bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome scale modeling of the protein secretory pathway reveals novel targets for improved recombinant protein production in yeast
Authors: Li Feiran , Chen Yu , Qi Qi , Wang Yanyan , Yuan Le , Huang Mingtao , Elsemman Ibrahim E. , Feizi Amir , Kerkhoven Eduard J , Nielsen Jens
Published: October 2021

Eukaryal cells are used for the production of many recombinant pharmaceutical proteins, including several of the current top-selling products. The protein secretory pathway in eukaryal cells is complex and involves many different processes such as post-translational modifications, translocation, and folding. Furthermore, recombinant protein production competes with native secretory proteins for the limited energy and proteome resources allocated to the protein secretory pathway. Due to the complexity of this pathway, improvement through metabolic engineering has traditionally been relatively ad-hoc; and considering the industrial importance of this pathway, there is a need for more systematic approaches for novel design principles. Here, we present the first proteome-constrained genome-scale protein secretory model of a eukaryal cell, namely for the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae(pcSecYeast). The model contains all key processes of this pathway, i.e., protein translation, modification, and degradation coupled with metabolism. The model can capture delicate phenotypic changes such as the switch in the use of specific glucose transporters in response to changing extracellular glucose concentration. Furthermore, the model can also simulate the effects of protein misfolding on cellular growth, suggesting that retro-translocation of misfolded proteins contributes to protein retention in the Endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We used pcSecYeast to simulate various recombinant proteins production and identified overexpression targets for different recombinant proteins overproduction. We experimentally validated many of the predicted targets for α-amylase production in this study, and the results show that the secretory pathways have more limited capacity than metabolism in terms of protein secretion.
Cellular perception of growth rate and the mechanistic origin of bacterial growth law
Authors: Wu Chenhao , Balakrishnan Rohan , Braniff Nathan , Mori Matteo , Manzanarez Gabriel , Zhang Zhongge , Hwa Terence
Published: October 2021

Bacteria organize many activities according to their grow rate via the ppGpp signaling system. Yet it is not clear how this signaling system “knows” how fast cells grow. Through quantitative experiments, we show that ppGpp responds inversely to the rate of translational elongation inE. coli. Together with its roles in inhibiting ribosome biogenesis and activity, ppGpp closes a key regulatory circuit that enables the cell to perceive and control the rate of its growth across conditions. The celebrated linear growth law relating the ribosome content and growth rate emerges as a consequence of keeping a supply of ribosome reserves while maintaining elongation rate in slow growth conditions. Further analysis suggests the elongation rate itself is detected by sensing the ratio of dwelling and translocating ribosomes, a strategy employed to collapse the complex, high-dimensional dynamics of the molecular processes underlying cell growth to perceive the physiological state of the whole.
PySOFI: an open source Python package for SOFI
Authors: Miao Yuting , Weiss Shimon , Yi Xiyu
Published: October 2021

Super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI) is a highly democratizable technique that provides optical super-resolution (SR) without requirement of sophisticated imaging instruments. An open source package for SOFI algorithm is needed to support not only the utilization of SOFI, but also the community adoption and participation for further development of SOFI. In this work, we developed PySOFI, an open source python package for SOFI analysis that offers the flexibility to inspect, test, modify, improve and extend the algorithm. We provide a complete documentation for the package and a collection of Jupyter Notebooks to demonstrate the usage of the package. We discuss the architecture of PySOFI, illustrate how to use each functional module, and demonstrate how to extend the PySOFI package with additional modules. We expect PySOFI to facilitate efficient adoption, testing, modification, dissemination and prototyping of new SOFI-relevant algorithms.
Prefrontal cortex supports speech perception in listeners with cochlear implants
Authors: Sherafati Arefeh , Dwyer Noel , Bajracharya Aahana , Hassanpour Mahlega S. , Eggebrecht Adam T. , Firszt Jill B. , Culver Joseph P. , Peelle Jonathan E.
Published: October 2021

Cochlear implants are neuroprosthetic devices that can restore hearing in people with severe to profound hearing loss by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve. Because of physical limitations on the precision of this stimulation, the acoustic information delivered by a cochlear implant does not convey the same level of acoustic detail as that conveyed by normal hearing. As a result, speech understanding in listeners with cochlear implants is typically poorer and more effortful than in listeners with normal hearing. The brain networks supporting speech understanding in listeners with cochlear implants are not well understood, partly due to difficulties obtaining functional neuroimaging data in this population. In the current study, we assessed the brain regions supporting spoken word understanding in adult listeners with right unilateral cochlear implants (n=20) and matched controls (n=18) using high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT), a quiet and non-invasive imaging modality with spatial resolution comparable to that of functional MRI. We found that while listening to spoken words in quiet, listeners with cochlear implants showed greater activity in left prefrontal cortex than listeners with normal hearing, specifically in a region engaged in a separate spatial working memory task. These results suggest that listeners with cochlear implants require greater cognitive processing during speech understanding than listeners with normal hearing, supported by compensatory recruitment of left prefrontal cortex.
RNA Helix Thermodynamics: The End Game
Authors: Zuber Jeffrey , Schroeder Susan J. , Sun Hongying , Turner Douglas H. , Mathews David H.
Published: October 2021

Nearest neighbor parameters for estimating the folding stability of RNA secondary structures are in widespread use. For helices, current parameters penalize terminal AU base pairs relative to terminal GC base pairs. We curated an expanded database of helix stabilities determined by optical melting experiments. Analysis of the updated database shows that terminal penalties depend on the sequence identity of the adjacent penultimate base pair. New nearest neighbor parameters that include this additional sequence dependence accurately predict the measured values of 271 helices in an updated database with a correlation coefficient of 0.982. This refined understanding of helix ends facilitates fitting terms for base pair stacks with GU pairs. Prior parameter sets treatedseparately from otherstacks. The improved understanding of helix end stability, however, makes the separate treatment unnecessary. Introduction of the additional terms was tested with three optical melting experiments. The average absolute difference between measured and predicted free energy changes at 37° C for these three duplexes containing terminal adjacent AU and GU pairs improved from 1.38 to 0.27 kcal/mol. This confirms the need for the additional sequence dependence in the model.
Old and ancient trees are life history lottery winners and act as evolutionary buffers against long-term environmental change
Authors: Cannon Charles H. , Piovesan Gianluca , Munné-Bosch Sergi
Published: October 2021

Trees can live many centuries with sustained fecundity and death is largely stochastic. We use a neutral stochastic model to examine the demographic patterns that emerge over time, across a range of population sizes and empirically observed mortality rates. A small proportion of trees (∼1% at 1.5% mortality) are life-history ‘lottery’ winners, achieving ages >10-20x median age. Maximum age increases with bigger populations and lower mortality rates. One quarter of trees (∼24%) achieve ages that are 3-4 times greater than median age. Three age classes (Mature, Old, and Ancient) contribute unique historical diversity across complex environmental cycles. Ancient trees are an emergent property of forests that requires many centuries to generate. They rradically change generation time variance and population fitness, bridging infrequent environmental cycles. These life-history ‘lottery’ winners are vital to future forest dynamics and invaluable data about environmental history and individual longevity. Old-growth forests contain trees that cannot be replaced through restoration or regeneration in the near future. They simply must be protected to preserve their unique diversity.
Rare Variant Aggregation in 148,508 Exomes Identifies Genes Associated with Proxy Alzheimer’s disease/Dementia
Authors: Wightman Douglas P , Savage Jeanne E , de Leeuw Christiaan A , Jansen Iris E , Posthuma Danielle
Published: October 2021

Proxy phenotypes allow for the utilization of genetic data from large population cohorts to analyze late-onset diseases by using parental diagnoses as a proxy for genetic disease risk. Proxy phenotypes based on parental diagnosis status have been used in previous studies to identify common variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease. As of yet, proxy phenotypes have not been used to identify genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease through rare variants. Here we show that a proxy Alzheimer’s disease/dementia phenotype can capture known Alzheimer’s disease risk genes through rare variant aggregation. We generated a proxy Alzheimer’s disease/dementia phenotype for 148,508 unrelated individuals of European ancestry in the UK biobank in order to perform exome-wide rare variant aggregation analyses to identify genes associated with proxy Alzheimer’s disease/dementia. We identified four genes significantly associated with the proxy phenotype, three of which were significantly associated with proxy Alzheimer’s disease/dementia in an independent replication cohort consisting of 197,506 unrelated individuals of European ancestry in the UK biobank. All three of the replicated genes have been previously associated with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease (SORL1, TREM2, and TOMM40/APOE). We show that proxy Alzheimer’s disease/dementia can be used to identify genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease through rare variant aggregation.
SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Preventive Methods Efficacy - A Simulation Case Study
Authors: Saad Malak , Boctor Emad M.
Published: October 2021

The world has been facing the SARS-CoV-2, a.k.a. COVID-19, pandemic with different preventive methods including social distancing, face masking, screening tests (a.k.a. active surveillance), and vaccination. There are many publications and studies on the efficacy of each of these preventive methods for the last couple of years. Not all methods are readily available in each country and not all methods are accepted by all people in each society.

In this study, we explore the interaction of the three preventive methods: face masking, vaccinations, and screening tests. We study a confined space to represent schools, businesses, or healthcare facilities and we model the spread of the COVID-19 virus for a 60-day period among a sample population while varying the percentage of people adopting one or more of the three preventive methods.

To interpret the simulation results, we define a (Health Goal) target, for example achieving <5% infection rate, i.e., protecting 95% or more of the sample population. We then construct a (Decision Tree) that depicts all valid combinations that achieve this goal. Multiple scenarios are derived from the decision tree to guide decision makers in drawing effective policies to contain the virus spread. We demonstrate a ramping vaccination rate scenario, a removal of the face-masking mandate scenario, and a cost-minimizing goal scenario.

The study highlights the efficacy of combining the three prevention methods to constrain the virus spread among the sample population. For example, results show that a combination of 0% vaccination rate, 6% daily screening test rate, and 80% face masking rate will achieve the target ≥95 protection rate, which can represent a scenario in which vaccination is not yet readily available. As the vaccination rate ramps up to 80% among the sample population, the screening test rate can be 0%, while the face masking rate can be as low as 5% to still achieve the health target. Many other scenarios are derived from this study to meet the defined health target, which represents the flexibility afforded to policy and decision makers when trying to adopt a combination of these preventive methods to contain virus spread.

The study also reveals the higher efficiency of either the vaccination or screening test over face masking under the assumed virus transmissibility rates in the study.
Imaging-induced stress causes divergent phase transitions of RNA binding proteins in the C. elegans germ line
Authors: Elaswad Mohamed T. , Munderloh Chloe , Watkins Brooklynne M. , Sharp Katherine G. , Breton Elizabeth , Schisa Jennifer A.
Published: October 2021

One emerging paradigm of cellular organization of RNA and RNA binding proteins is the formation of membraneless organelles (MLOs). Examples of MLOs include several types of ribonucleoprotein granules that form via phase separation. A variety of intracellular pH changes and post-translational modifications, as well as extracellular stresses can stimulate the condensation of proteins into granules. For example, the assembly of stress granules induced by oxidative stress, osmotic stress, and heat stress has been well-characterized in a variety of somatic cell types. In the germ line, similar stress-induced condensation of proteins occurs; however, less is known about the role of phase separation during gamete production. Researchers who study phase transitions often make use of fluorescent reporters to study the dynamics of RNA binding proteins during live-cell imaging. In this report, we demonstrate that certain conditions of live-imaging C. elegans can cause an inadvertent stress and trigger phase transitions of RNA binding proteins. We show that imaging stress stimulates decondensation of multiple germ granule proteins, and condensation of several P-body proteins. Proteins within larger RNP granules in meiotically-arrested oocytes do not appear to be as sensitive to imaging stress as proteins in diakinesis oocytes of young hermaphrodites, with the exception of the germ granule protein PGL-1. Our results have important methodological implications for all researchers using live-cell imaging techniques. The data also suggest that the RNA binding proteins within large RNP granules of arrested oocytes may have distinct phases which we characterize in our companion paper.
The ASCC2 CUE domain contacts adjacent ubiquitins to recognize K63-linked polyubiquitin
Authors: Lombardi Patrick M. , Haile Sara , Rusanov Timur , Rodell Rebecca , Anoh Rita , Baer Julia G. , Burke Kate A. , Gray Lauren N. , Hacker Abigail R. , Kebreau Kayla R. , Ngandu Christine K. , Orland Hannah A. , Osei-Asante Emmanuella , Schmelyun Dhane P. , Shorb Devin E. , Syed Shaheer H. , Veilleux Julianna M. , Majumdar Ananya , Mosammaparast Nima , Wolberger Cynthia
Published: October 2021

Alkylation of DNA and RNA is a potentially toxic lesion that can result in mutations and cell death. In response to alkylation damage, K63-linked polyubiquitin chains are assembled that localize the ALKBH3-ASCC repair complex to damage sites in the nucleus. The protein ASCC2, a subunit of the ASCC complex, selectively binds K63-linked polyubiquitin chains using its CUE domain, a type of ubiquitin-binding domain that typically binds monoubiquitin and does not discriminate among different polyubiquitin linkage types. We report here that the ASCC2 CUE domain selectively binds K63-linked diubiquitin by contacting both the distal and proximal ubiquitin. Whereas the ASCC2 CUE domain binds the distal ubiquitin in a manner similar to that reported for other CUE domains bound to a single ubiquitin, the contacts with the proximal ubiquitin are unique to ASCC2. The N-terminal portion of the ASCC2 α1 helix, including residues E467 and S470, contributes to the binding interaction with the proximal ubiquitin of K63-linked diubiquitin. Mutation of residues within the N-terminal portion of the ASCC2 α1 helix decreases ASCC2 recruitment in response to DNA alkylation, supporting the functional significance of these interactions during the alkylation damage response.
Preparatory attention incorporates contextual expectations
Authors: Gayet Surya , Peelen Marius V.
Published: October 2021

Humans are remarkably proficient at finding objects within a complex visual world. Current theories of attentional selection propose that this ability is mediated by target-specific preparatory activity in visual cortex, biasing visual processing in favor of the target object. In real-world situations, however, the retinal image that any object will produce is unknown in advance; its size, for instance, varies dramatically with the object’s distance from the observer. Using fMRI, we show that preparatory activity is systematically modulated by expectations derived from scene context. Human participants searched for objects at different distances in scenes. Activity patterns in object-selective cortex during search preparation (while no objects were presented), resembled activity patterns evoked by viewing targets object in isolation. Crucially, this preparatory activity was modulated by distance, reflecting the predicted retinal image of the object at each distance. These findings reconcile current theories of attentional selection with the challenges of real-world vision.

Highlights

Visual cortex contains object-specific representations during search preparation.

We demonstrate this for the first time during concurrent visual scene processing.

Preparatory object representations are scaled to account for viewing distance.

Preparatory biases reflect the predicted retinal image inferred from scene context.

eTOC blurb

Attentional selection is thought to be mediated by target-specific preparatory activity in visual cortex. Gayet and Peelen provide evidence that such preparatory biases incorporate contextual expectations about object appearance, reconciling attention theories with the challenges of naturalistic vision.
Development of a 3D printing method for the textile hybrid structure
Authors: Kang Jihye Deborah , Kim Sungmin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The development of a 3D printing method for the textile hybrid structure that can both be a solution to the conventional drawbacks of 3D printing method and a step forward to a garment making industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel 3D printing method using the textile hybrid structure was developed to generate 3D object without support structures.

Findings

3D printing of curved panels without support structure was possible by using fabric tension and residual stress.

Practical implications

Garment panels can be 3D printed without support structures by utilizing the idea of textile hybrid structure. Garment panels are expected to be modelled and printed easily using the Garment Panel Printer (GPP) software developed in this study.

Social implications

3D printing method developed in the study is expected to reduce the time and material previously needed for support structures.

Originality/value

Comprehensive preparatory experiments were made to determine the design parameters. Various experiments were designed to test the feasibility and validity of proposed method.
The existential mindset for corporate survival and growth: innovation and resilience
Authors: Allio Robert J.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The author addresses the looming question in the digital era: Can long-established firms adopt an existential mindset that enables them to survive and prosper?

Design/methodology/approach

Disruptors take advantage of significant changes in the traditional value drivers in an existing market. The success of long-established companies often inhibits innovation, and most mature organizations struggle to excel.

Findings

Greater reliance on controlled experiments can mitigate the failures of innovation based primarily on focus group research.

Practical/implications

Competitors can be transformed into collaborators in many parts of the value chain, and alliances are outperforming the more conventional business development approaches.

Originality/value

The author’s powerful message: Today’s leaders must adopt a new mindset in which bureaucracy is repudiated and responsiveness and adaptability are rewarded.
Do Excess Funds Make Financially Constrained Firms Better Off? Evidence from IPOs in China
Authors: Cao Chunfang , Hou Wenxuan , Liu Xiumei , Pan Hongbo
Published: October 2021

Firms in transition economies often suffer financial constraints. In initial public offerings (IPOs), however, many newly listed Chinese firms raise funds in excess of what is originally planned. This paper examines whether these excess IPO funds are wasted on value‐destroying spending or enable firms to take growth opportunities. After controlling for the endogeneity issue, we find that Chinese firms with excess IPO funds have better post‐IPO operating performance, especially those with limited financing channels. In revealing the mechanism, we find that excess IPO fundraising alleviates financial constraints and reduces the cost of debt.
Profound differences in IgE and IgG recognition of micro‐arrayed allergens in hyper‐IgE syndromes
Authors: Garib Victoria , Ben‐Ali Meriem , Kundi Michael , Curin Mirela , Yaakoubi Roukaya , Ben‐Mustapha Imen , Mekki Najla , Froeschl Renate , Perkmann Thomas , Valenta Rudolf , Barbouche Mohamed‐Ridha
Published: October 2021

Background

The specificities of IgE and IgG for allergen molecules in patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) have not been investigated in detail.

Objective

To study IgE and IgG antibody specificities in patients with defined hyper‐IgE syndromes (HIES) using a comprehensive panel of allergen molecules.

Methods

We used chips containing micro‐arrayed allergen molecules to analyze allergen‐specific IgE and IgG levels in sera from two groups of HIES patients: Autosomal recessive mutations in phosphoglucomutase‐3 (PGM3); Autosomal dominant negative mutations of STAT3 (STAT3); and age‐matched subjects with allergic sensitizations. Assays with rat basophil leukemia cells transfected with human FcεRI were performed to study the biological relevance of IgE sensitizations.

Results

Median total IgE levels were significantly lower in the sensitized control group (212.9 kU/L) as compared to PGM3 (5042 kU/L) and STAT3 patients (2561 kU/L). However, PGM3 patients had significantly higher allergen‐specific IgE levels and were sensitized to a larger number of allergen molecules as compared to STAT3 patients. Biological relevance of IgE sensitization was confirmed for PGM3 patients by basophil activation testing. PGM3 patients showed significantly lower cumulative allergen‐specific IgG responses in particular to milk and egg allergens as compared to STAT3 patients and sensitized controls whereas total IgG levels were comparable to STAT3 patients and significantly higher than in controls.

Conclusion

The analysis with multiple micro‐arrayed allergen molecules reveals profound differences of allergen‐specific IgE and IgG recognition in PGM3 and STAT3 patients which may be useful for classification of IEI and clinical characterization of patients.
Phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens using mitochondrial D‐loop sequence reveals their characteristics as a genetic resource
Authors: Mon Su Lai Yee , Lwin Moe , Maw Aye Aye , Htun Lat Lat , Bawm Saw , Kawabe Kotaro , Wada Yasuhiko , Okamoto Shin , Shimogiri Takeshi
Published: October 2021

Myanmar indigenous chickens play important roles in food, entertainment, and farm business for the people of Myanmar. In this study, complete mitochondrial D‐loop sequences (1232 bp) were analyzed using 176 chickens, including three indigenous breeds, two fighting cock populations, and three indigenous populations to elucidate genetic diversity and accomplish a phylogenetic analysis of Myanmar indigenous chickens. The average haplotype and nucleotide diversities were 0.948 ± 0.009 and 0.00814 ± 0.00024, respectively, exhibiting high genetic diversity of Myanmar indigenous chickens. Sixty‐four haplotypes were classified as seven haplogroups, with the majority being haplogroup F. The breeds and populations except Inbinwa had multiple maternal haplogroups, suggesting that they experienced no recent purifying selection and bottleneck events. All breeds and populations examined shared haplogroup F. When 232 sequences belonging to haplogroup F (79 from Myanmar and 153 deposited sequences from other Asian countries/region) were analyzed together, the highest genetic diversity was observed in Myanmar indigenous chickens. Furthermore, Myanmar indigenous chickens and red junglefowls were observed in the center of the star‐like median‐joining network of 37 F‐haplotypes, suggesting that Myanmar is one of the origins of haplogroup F. These findings revealed the unique genetic characteristic of Myanmar indigenous chickens as important genetic resources.
What affects consumer behavior in mobile health professional diagnosis applications
Authors: Galetsi Panagiota , Katsaliaki Korina , Kumar Sameer , Ferguson Mark
Published: October 2021

In recent years, an increasing number of health diagnosis mobile apps have been developed and marketed to assist health professionals in the process of diagnosis. Yet, there is limited knowledge about the factors and app characteristics that affect their selection from health professionals. In this study, we investigate the specific apps’ market that is addressed to medical professionals/students in order to explain how the specific consumers’ behavior is affected by certain app characteristics and attributes. We based our model on the combination of two theoretical models, the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to investigate the criteria for the intention of adoption of mobile apps in clinical routine. An evaluation framework (MARS) has been used to measure the quality of each app and text processing has been applied to retrieve and code additional informative variables from the descriptions and users’ reviews. To investigate the relationships between app quality, downloads and users’ ratings we used multiple linear regression statistical analysis. The results showed that the number of apps downloads is positively related to users’ usefulness, star rating, and app quality while downloads are also correlated to the number of reviews, long app description, years since first release, and in‐app ads. This study contributes to the information systems and mobile health literature in providing a better understanding of which quality characteristics of mobile apps have an impact on their popularity and evaluation and how their functionalities and quality affect the professionals’ decision process.
LINC00184 plays an oncogenic role in non‐small cell lung cancer via regulation of the miR‐524‐5p/HMGB2 axis
Authors: Wang Wuming , Li Lin , Zhao Long
Published: October 2021

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. We aimed to investigate the role of LINC00184 in NSCLC. Migration, proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells were analysed using the wound healing assay, cell counting kit‐8 assay and transwell assay, respectively. Apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed using flow cytometry. Online bioinformatics tools were utilized to predict downstream microRNAs (miRNA) or genes related to LINC00184 expression. The RNA pull‐down experiment and luciferase reporter assay were performed to verify the predictions thereof. LINC00184, miR‐524‐5p, and high mobility group 2 protein (HMGB2) expression levels in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were detected using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. An NSCLC mouse model was constructed for in vivo experiments. LINC00184 overexpression was observed in NSCLC tissues and cell lines and was found to be correlated with poor prognosis. LINC00184 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, induced cell cycle arrest and accelerated apoptosis in NSCLC cell lines. LINC00184 suppressed tumour growth and proliferation in NSCLC mouse models and directly targeted the miR‐524‐5p/HMGB2 axis. Moreover, the expression levels of LINC00184 and HMGB2 were negatively correlated with miR‐524‐5p expression, whereas LINC00184 expression was positively correlated with HMGB2 expression. LINC00184 affected the cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in NSCLC via regulation of the miR‐524‐5p/HMGB2 axis.
Daily associations between sleep and stressors in nurses with and without children
Authors: Harris Taylor P. , Vigoureux Taylor F. D. , Lee Soomi
Published: October 2021

Previous research shows that adults with children have poorer sleep overall than adults without children. Poorer sleep is associated with experiencing more frequent and severe stressors. The daily link between sleep and stressors may differ by parenting status; yet this potential difference has not been addressed, especially in nurses who provide care both at work and home. This study examined whether the sleep–stress relationship is stronger for nurses with children than those without. During 14 days of ecological momentary assessment, 60 hospital nurses (24 parents) reported their previous night's sleep characteristics upon waking. Three times daily, they also reported whether they encountered any stressors and how severe those stressors were. Associations were assessed at the within‐ and between‐person levels with parenting status as a between‐person moderator. After controlling for covariates, previous night's poorer sleep quality, lower sleep sufficiency, and shorter time in bed were associated with perceiving more frequent or severe stressors the following day. Some of these daily associations were moderated by parenting status, such that the sleep–stressor link was only significant for parents, with the magnitude of association being stronger for those with 2+ children relative to 1 child. These findings suggest that nurses with children are at greater risk for a stronger linkage between poorer sleep and greater stressor frequency and severity. A stronger sleep–stressor relationship could have compounding effects on health. Improving sleep in this group may be critical to reduce their stress and improve the quality of care across work and home.
The clinical utility of procainamide‐induced late potentials on the signal averaged ECG
Authors: Pearman Charles Michael , Walia Jagdeep , Alqarawi Wael , Larsen Jacob Moesgaard , Leach Emma , Krahn Andrew D. , Laksman Zachary
Published: October 2021

Background

Late potentials (LPs) identified on the signal averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) are a marker for an increased risk of arrhythmias in Brugada syndrome (BrS). Procainamide is a sodium channel blocker used to diagnose BrS. The effects of Procainamide on the SAECG in those with BrS and the significance of Procainamide‐induced LPs are unknown.

Methods

Procainamide provocation was performed for suspected BrS with 12‐lead and SAECG pre‐ and post‐infusion. Filtered QRS duration (fQRSd), duration of low amplitude signals <40 μV (LAS40) and root‐mean‐square voltage in the terminal 40 ms (RMS40) were determined.

Results

Data from 150 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 44.5 years, 109 males). Procainamide increased fQRSd (Pre 118.8 ± 10.5 ms, post 121.2 ± 10.2 ms, p < 0.001) and LAS40 (Pre 38.7 ± 9.8 ms, post 40.2 ± 10.5 ms, p = 0.005) and decreased RMS40 (Pre 24.6 ± 12 ms, post 22.8 ± 12 ms, p = 0.002). LPs were present in 68/150 (45%) at baseline. Fifteen patients with negative baseline SAECGs had LPs unmasked by Procainamide, but six patients had LPs at baseline that were no longer present following Procainamide. Comparing those with normal hearts (n = 48) to those with a final diagnosis of BrS (n = 38), Procainamide prolonged fQRSd to a greater extent in those with BrS. Comparing those with Procainamide‐induced LPs to those with no LPs at any time did not highlight any aspect of phenotype and did not correlate with a history of ventricular arrhythmias.

Conclusions

Procainamide influences the SAECG, provoking LPs in a small proportion of patients. However, there is no evidence that Procainamide‐induced LPs provide additional diagnostic information or aid risk stratification.
Recruiting custodial grandmothers using Facebook
Authors: Clark Karen C. , Kelley Susan J. , Clark Patricia C.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Recruitment through Facebook is gaining favor as an approach for research, including clinical trials, because of the platform's ability to reach broad and diverse populations. As older adults increase their social media use, recruitment through Facebook has become a viable option. The purposes of this paper are to report the methodological process and lessons learned from recruiting custodial grandmothers (CGMs) for a cross‐sectional study examining parenting self‐efficacy and psychological well‐being.

Participants

A total of 113 people consented and accessed the survey online, with 40 (35.4%) completing surveys. The final sample comprised 68 grandmothers, with 59% recruited via Facebook.

Methods

Facebook recruitment for the online survey included creating a dedicated Facebook study page, accessing existing Facebook pages for custodial grandparents, and using paid advertising. Face‐to‐face recruitment strategies also were used with paper surveys.

Results

We compared the characteristics of those completing online surveys versus paper surveys. CGMs completing the survey online were significantly younger and more likely to be Caucasian than those completing the paper survey.

Conclusions

Findings indicated online recruitment via Facebook is an advantageous method to reach CGMs. However, additional research is needed to determine if other online and social media platforms would be useful in recruiting this population.
Updating incoherent credences ‐ Extending the Dutch strategy argument for conditionalization
Authors: De Bona Glauber , Staffel Julia
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we ask: how should an agent who has incoherent credences update when they learn new evidence? The standard Bayesian answer for coherent agents is that they should conditionalize; however, this updating rule is not defined for incoherent starting credences. We show how one of the main arguments for conditionalization, the Dutch strategy argument, can be extended to devise a target property for updating plans that can apply to them regardless of whether the agent starts out with coherent or incoherent credences. The main idea behind this extension is that the agent should avoid updating plans that increase the possible sure loss from Dutch strategies. This happens to be equivalent to avoiding updating plans that increase incoherence according to a distance‐based incoherence measure.
Why do firms import via merchants in entrepôt countries rather than directly from the source?
Authors: Medin Hege
Published: October 2021

Using Norwegian import‐transactions data, this article studies which factors are associated with the probability of importing indirectly via third countries (entrepôts), rather than directly from the source. Source country characteristics—especially high trade barriers and unfavorable geographical locations—are important when time‐invariant unobserved heterogeneity is not controlled for. When controlling for this, however, firm‐ and product‐level characteristics stand out as the main drivers. Smaller and less productive firms more often import via entrepôts, especially when importing product‐source combinations that are relatively unimportant in their total imports and when importing products with low price dispersion and high value‐to‐weight ratios.
Effectiveness of kinesiotaping in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Araya‐Quintanilla Felipe , Gutiérrez‐Espinoza Héctor , Sepúlveda‐Loyola Walter , Probst Vanessa , Ramírez‐Vélez Robinson , Álvarez‐Bueno Celia
Published: October 2021

Objective

To determine the effectiveness of kinesiotaping (KT) with or without co‐interventions for clinical outcomes in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).

Design

Systematic review with meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Data sources

Eight databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, LILACS, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched from inception until March 2021.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Clinical trials that determine the effectiveness of KT with or without co‐interventions for clinical outcomes in patients with SIS who are older than 18 years of age.

Results

Ten trials for the quantitative analysis were included. For pain intensity at 1–3 weeks, the overall pooled MD was −0.73 cm, 95% CI = −1.50 to 0.04 (p = 0.06), and at 3–6 weeks, it was −0.13 cm, 95% CI = −1.37 to 0.36 (p = 0.25). For shoulder function, the MD was −0.02, 95%CI = −0.30 to 0.26 (p = 0.89). For shoulder Range of Motion (ROM) flexion, the MD was −16.70, 95% CI = −0.52 to 33.92 (p = 0.06). Additionally, there was a low to moderate quality of evidence according to the GRADE rating.

Conclusion

Kinesiotaping with or without co‐interventions was not superior to other interventions for improving shoulder pain intensity, function and ROM flexion in patients with SIS.
Spending Time Together Outside of the Clubs: Cross‐gender Rapport Building and Interview Recruitment in Music Scene Ethnography
Authors: Harrison Anthony Kwame
Published: October 2021

This article examines the politics of cross‐gender interview recruitment in popular music scene ethnography. It specifically focuses on how complexities surrounding gender, race, and presumed intention impact efforts to build rapport and recruit interviewees. To do this, I present a series of accounts from my dissertation research—conducted twenty years ago—and reflect on the challenges I faced as a straight, cisgender, Black male researcher interacting with (non‐Black) women within various hip‐hop nightlife settings. In the process, I introduce the concepts of intimate counterpublics and aggregate counterpublics as means to spatially mapping different degrees of subcultural investment (based on levels of familiarity, intimacy, and trust) and the types of connections they enable. I conclude by offering suggestions, for researchers working within popular music scenes or other youth‐oriented spaces, on how to negotiate such challenges. I also propose that ethnographers should be more attentive to nuances of interview requests and how embodied situational research transactions can serve as bases for ethnographic understanding.
A prospective, multi‐centre, Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group study reveals potential efficacy of toceranib phosphate (Palladia) as a primary or adjuvant agent in the treatment of canine nasal carcinoma
Authors: Ehling Tara Jean , Klein Mary Kay , Smith Lauren , Prescott Deborah , Haney Siobhan , Looper Jayme , LaDue Tracey , Brawner William , Fidel Janean , Shiomitsu Keijiro , Green Eric , Saba Corey , Turek Michelle , Farrelly John
Published: October 2021

Radiation is the standard of care for dogs with nasal tumours. The addition of another therapy that could improve outcome without increasing toxicity is attractive. Medical therapy that could offer better outcome than maximally tolerated dose chemotherapy when radiation therapy (RT) is not possible or is declined is also attractive. This article reports the findings from a prospective, multi‐centre, non‐randomized, Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group clinical trial designed to evaluate whether toceranib phosphate (toceranib) has primary activity and if the addition of toceranib to RT could positively impact outcome. Owner's discretion determined enrolment in toceranib alone or toceranib + RT arm. Historical controls for radiation alone were selected from patients treated with identical RT and imaging protocols. Responses were evaluated with pre‐treatment and week‐16 CT scans. RT total dose of 42 Gy was completed in 10 fractions. Sixty‐three dogs enrolled from 10 study sites. Overall response rates (CR + PR) were significantly improved in the toceranib + RT (79.4%) and RT alone (68.9%) arms over toceranib alone (22%) (p = .011). Clinical benefit rates (CR + PR + SD) were significantly improved in the toceranib + RT arm over the RT alone arm at 97.3% and 79.2% respectively (p = .036). Treatment with toceranib alone, toceranib + RT and RT alone resulted in median survival times of 298, 615 and 368 days respectively, but were not statistically significantly different (p = .0502). Adverse events associated with toceranib administration did not potentiate the RT side effect profile. Toceranib appears to have primary activity against nasal carcinoma.
Analysis of Verbal Interactions Between Brazilian Students in a Physics Investigative Activity Class With STS Approach: A Case Study
Authors: De Moraes Roberto Barreto , Vianna Deise Miranda
Published: October 2021

This article presents results on the analysis of verbal interactions of students from a federal public high school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during an investigative activity class about the properties of magnets. This experimental assignment was part of a didactic sequence developed for the study of Electromagnetism, which was structured using a Science, Technology and Society (STS) approach combined with the investigative activities method, in which students divided into groups carried out a series of experimental essays on the contents that were presented to them. The objective was to determine if students were able and capable of structuring their own causal statements to a problem involving knowledge of Physics, when given the proper conditions to work with an experimental setup. Differently from the traditional transmission-reception didactic model, the STS didactic orientation seeks out to incorporate the scientific syllabus into the students' daily life relationships. A qualitative methodology was used from the transcriptions of video and digital audio recordings that were registered during classes, some scenes of an educational episode were selected and the verbal interactions of the students among themselves were analyzed, looking for some indicators that could identify whether scientific literacy was accomplished. Analysis showed evidence that students were able to construct meaning with their own words by reasoning about what was observed in the experiments performed.
Microstructural Evolution of Viscoelastic Properties of Underfills Under Sustained High Temperature Operation
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Kasturi Madhu , Wu Haotian , Suhling Jeffrey C. , Davis Edward
Published: October 2021

Automotive underhood electronics are subjected to high operating temperatures in the neighborhood of 150 to 200? for prolonged periods in the neighborhood of 10-years. Consumer grade off-the shelf electronics are designed to operate at 55 to 85? with a lower use-life of 3 to 5 years. Underfill materials are used to provide supplemental restraint to fine-pitch area array electronics and meet the reliability requirements. In this paper, a number of different underfill materials are subjected to automotive underhood temperatures to study the effect of long time isothermal exposure on microstructure and dynamic-mechanical properties. It has been shown that isothermal aging oxidizes the underfill, which can change the mechanical properties of the material significantly. The oxidation of underfill was studied experimentally by measuring oxidation layer thickness using polarized optical microscope. The effect on the mechanical properties was studied using the dynamic mechanical properties of underfill with DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer). Two different underfill materials were subjected to three different isothermal exposure, which are below, near and above the glass transition temperature of the underfills. The dynamic mechanical viscoelastic properties like storage modulus, loss modulus, tan delta and their respective glass transition temperatures were investigated. Three point bending mode was used in the DMA with a frequency of 1 Hz operating at 3?/min.
Analysis, Design, and Validation of a Vaned Diffuser for Improved Fish Friendliness
Authors: Pan Qiang , Shi Weidong , Zhang Desheng , Van Esch B. P. M.
Published: October 2021

The primary cause of mechanical-related fish injury and mortality in turbomachinery is blade strike. Fish contained in the flow may strike with the rotor blades and the fixed diffuser vanes, the latter being a non-negligible factor causing fish damage in the pump system. In this study, an experiment-based correlation of fish mutilation ratio acts as critical strike velocity. The relation between strike damage in a vaned diffuser and the theoretical pump head is presented as a function of specific speed. As an example, a vaned diffuser is designed for a single-bladed, mixed-flow impeller with the purpose of improving fish friendliness. This pump can be scaled to operate with a head up to 14 m at peak efficiency, without fish damage in the diffuser. Subsequently, experiments are conducted to show the retained pump performance as well as the great improvement of fish friendliness.
Experimental Investigation of Aerostatic Journal Bearings Made of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Carbon Composites
Authors: Schimpf Artur , Ortelt Markus , Seiler Helge , Gu Yandong , Schwarzwälder Alexander , Böhle Martin
Published: October 2021

This study describes experimental results using carbon fiber-reinforced carbon (C/C) material for porous journal bearings under static conditions. Exerted radial forces of up to 90 N, a supply pressure of up to 6 bar, and a maximum rotational speed of 8000 rpm were tested. The occurrence of pneumatic hammering was not observed under these operating points. Triangulation sensors were mounted vertically and horizontally as well as in front of and behind the tested bearing. These sensors measure the eccentricity and misalignment. The orbit analysis demonstrated an improvement in concentricity with an increment in the supply pressure. The layered structure of the C/C material used for the porous liner is presented. A rotational speed below 8000 rpm negligibly influenced the load-carrying capacity and the flowrate. The vertical misalignment of the shaft was determined in relation to the force-applied test bearing. In addition, two vertically positioned sensors on the support-bearing housing were used to discern the misalignment in the absolute system. On the other hand, reducing the speed to 1000 rpm increased the concentricity error. The shaft showed no significant signs of use after the experiments. The measurements confirm the suitability of the material for porous bearings.