micro/nanoparticles. Furthermore, we also investigate the influence of the misalignment of a real lens system on the tiny focal spots. We find that tiny focal spots can still be generated even though they are distorted due to the misalignment.
Increased prostaglandin-D2 in male STAT3-deficient hearts shifts cardiac progenitor cells from endothelial to white adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Stelling Elisabeth , Ricke-Hoch Melanie , Erschow Sergej , Hoffmann Steve , Bergmann Anke Katharina , Heimerl Maren , Pietzsch Stefan , Battmer Karin , Haase Alexandra , Stapel Britta , Scherr Michaela , Balligand Jean-Luc , Binah Ofer , Hilfiker-Kleiner Denise
Published: December 2020

Cardiac levels of the signal transducer and activator of transcription factor-3 (STAT3) decline with age, and male but not female mice with a cardiomyocyte-specific STAT3 deficiency conditional knockout (CKO) display premature age-related heart failure associated with reduced cardiac capillary density. In the present study, isolated male and female CKO-cardiomyocytes exhibit increased prostaglandin (PG)-generating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The PG-degrading hydroxyprostaglandin-dehydrogenase-15 (HPGD) expression is only reduced in male cardiomyocytes, which is associated with increased prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) secretion from isolated male but not female CKO-cardiomyocytes. Reduced HPGD expression in male cardiomyocytes derive from impaired androgen receptor (AR)–signaling due to loss of its cofactor STAT3. Elevated PGD2 secretion in males is associated with increased white adipocyte accumulation in aged male but not female hearts. Adipocyte differentiation is enhanced in isolated stem cell antigen-1 (SCA-1)+ cardiac progenitor cells (CPC) from young male CKO-mice compared with the adipocyte differentiation of male wild-type (WT)-CPC and CPC isolated from female mice. Epigenetic analysis in freshly isolated male CKO-CPC display hypermethylation in pro-angiogenic genes (Fgfr2, Epas1) and hypomethylation in the white adipocyte differentiation gene Zfp423 associated with up-regulated ZFP423 expression and a shift from endothelial to white adipocyte differentiation compared with WT-CPC. The expression of the histone-methyltransferase EZH2 is reduced in male CKO-CPC compared with male WT-CPC, whereas no differences in the EZH2 expression in female CPC were observed. Clonally expanded CPC can differentiate into endothelial cells or into adipocytes depending on the differentiation conditions. ZFP423 overexpression is sufficient to induce white adipocyte differentiation of clonal CPC. In isolated WT-CPC, PGD2 stimulation reduces the expression of EZH2, thereby up-regulating ZFP423 expression and promoting white adipocyte differentiation. The treatment of young male CKO mice with the COX inhibitor Ibuprofen or the PGD2 receptor (DP)2 receptor antagonist BAY-u 3405 in vivo increased EZH2 expression and reduced ZFP423 expression and adipocyte differentiation in CKO-CPC. Thus, cardiomyocyte STAT3 deficiency leads to age-related and sex-specific cardiac remodeling and failure in part due to sex-specific alterations in PGD2 secretion and subsequent epigenetic impairment of the differentiation potential of CPC. Causally involved is the impaired AR signaling in absence of STAT3, which reduces the expression of the PG-degrading enzyme HPGD.
Signatures of host–pathogen evolutionary conflict reveal MISTR—A conserved MItochondrial STress Response network
Authors: Sorouri Mahsa , Chang Tyron , Jesudhasan Palmy , Pinkham Chelsea , Elde Nels C. , Hancks Dustin C.
Published: December 2020

Host–pathogen conflicts leave genetic signatures in genes that are critical for host defense functions. Using these “molecular scars” as a guide to discover gene functions, we discovered a vertebrate-specific MItochondrial STress Response (MISTR) circuit. MISTR proteins are associated with electron transport chain (ETC) factors and activated by stress signals such as interferon gamma (IFNγ) and hypoxia. Upon stress, ultraconserved microRNAs (miRNAs) down-regulate MISTR1(NDUFA4) followed by replacement with paralogs MItochondrial STress Response AntiViral (MISTRAV) and/or MItochondrial STress Response Hypoxia (MISTRH). While cells lacking MISTR1(NDUFA4) are more sensitive to chemical and viral apoptotic triggers, cells lacking MISTRAV or expressing the squirrelpox virus-encoded vMISTRAV exhibit resistance to the same insults. Rapid evolution signatures across primate genomes for MISTR1(NDUFA4) and MISTRAV indicate recent and ongoing conflicts with pathogens. MISTR homologs are also found in plants, yeasts, a fish virus, and an algal virus indicating ancient origins and suggesting diverse means of altering mitochondrial function under stress. The discovery of MISTR circuitry highlights the use of evolution-guided studies to reveal fundamental biological processes.
Regulation of glial size by eicosapentaenoic acid through a novel Golgi apparatus mechanism
Authors: Zhang Albert , Guan Ziqiang , Ockerman Kyle , Dong Pengyuan , Guo Jiansheng , Wang Zhiping , Yan Dong
Published: December 2020

Coordination of cell growth is essential for the development of the brain, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of glial and neuronal size are poorly understood. To investigate the mechanisms involved in glial size regulation, we usedCaenorhabditis elegansamphid sheath (AMsh) glia as a model and show that a conservedcis-Golgi membrane proteineas-1/GOLT1Bnegatively regulates glial growth. We found thateas-1inhibits a conserved E3 ubiquitin ligasernf-145/RNF145, which, in turn, promotes nuclear activation ofsbp-1/SREBP, a key regulator of sterol and fatty acid synthesis, to restrict cell growth. At early developmental stages,rnf-145in thecis-Golgi network inhibitssbp-1activation to promote the growth of glia, and when animals reach the adult stage, this inhibition is released through aneas-1-dependent shuttling ofrnf-145from thecis-Golgi to thetrans-Golgi network to stop glial growth. Furthermore, we identified long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as downstream products of theeas-1-rnf-145-sbp-1pathway that functions to prevent the overgrowth of glia. Together, our findings reveal a novel and potentially conserved mechanism underlying glial size control.
Modeling habitat connectivity in support of multiobjective species movement: An application to amphibian habitat systems
Authors: Matisziw Timothy C. , Gholamialam Ashkan , Trauth Kathleen M.
Published: December 2020

Reasoning about the factors underlying habitat connectivity and the inter-habitat movement of species is essential to many areas of biological inquiry. In order to better describe and understand the ways in which the landscape may support species movement, an increasing amount of research has focused on identification of paths or corridors that may be important in providing connectivity among habitat. The least-cost path problem has proven to be an instrumental analytical tool in this sense. A complicating aspect of such path identification methods is how to best reconcile and integrate the array of criteria or objectives that species may consider in traversal of a landscape. In cases where habitat connectivity is thought to be influenced or guided by multiple objectives, numerous solutions to least-cost path problems can exist, representing tradeoffs between the objectives. In practice though, identification of these solutions can be very challenging and as such, only a small proportion of them are typically examined leading to a weak characterization of habitat connectivity. To address this computational challenge, a multiobjective optimization framework is proposed. A generalizable multiobjective least-cost path model is first detailed. A non-inferior set estimation (MONISE) algorithm for identifying supported efficient solutions to the multiobjective least-cost path model is then described. However, it is well known that unsupported efficient solutions (which are equally important) can also exist, but are typically ignored given that they are more difficult to identify. Thus, to enable the identification of the full set of efficient solutions (supported and unsupported) to the multiobjective model, a multi-criteria labeling algorithm is then proposed. The developed framework is applied to assess different conceptualizations of habitat connectivity supporting amphibian movement in a wetland system. The results highlight the range of tradeoffs in characterizations of connectivity that can exist when multiple objectives are thought to contribute to movement decisions and that the number of unsupported efficient solutions (which are typically ignored) can vastly outweigh that of the supported efficient solutions.
Genetic background and PfKelch13 affect artemisinin susceptibility of PfCoronin mutants in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Sharma Aabha I. , Shin Sara H. , Bopp Selina , Volkman Sarah K. , Hartl Daniel L. , Wirth Dyann F.
Published: December 2020

Malaria continues to impose a significant health burden in the continent of Africa with 213 million cases in 2018 alone, representing 93% of cases worldwide. Because of high transmission of malaria within the continent, the selection pressures to develop drug resistance in African parasites are distinct compared to the rest of the world. In light of the spread of resistance to artemisinin conferred by the C580Y mutation in the PfKelch13 propeller domain in Southeast Asia, and its independent emergence in South America, it is important to study genetic determinants of resistance in the African context using African parasites. Through in vitro evolution of Senegalese parasites, we had previously generated the artemisinin-resistant parasites Pikine_R and Thiès_R and established pfcoronin mutations to be sufficient to confer artemisinin resistance in the standard ring-stage survival assay (RSA). In the current study, we used genetic analysis of revertants to demonstrate pfcoronin to be the major driver of elevated RSA in the artemisinin-resistant parasites Pikine_R and Thiès_R evolved in vitro. We interrogated the role of a second gene PF3D7_1433800, which also had mutations in both the Pikine_R and Thiès_R selected lines, but found no evidence of a contribution to reduced susceptibility in the RSA survival assay. Nevertheless, our genetic analysis demonstrates that parasite genetic background is important in the level of pfcoronin mediated RSA survival, and therefore we cannot rule out a role for PF3D7_1433800 in other genetic backgrounds. Finally, we tested the potential synergy between the mutations of pfcoronin and pfkelch13 through the generation of single and double mutants in the Pikine genetic background and found that the contribution of pfcoronin to reduced susceptibility is masked by the presence of pfkelch13. This phenomenon was also observed in the 3D7 background, suggesting that pfcoronin may mediate its effects via the same pathway as pfkelch13. Investigating the biology of proteins containing the beta-propeller domain could further elucidate the different pathways that the parasite could use to attain resistance.
Increased virulence of Puccinia coronata f. sp.avenae populations through allele frequency changes at multiple putative Avr loci
Authors: Miller Marisa E. , Nazareno Eric S. , Rottschaefer Susan M. , Riddle Jakob , Dos Santos Pereira Danilo , Li Feng , Nguyen-Phuc Hoa , Henningsen Eva C. , Persoons Antoine , Saunders Diane G. O. , Stukenbrock Eva , Dodds Peter N. , Kianian Shahryar F. , Figueroa Melania
Published: December 2020

Pathogen populations are expected to evolve virulence traits in response to resistance deployed in agricultural settings. However, few temporal datasets have been available to characterize this process at the population level. Here, we examined two temporally separated populations ofPuccinia coronataf. sp.avenae(Pca), which causes crown rust disease in oat (Avena sativa) sampled from 1990 to 2015. We show that a substantial increase in virulence occurred from 1990 to 2015 and this was associated with a genetic differentiation between populations detected by genome-wide sequencing. We found strong evidence for genetic recombination in these populations, showing the importance of the alternate host in generating genotypic variation through sexual reproduction. However, asexual expansion of some clonal lineages was also observed within years. Genome-wide association analysis identified sevenAvrloci associated with virulence towards fifteenPcresistance genes in oat and suggests that some groups ofPcgenes recognize the same pathogen effectors. The temporal shift in virulence patterns in thePcapopulations between 1990 and 2015 is associated with changes in allele frequency in these genomic regions. Nucleotide diversity patterns at a singleAvrlocus corresponding toPc38,Pc39,Pc55,Pc63,Pc70, andPc71showed evidence of a selective sweep associated with the shift to virulence towards these resistance genes in all 2015 collected isolates.
Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Kurscheid Johanna , Laksono Budi , Park M. J. , Clements Archie C. A. , Sadler Ross , McCarthy James S. , Nery Susana V. , Soares-Magalhaes Ricardo , Halton Kate , Hadisaputro Suharyo , Richardson Alice , Indjein Léa , Wangdi Kinley , Stewart Donald E. , Gray Darren J.
Published: December 2020

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Indonesia. However, prevalence data for many parts of the country are incomplete. The aim of this study was to determine human STH prevalence and knowledge and practices relating to STH risk behaviour, to provide a current view of the status of STH infection in rural communities in Central Java. A cross-sectional survey of 16 villages was conducted in Semarang, Central Java in 2015. Demographic and household data together with information about knowledge and practices relating to STH and hygiene were elicited through face-to-face interviews. Stool samples were collected and examined using the flotation method. Children (aged 2–12 years) also had their haemoglobin (Hb) levels, height and weight data collected, and BMI estimated. Data were analysed using univariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 6,466 individuals with a mean age of 33.5 years (range: 2–93) from 2,195 households were interviewed. The overall prevalence of STH was 33.8% with Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) the predominant nematode identified (prevalence = 26.0%). Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) were found in 7.9% and 1.8% of participants, respectively. Females were at increased odds of infection with A. lumbricoides (adjusted OR 1.14, 95% CI [1.02–1.29], p = 0.02). Adults in age groups 51–60 and over 60 years had the highest odds of being infected with hookworm (adjusted OR 3.01, 95% CI [1.84–4.91], p<0.001 and adjusted OR 3.79, 95% CI [2.30–6.26], p<0.001, respectively) compared to 6–12 year olds. Farmers also had higher odds of being infected with hookworm (adjusted OR 2.36, 95% CI [1.17–4.76], p = 0.02) compared to other occupation categories. Poverty (OR 2.14, 95% CI [1.77–2.58], p<0.001), overcrowding (OR 1.35, 95% CI [1.27–1.44], p<0.001), goat ownership (OR 1.61, 95% CI [1.10–2.41], p = 0.02) and the presence of dry floor space in the home (OR 0.73, 95% CI [0.58–0.91], p = 0.01) were all household factors significantly associated with an increased odds of infection. Infection with STH was not significantly associated with the gastrointestinal illness (p>0.05), BMI or Hb levels; however, one third of all 2–12 year olds surveyed were found to be anaemic (i.e. Hb concentrations below 110g/l or 115g/l for children under 5 and 5 years or older, respectively), with a greater proportion of school-age children at risk. Knowledge and behaviour related to hygiene and gastrointestinal diseases varied widely and were generally not associated with STH infection. The study revealed that STH infection remains endemic in Central Java despite ongoing deworming programs. Current control efforts would benefit from being re-evaluated to determine a more effective way forward.
Immunohistological detection of small particles of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus in lymph nodes is associated with enlarged lymph nodes in alveolar and cystic echinococcosis
Authors: Grimm Johannes , Nell Juliane , Hillenbrand Andreas , Henne-Bruns Doris , Schmidberger Julian , Kratzer Wolfgang , Gruener Beate , Graeter Tilmann , Reinehr Michael , Weber Achim , Deplazes Peter , Möller Peter , Beck Annika , Barth Thomas F. E.
Published: December 2020

Background

Alveolar (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans are caused by the metacestode of the tapewormsEchinococcus multilocularisandEchinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.). Immunohistochemistry with the monoclonal antibodies (mAb) Em2G11, specific for AE, and the mAb EmG3, specific for AE and CE, is an important pillar of the histological diagnosis of these two infections. Our aim was to further evaluate mAb EmG3 in a diagnostic setting and to analyze in detail the localization, distribution, and impact ofsmallparticles ofEchinococcusmultilocularis(spems) andsmallparticles ofEchinococcusgranulosuss.l. (spegs) on lymph nodes.

Methodology/principal findings

We evaluated the mAb EmG3 in a cohort of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) specimens of AE (n = 360) and CE (n = 178). These samples originated from 156 AE-patients and 77 CE-patients. mAb EmG3 showed a specific staining of the metacestode stadium ofE.multilocularisandE.granulosus s.l. and had a higher sensitivity for spems than mAb Em2G11. Furthermore, we detected spegs in the surrounding host tissue and in almost all tested lymph nodes (39/41) of infected patients. 38/47 lymph nodes of AE showed a positive reaction for spems with mAb EmG3, whereas 29/47 tested positive when stained with mAb Em2G11. Spegs were detected in the germinal centers, co-located with CD23-positive follicular dendritic cells, and were present in the sinuses. Likewise, lymph nodes with spems and spegs in AE and CE were significantly enlarged in size in comparison to the control group.

Conclusions/significance

mAb EmG3 is specific for AE and CE and is a valuable tool in the histological diagnosis of echinococcosis. Based on the observed staining patterns, we hypothesize that the interaction between parasite and host is not restricted to the main lesion since spegs are detected in lymph nodes. Moreover, in AE the number of spems-affected lymph nodes is higher than previously assumed. The enlargement of lymph nodes with spems and spegs points to an immunological interaction with the small immunogenic particles (spems and spegs) ofEchinococcus spp.
Improving dog bite victim survey and estimation of annual human deaths due to suspected rabies cases in three selected Liberian cities and environs, 2008–2017
Authors: Olugasa Babasola Oluseyi , Jomah Nykoi Dormon , Dogba John Bobo , Ishola Olayinka Olabisi , Olarinmoye Ayodeji Oluwadare , Adeola Oluwagbenga Adebayo , Ojo Johnson Funminiyi , Aldosari Ali Abdullah
Published: December 2020

Rabies remains a public health challenge of unknown magnitude in Liberia in spite of the goal of ensuring that no human in the country dies of rabies by 2030. The annual prevalence of Dog Bite Victims (DBVs) and true load of Annual Human Deaths (AHDs) due to rabies were not known. We investigated three selected cities of Liberia for annual prevalence of DBVs and true load of AHD due to suspected rabies, using 10–year retrospective record, 2008–2017 obtained from Buchanan, Gbarnga, and Voinjama, three socio-economically important cities in post-conflict Liberia. Data were sourced at County Reference Hospitals and at the Liberia National Institute of Health for these cities and their local environs. In addition, household questionnaire survey was used to identify and audit data quality for unreported DBVs, and treatment received from traditional caregivers. The proportion was used to audit the 10-year data on unreported DBVs in the cities. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize annual DBVs over the 10-year period in the three cities, respectively. A standardized clinical decision tree model was used to estimate AHDs due to suspected rabies. Based on questionnaire survey, 140/365, 148/375 and 146/350 DBVs did not visit any orthodox health facility in Buchanan, Gbarnga and Voinjama cities, respectively in 2014. An estimated total of 559 DBVs died of suspected rabies in the three cities and their environs during the 10-year period. Mean yearly prevalence of DBVs was 179±106.82, 393±257.85 and 76.9±38.11 per 100,000 population, while mean AHDs due to suspected rabies was 14.3±8.47, 35.5±23.25, and 6.1±3.21 per 100,000 population in Buchanan, Gbarnga, and Voinjama cities, respectively. The present findings provide annual prevalence of suspected rabies cases, corrected for under-reporting in three selected cities of Liberia. The findings would be useful in planning for stepwise actions towards rabies elimination, ensuring that no human dies of rabies in Liberia by 2030.