bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventions to increase appointment attendance in safety net health centers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Crable Erika L. , Biancarelli Dea L. , Aurora Marisa , Drainoni Mari‐Lynn , Walkey Allan J.
Published: October 2020

Rationale, aims and objectives

Missed appointments are a persistent problem across healthcare settings, and result in negative outcomes for providers and patients. We aimed to review and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce missed appointments in safety net settings.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of interventions reported in three electronic databases. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies were analyzed qualitatively to describe intervention types. A random effects model was used to measure the pooled relative risk of appointment adherence across interventions in the meta‐analysis.

Results

Thirty‐four studies met inclusion criteria for the qualitative synthesis, and 21 studies reported sufficient outcome data for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. Qualitative analysis classified nine types of interventions used to increase attendance; however, application of each intervention type varied widely between studies. Across all study types (N = 12 000), RR was 1.08, (95% CI 1.03, 1.13) for any intervention used to increase appointment attendance. No single intervention was clearly effective: facilitated appointment scheduling [RR = 3.31 (95% CI: 0.30, 37.13)], financial incentives [RR = 1.88 (0.73, 4.82)] case management/patient navigator [RR = 1.09, (0.96, 1.24)], text messages [RR = 1.02 (0.96, 1.08)], transportation, [RR = 1.05 (0.98, 1.13)], telephone reminder calls [RR 1.12, (0.87, 1.45)], in‐person referrals, [RR = 1.01 (0.90, 1.13)], patient contracts [RR = 0.87 (0.52, 1.46)] or combined strategies, [RR = 1.16 (1.03, 1.32)]. No strategy was clearly superior to others, p interaction = .50.

Conclusions

Strategies to improve appointment adherence in safety net hospitals varied widely and were only modestly effective. Further research harmonizing intervention delivery within each strategy and comparing strategies with the most potential for success is needed.
Mislocalisation of TDP‐43 to the cytoplasm causes cortical hyperexcitability and reduced excitatory neurotransmission in the motor cortex
Authors: Dyer Marcus S. , Reale Laura A. , Lewis Katherine E. , Walker Adam K. , Dickson Tracey C. , Woodhouse Adele , Blizzard Catherine A.
Published: October 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease pathologically characterised by mislocalisation of the RNA‐binding protein TAR‐DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Changes to neuronal excitability and synapse dysfunction in the motor cortex are early pathological changes occurring in people with ALS and mouse models of disease. To investigate the effect of mislocalised TDP‐43 on the function of motor cortex neurons we utilised mouse models that express either human wild‐type (TDP‐43WT) or nuclear localisation sequence‐deficient TDP‐43 (TDP‐43ΔNLS) on an inducible promoter that enriches expression to forebrain neurons. Pathophysiology was investigated through immunohistochemistry and whole‐cell patch‐clamp electrophysiology. Thirty days expression of TDP‐43ΔNLS in adult mice did not cause any changes in the number of CTIP2‐positive neurons in the motor cortex. However, at this time‐point, the expression of TDP‐43ΔNLS drives intrinsic hyperexcitability in layer V excitatory neurons of the motor cortex. This hyperexcitability occurs concomitantly with a decrease in excitatory synaptic input to these cells and fluctuations in both directions of ionotropic glutamate receptors. This pathophysiology is not present with TDP‐43WT expression, demonstrating that the localisation of TDP‐43 to the cytoplasm is crucial for the altered excitability phenotype. This study has important implications for the mechanisms of toxicity of one of the most notorious proteins linked to ALS, TDP‐43. We provide the first evidence that TDP‐43 mislocalisation causes aberrant synaptic function and a hyperexcitability phenotype in the motor cortex, linking some of the earliest dysfunctions to arise in people with ALS to mislocalisation of TDP‐43.

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Changing Worship Practices in American Congregations
Authors: Roso Joseph , Holleman Anna , Chaves Mark
Published: October 2020

Worship is the core activity of American congregations and the primary way people experience religion collectively in the United States. We use data from the National Congregations Study (NCS), notably including data from the fourth wave, collected in 2018–19, to examine two key trends in worship practices among American religious congregations. First, the trend toward more informal and enthusiastic worship identified in earlier NCS surveys continues into 2019. Showing no signs of having reached a plateau, a more informal worship style has increased in prevalence across every major American religious tradition. Second, recently developed communication technologies have permeated congregations’ worship services in ways that change the collective experience. Collected on the eve of the COVID‐19 pandemic, NCS‐IV data on worship and technology provide a baseline for future examinations of worship changes caused by the pandemic, and a window into congregations’ technological preparedness for a world in which it is not safe to gather.
Introducing the Fourth Wave of the National Congregations Study
Authors: Chaves Mark , Hawkins Mary , Holleman Anna , Roso Joseph
Published: October 2020

The fourth wave of the National Congregations Study (NCS‐IV) was conducted in 2018–2019 with a nationally representative sample of congregations from across the religious spectrum. The NCS‐IV included a fresh cross‐section of congregations generated in conjunction with the 2018 General Social Survey and a panel of congregations that participated in the third NCS wave. Data were collected via a 65‐minute interview with one key informant from 1,262 congregations. The cooperation rate was 74 percent; the conservatively calculated response rate was 69 percent. Information was gathered about multiple aspects of congregations’ social composition, structure, activities, leadership, and programming. Approximately two‐thirds of the NCS‐IV questionnaire replicates items from previous NCS waves. This introduction to the NCS‐IV symposium describes NCS‐IV methodology and special features of the new data. The three symposium articles present NCS‐IV results about congregations’ political activities, racial and ethnic composition, and worship practices.
Belief in Hell and Parenting Priorities Concerning Child Independence and Obedience: Does Economic Context Matter?
Authors: Jung Jong Hyun
Published: October 2020

This study examines the ways that belief in hell is associated with parental goals concerning child independence and obedience. Further, it assesses how this association is contingent upon economic circumstances of a nation, reflected by a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. Multilevel analyses with data from the sixth wave of the World Values Survey (2010‐2014) show that belief in hell is associated with a greater likelihood of opposing independence and endorsing obedience. Yet, these observed associations differ across national economic context. Specifically, the negative association between belief in hell and parental endorsement of independence is greater in countries that are more economically developed. Similarly, the positive association between belief in hell and parental endorsement of obedience is greater in countries that are more economically developed. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed regarding the interplay of religion, parental values about child socialization, and social context.
Unintended consequences of programmatic changes to infant and young child feeding practices in Bangladesh
Authors: Tariqujjaman Md. , Rahman Mahfuzur , Luies Sharmin Khan , Karmakar Gobinda , Ahmed Tahmeed , Sarma Haribondhu
Published: October 2020

BRAC, an international development organization, implemented a home‐fortification programme from 2014 to 2018 in Bangladesh. This study aimed to understand the unintended consequences of programmatic changes that occurred during the implementation of the programme on the prevalence of good infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and other associated factors. We used pooled data from eight cross‐sectional surveys and data from a series of qualitative investigations carried out as part of a mixed‐methods evaluation approach. A total of 6,479 caregivers of children aged 6 to 23 months participated in the surveys. The prevalence of good IYCF practices increased from baseline (42.1%) to midline (45.3%), but it decreased at the endline survey (31.9%). Qualitative investigations identified several reasons for low IYCF practices at the programme level, such as the withdrawal of community health worker (CHW) incentives for promoting IYCF, providing incentives for the home‐fortification of micronutrient powder (MNP) and changing the focus from IYCF promotion to MNP promotion. A multivariable generalized estimating equation model for pooled data revealed that caregivers were 28% (adjusted risk ratio [ARR]: 0.72, 95% CI [0.67, 0.78]) less likely to maintain good IYCF practices during the period when CHWs were not incentivized to promote IYCF compared to the period when CHWs were incentivized to promote it. The prevalence of good IYCF practices decreased from both baseline and midline to the endline survey due to the unintended consequences of the programmatic changes. An integrated intervention strategy to promote the home‐fortification of MNP and IYCF could be helpful to avoid unintended negative consequences of programmatic changes.
Evolutionary rate and genetic load in an emblematic Mediterranean tree following an ancient and prolonged population collapse
Authors: Jaramillo‐Correa Juan P. , Bagnoli Francesca , Grivet Delphine , Fady Bruno , Aravanopoulos Filippos A. , Vendramin Giovanni G. , González‐Martínez Santiago C.
Published: October 2020

Severe bottlenecks significantly diminish the amount of genetic diversity and the speed at which it accumulates (i.e., evolutionary rate). They further compromise the efficiency of natural selection to eliminate deleterious variants, which may reach fixation in the surviving populations. Consequently, expanding and adapting to new environments may pose a significant challenge when strong bottlenecks result in genetic pauperization. Herein, we surveyed the patterns of nucleotide diversity, molecular adaptation and genetic load across 177 gene‐loci in a circum‐Mediterranean conifer (Pinus pinea L.) that represents one of the most extreme cases of genetic pauperization in widespread outbreeding taxa. We found very little genetic variation in both hypervariable nuclear microsatellites (SSRs) and gene‐loci, which translated into genetic diversity estimates one order of magnitude lower than those previously reported for pines. Such values were consistent with a strong population decline that began some ~1 Ma. Comparisons with the related and parapatric maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) revealed reduced rates of adaptive evolution (α and ωa) and a significant accumulation of genetic load. It is unlikely that these are the result from differences in mutation rate or linkage disequilibrium between the two species; instead they are the presumable outcome of contrasting demographic histories affecting both the speed at which these taxa accumulate genetic diversity, and the global efficacy of selection. Future studies, and programs for conservation and management, should thus start testing for the effects of genetic load on fitness, and integrating such effects into predictive models.
Systemic microvascular endothelial dysfunction is associated with left ventricular ejection fraction reduction in chronic Chagas disease patients
Authors: Barata Kasal Daniel Arthur , Britto Ademar , Verri Valéria , De Lorenzo Andrea , Tibirica Eduardo
Published: October 2020

Objective

This study compares microvascular reactivity (MR) in chronic Chagas disease (CD) patients with healthy individuals, matched for sex and age. In addition, we evaluated the association between MR and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients.

Methods

Acetylcholine iontophoresis was performed on the forearm skin, using laser speckle contrast imaging, to evaluate endothelium‐dependent vasodilation. Clinical data were obtained from medical records.

Results

Thirty‐six patients were compared to 25 healthy individuals (controls). Vasodilation was higher in controls, when compared to patients (p < .0001). There was a significant association between LVEF, stratified into quartiles, and MR (p‐value for linear trend = .002). In addition, there was no difference in MR between patients with normal LVEF and the control group. In patients, MR was independent of the presence of arterial hypertension or diabetes.

Conclusions

We have shown for the first time that the reduction of MR is associated with a decrease of LVEF in a cohort of chronic CD patients. The results were not affected by comorbidities, such as hypertension or diabetes. The evaluation of systemic endothelial function may be useful to tailor therapeutic and preventive approaches, targeted at systolic left ventricular failure associated with chronic CD cardiomyopathy.
MicroRNA156‐mediated changes in leaf composition lead to altered photosynthetic traits during vegetative phase change
Authors: Lawrence Erica H. , Springer Clint J. , Helliker Brent R. , Poethig R. Scott
Published: October 2020

Plant morphology and physiology change with growth and development. Some of these changes are due to change in plant size and some are the result of genetically programmed developmental transitions. In this study we investigate the role of the developmental transition, vegetative phase change (VPC), on morphological and photosynthetic changes.

We used overexpression of microRNA156, the master regulator of VPC, to modulate the timing of VPC in Populus tremula × alba, Zea mays, and Arabidopsis thaliana to determine its role in trait variation independent of changes in size and overall age.

Here, we find that juvenile and adult leaves in all three species photosynthesize at different rates and that these differences are due to phase‐dependent changes in specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf N but not photosynthetic biochemistry. Further, we found juvenile leaves with high SLA were associated with better photosynthetic performance at low light levels.

This study establishes a role for VPC in leaf composition and photosynthetic performance across diverse species and environments. Variation in leaf traits due to VPC are likely to provide distinct benefits under specific environments; as a result, selection on the timing of this transition could be a mechanism for environmental adaptation.
Endoscopic treatments for GERD
Authors: Kushner Bradley S. , Awad Michael M. , Mikami Dean J. , Chand Bipan B. , Wai Christina J. , Murayama Kenric M.
Published: October 2020

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition with increasing prevalence and morbidity in the United States and worldwide. Despite advances in medical and surgical therapy over the last 30 years, gaps remain in the therapeutic profile of options. Flexible upper endoscopy offers the promise of filling in these gaps in a potentially minimally invasive approach. In this concise review, we focus on the plethora of endoluminal therapies available for the treatment of GERD. Therapies discussed include injectable agents, electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter, antireflux mucosectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and endoscopic suturing devices designed to create a fundoplication. As new endoscopic treatments become available, we come closer to the promise of the incisionless treatment of GERD. The known data surrounding the indications, benefits, and risks of these historical, current, and emerging approaches are reviewed in detail.
Enhanced biofilm formation of Streptococcus gordonii with lipoprotein deficiency
Authors: Park Ok‐Jin , Jung Solmin , Park Taehwan , Kim A Reum , Lee Dongwook , Jung Ji Hyun , Seong Seo Ho , Yun Cheol‐Heui , Hyun Han Seung
Published: October 2020

Streptococcus gordonii is a commensal Gram‐positive bacterium that acts as an opportunistic pathogen that can cause apical periodontitis, endocarditis, and pneumonia. Biofilm formation of bacteria is important for the initiation and progression of such diseases. Although lipoproteins play key roles in physiological functions, the role of lipoproteins of S. gordonii in its biofilm formation has not been clearly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of lipoproteins of S. gordonii in the bacterial biofilm formation using its lipoprotein‐deficient strain (Δlgt). The S. gordonii Δlgt exhibited increased biofilm formation on the human dentin slices or on the polystyrene surfaces compared to the wild‐type strain, while its growth rate did not differ from that of the wild‐type. In addition, the S. gordonii Δlgt strain exhibited the enhanced LuxS mRNA expression and AI‐2 production, which is known to be a positive regulator of biofilm formation, compared to the wild‐type. Concordantly, the augmented biofilm formation of S. gordonii Δlgt was attenuated by an AI‐2 inhibitor, D‐ribose. In addition, lipoproteins from purified S. gordonii inhibited the biofilm formation of S. gordonii wild‐type and Δlgt. Taken together, these results suggest that lipoprotein‐deficient S. gordonii form biofilms more effectively than the wild‐type strain, which might be related to the AI‐2 quorum‐sensing system.
Understanding sunscreen and photoprotection misinformation on parenting blogs: A mixed‐method study
Authors: Tamminga Mila A. , Lipoff Jules B.
Published: October 2020

Background/Objectives

Sun exposure during childhood is a modifiable risk factor for skin cancer. Social media (including parenting blogs) represent promising platforms for understanding misinformation about pediatric photoprotection. This study's objective was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the digital social context of parenting blogs that shape parents' decisions about children's photoprotection.

Methods

Mixed‐method analysis was conducted of the 25 most popular parenting blogs in the USA, including 56 blog posts addressing photoprotection and 2661 comments. An inductive method was used to code and identify key themes associated with blog post categorization as sunscreen‐encouraging, ‐discouraging, and ‐ambivalent. The qualitative analysis program NVivo was used to calculate descriptive statistics for comment codes based on co‐occurrence with blog post category.

Results

Sunscreen‐discouraging posts addressed natural remedies, sunscreen recipes, and vitamin D. Sunscreen‐encouraging posts focused on skin cancer and protective clothing. Sunscreen‐ambivalent posts were associated with scientific studies. Sunscreen‐discouraging posts received more comments (mean 124) than encouraging (31) or ambivalent posts (8). Discouraging (65%) and ambivalent posts (75%) cited scientific literature more often than encouraging posts (14%). Comments were twice as likely to discourage photoprotection as to encourage it (1340 vs 447 comments).

Conclusions

Parenting blogs are a substantial resource of both information and misinformation on pediatric photoprotection. However, misinformation receives substantially more engagement. The themes revealed in this study may help physicians and public health officials in developing interventions to target misinformation around pediatric photoprotection.
Drought and salinity: A comparison of their effects on the ammonium‐preferring species Spartina alterniflora
Authors: Hessini Kamel , Jeddi Kaouthar , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Cruz Cristina
Published: October 2020

Drought and salinity are the most serious environmental factors affecting crop productivity worldwide; hence, it is important to select and develop both salt‐ and drought‐tolerant crops. The perennial smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora Loisel is unusual in that it is highly salt‐tolerant and seems to prefer ammonium (NH4+) over nitrate (NO3−) as an inorganic N source. In this study, we determined whether Spartina's unique preference for NH4+ enhances performance under salt and drought stress. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to compare the interactive effects of N source, salinity, and low water availability on plant performance (growth and antioxidant metabolism). Drought significantly reduced growth and photosynthetic activity in S. alterniflora, more so with NH4+ than NO3−; in contrast, NH4+ enhanced growth under high salinity. The increased tolerance of S. alterniflora to salt stress in the presence of NH4+ was linked to a high level of antioxidant enzyme activity, combined with low MDA content, EL, and H2O2 production. In contrast, drought stress negated the growth advantages for S. alterniflora exposed to salt stress in the presence of NH4+. The susceptibility of S. alterniflora to drought was partly due to reduced antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby reducing the defense against the oxidative damages induced by osmotic stress. In conclusion, in contrast to salt stress, drought stress negates the beneficial effects of ammonium as an N source in the C4 plant Spartina alterniflora.
A maize calcineurin B‐like interacting protein kinase ZmCIPK42 confers salt stress tolerance
Authors: Chen Xunji , Chen Guo , Li Jianping , Hao Xiaoyan , Tuerxun Zumuremu , Chang Xiaochun , Gao Shengqi , Huang Quansheng
Published: October 2020

Calcineurin B‐like (CBL) and CBL‐interacting protein kinase (CIPK) play a crucial role in biotic and abiotic stress responses. However, the roles of different CIPKs in biotic and abiotic stress responses are less well characterized. In this study, we identified a mutation leading to an early protein termination of the maize CIPK gene ZmCIPK42 that undergoes a G to A mutation at the coding region via searching for genes involved in salt stress tolerance and ion homeostasis from maize with querying the EMS mutant library of maize B73. The mutant zmcipk42 plants have less branched tassel and impaired salt stress tolerance at the seedling stage. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis revealed that ZmCIPK42was expressed in diverse tissues and was induced by NaCl stress. A yeast two‐hybrid screen identified a proteinase inhibitor (ZmMPI) as well as calcineurin B‐like protein 1 and protein 4 (ZmCBL1, ZmCBL4) as interaction partners of ZmCIPK42. These interactions were further confirmed by bimolecular fluorescence complementation in plant cells. Moreover, over‐expressing ZmCIPK42 resulted in enhanced tolerance to high salinity in both maize and Arabidopsis. These findings suggest that ZmCIPK42 is a positive regulator of salt stress tolerance and is a promising candidate gene to improve salt stress tolerance in maize through genetic manipulation.
Characterization of the Salt Overly Sensitive pathway genes in sugarcane under salinity stress
Authors: Brindha Chinnasamy , Vasantha Srinivasavedantham , Raja Arun K. , Tayade Arjun S.
Published: October 2020

The Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway is a crucial ion homeostasis process in crop plants trafficking excess Na+ ions for elimination/sequestration. The SOS pathway genes SOS1 (Na+/H+ antiporter), SOS2 (CIPK), and SOS3 (CBL) associated with ion homeostasis were isolated and characterized in the sugarcane clone Co 85019. The isolated genes had a coding region of 1086, 904, and 636 bp, respectively. A nucleotide blast analysis of the isolated SOS gene sequences showed strong similarity with previous genes found to be involved in the active functioning of the SOS pathway for ion homeostasis conferring salinity tolerance in sugarcane. The analysis of tissue specific gene expression of the identified SOS genes revealed a significant linear increase in the leaves under the first 96 h of salt stress (2.5‐ to 21.6‐fold) in the tolerant genotype Co 85019, while the expression in the roots showed a linear increase up to 48 h and thereafter a gradual decline. The expression of SOS genes in the susceptible genotype (Co 97010) was significantly lower than in the tolerant genotype. Tissue ion content analysis also revealed a differential accumulation of Na+ and K+ ions in the contrasting sugarcane genotypes (Co 85019 and Co 97010) and this corroborates the varied expressions of SOS genes between the tolerant and susceptible varieties under salinity. Genome‐wide analysis of identified SOS family genes showed the homologs in Saccharum complex members, Sorghum bicolor and Zea mays, and this verifies a close genetic similarity among these genera.
Physical and geochemical record of an early Eocene carbon‐cycle perturbation on a turbiditic continental margin
Authors: Martínez‐Braceras Naroa , Payros Aitor , Arostegi Javier , Dinarès‐Turell Jaume
Published: October 2020

Multivariate analysis of the elemental composition of hemipelagic sedimentary successions has provided invaluable information about palaeoenvironmental evolution, including records of short‐lived Eocene hyperthermal events. However, few studies have analyzed the sedimentary record of these climatic events in turbidite‐rich continental margin successions. In order to test the usefulness of multivariate statistical techniques (factor and cluster analysis) in palaeonvironmental and palaeoclimatic research on turbiditic successions, the lowermost Eocene Solondota section, which accumulated on the North Iberian continental margin, was studied. A prominent negative carbon isotope excursion from Solondota was correlated with the Ypresian (early Eocene) hyperthermal event J, also known as C24n.2rH1. High‐resolution sedimentological, geochemical (stable isotopes, major and trace elements) and mineralogical (bulk and clay mineralogy) data show that multivariate statistical analysis helps to manage large‐sized quantitative datasets objectively, avoiding arbitrary choice of representative elements and identifying environmental factors (virtual variables) that may not be evident otherwise. Variations in major and minor elements from hemipelagic carbonates across the Solondota carbon isotope excursion suggest a temporarily more humid continental climate, which caused increased terrigenous material input into the marine environment. The finer grained fraction boosted hemipelagic carbonate dilution, whereas the coarser grained sediment was transported by temporarily more frequent and voluminous turbidity currents. Thus, the results from the Solondota carbon isotope excursion revealed similarities with deep marine records of other early Eocene minor hyperthermal events. This demonstrates the validity of deep‐marine turbiditic successions for providing reliable sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical records of global palaeoclimatic significance, complementing the information obtained from other sedimentary environments. Furthermore, the generally expanded nature of turbiditic successions can potentially provide palaeoclimatic information at very high resolution, enriching, and perhaps improving, the commonly condensed and sometimes discontinuous record of hemipelagic‐only successions.
OsWUS promotes tiller bud growth by establishing weak apical dominance in rice
Authors: Xia Tianyu , Chen Hongqi , Dong Sujun , Ma Zeyang , Ren Haibo , Zhu Xudong , Fang Xiaohua , Chen Fan
Published: October 2020

Two branching strategies are exhibited in crops: enhanced apical dominance, as in maize; or weak apical dominance, as in rice. However, the underlying mechanism of weak apical dominance remains elusive. OsWUS, an ortholog of Arabidopsis WUSCHEL (WUS) in rice, is required for tiller development. In this study, we identified and functionally characterized a low‐tillering mutant decreased culm number 1 (dc1) that resulted from loss‐of‐function of OsWUS. The dc1 tiller buds are viable but repressed by the main culm apex, leading to stronger apical dominance than that of the wild‐type (WT). Auxin response is enhanced in the dc1 mutant, and knocking out the auxin action‐associated gene ABERRANT SPIKELET AND PANICLE 1 (ASP1) de‐repressed growth of the tiller buds in the dc1 mutant, suggesting that OsWUS and ASP1 are both involved in outgrowth of the rice tiller bud. Decapitation triggers higher contents of cytokinins in the shoot base of the dc1 mutant compared with those in the WT, and exogenous application of cytokinin is not sufficient for sustained growth of the dc1 tiller bud. Transcriptome analysis indicated that expression levels of transcription factors putatively bound by ORYZA SATIVA HOMEOBOX 1 (OSH1) are changed in response to decapitation and display a greater fold change in the dc1 mutant than that in the WT. Collectively, these findings reveal an important role of OsWUS in tiller bud growth by influencing apical dominance, and provide the basis for an improved understanding of tiller bud development in rice.
Comparison of two nucleic acid amplification technology systems for detection of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus
Authors: Coleman Charl , Lelie Nico , Rademeyer Ronel , van Drimmelen Harry , van den Berg Karin , Vermeulen Marion
Published: October 2020

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are endemic in South Africa while hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is rare. Two nucleic acid amplification technology platforms, the Procleix Ultrio Elite assay on the Panther instrument (Elite) and the cobas MPX assay on the cobas 6800 or 8800 system (MPX), are used worldwide. In 2015 these were evaluated in South African context.

Study Design and Methods

The sensitivity of HIV, HBV, and HCV was evaluated using reference panels and 2‐fold dilutions of 51 positive plasma samples tested in 12 to 24 replicates. The 95% and 50% lower limits of detection (LOD) were estimated by probit analysis and window period (WP) risk days by the Weusten model. Specificity was established by testing 3646 blood donations individually and instrument performance by evaluating all runs.

Results

Specificity was 99.94% for MPX and 99.97% for Elite. The following 95% LODs (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were estimated for MPX and Elite, respectively: HBV, 17.8 (10.9‐33.9) and 47.9 (29.1‐92.4) cp/mL; HCV, 21.9 (15.3‐34.6) and 13.8 (8.9‐24.0) cp/mL; and HIV, 8.3 (5.5‐14.7) and 10.4 (6.9‐18.2) cp/mL. On SA HBV and HIV dilution panels, relative sensitivity (range) of MPX was 3.20 (1.26‐6.50) and 1.42 (0.26‐2.72) fold higher than Elite. Downtime on cobas 6800 was 26 hours vs 6.6 hours on Panther (P < .001). We estimated infectious WPs for HBV, HCV, and HIV‐1 at 13.8, 1.8, and 2.6 days for Elite and 10.3, 2.1, and 2.4 days for MPX.

Conclusion

Although MPX was significantly more sensitive for HBV, Elite was implemented due to instrument reliability during evaluation.
On the Effect of Supplied Flow Rate to the Performance of a Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing—Static Load and Dynamic Force Measurements
Authors: San Andrés Luis , Jani Hardik , Kaizar Hussain , Thorat Manish
Published: October 2020

Rotating machinery relies on engineered tilting-pad journal bearings (TPJB) to provide static load support with minimal drag power losses, safe pad temperatures, and ensuring a rotor-dynamic stable rotor operation. End users focus on reducing the supplied oil flow rate into a bearing to both lower operational costs and to increase drive power efficiency. This paper presents measurements of the steady-state and dynamic forced performance of a TPJB whilst focusing on the influence of supplied oil flow rate, below and above a nominal condition (50% and 150%). The test bearing has five pads, slenderness ratio L/D = 0.4, spherical pivots with pad offset = 50%, and a preload –0.40, with a clearance to radius ratio (Cr/R) ≈ 0.001 at room temperature. The bearing is installed under a load-between-pads (LBP) orientation and has a flooded housing with end seals. The test conditions include operation at various shaft surface speeds (32 m/s–85 m/s) and specific static loads from 0.17 MPa to 2.1 MPa. A turbine oil lubricates the bearing with a speed-dependent flow rate delivered at a constant supply temperature. Measurements obtained at a steady thermal equilibrium include the journal static eccentricity and attitude angle, the oil exit temperature rise, and the pads' subsurface temperatures at various locations, circumferential and axial. The rig includes measurement of the drive torque and shaft speed to produce the bearing drag power loss. Dynamic force coefficients include stiffness, damping, and virtual-mass coefficients. As expected, the drag power and the lubricant temperature rise depend mainly on shaft speed rather than on applied load. A reduction in oil flow rate to 50% of its nominal magnitude causes a modest increase in journal eccentricity, a 15% reduction in drag power loss, a moderate raise (6 °C) in pads' subsurface temperatures, a slight increase (up to 6%) in the direct stiffnesses, and a decrease (up to 7%) in direct damping coefficients. Conversely, a 1.5 times increase in oil flow rate causes a slight increase (up to 9%) in drag power loss, a moderate reduction of pads' temperatures (up to 3 °C), a maximum 5% reduction in direct stiffnesses, and a maximum 10% increase in direct damping. The paper also presents comparisons of the test results against predictions from a thermo-elastohydrodynamic (TEHD) lubrication model. In conclusion, a 50% reduced oil flow rate only causes a slight degradation in the test bearing static and dynamic force performance and does not make the bearing operation unsafe for tests with surface speed up to 74 m/s. As an important corollary, the measured bearing drag power differs from the conventional estimate derived from the product of the supplied flow rate, the lubricant-specific heat, and the oil exit temperature rise.
Imaging and quantifying homeostatic levels of intracellular silicon in diatoms
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Rechav Katya , Kaplan-Ashiri Ifat , Gal Assaf
Published: October 2020

A quantitative analysis of ion concentrations within cells is presented using state-of-the-art cryo–electron microscopy.
A multimillennial climatic context for the megafaunal extinctions in Madagascar and Mascarene Islands
Authors: Li Hanying , Sinha Ashish , Anquetil André Aurèle , Spötl Christoph , Vonhof Hubert B. , Meunier Arnaud , Kathayat Gayatri , Duan Pengzhen , Voarintsoa Ny Riavo G. , Ning Youfeng , Biswas Jayant , Hu Peng , Li Xianglei , Sha Lijuan , Zhao Jingyao , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai
Published: October 2020

Human activities within the context of a drying trend triggered the megafaunal extinctions in Madagascar and Mascarene Islands.
Electrothermal soft manipulator enabling safe transport and handling of thin cell/tissue sheets and bioelectronic devices
Authors: Kim Byoung Soo , Kim Min Ku , Cho Younghak , Hamed Eman E. , Gillette Martha U. , Cha Hyeongyun , Miljkovic Nenad , Aakalu Vinay K. , Kang Kai , Son Kyung-No , Schachtschneider Kyle M. , Schook Lawrence B. , Hu Chenfei , Popescu Gabriel , Park Yeonsoo , Ballance William C. , Yu Seunggun , Im Sung Gap , Lee Jonghwi , Lee Chi Hwan , Kong Hyunjoon
Published: October 2020

This soft machine can pick up and release an ultrathin “living” cell sheet and electronics without crumpling.
Autonomous atmospheric water seeping MOF matrix
Authors: Yilmaz G. , Meng F. L. , Lu W. , Abed J. , Peh C. K. N. , Gao M. , Sargent E. H. , Ho G. W.
Published: October 2020

Polymer-MOF hybrid enables simultaneous and uninterrupted sorption and release of atmospheric water.
Sweden's gamble
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: October 2020

The country's pandemic policies came at a high price—and created painful rifts in its scientific community.
Bioengineered human blood vessels
Authors: Niklason Laura E. , Lawson Jeffrey H.
Published: October 2020

Evolution of bioengineered blood vessels

Biotechnology approaches to repair and replace arteries have been under development for more than a century. Early synthetic approaches used rubber-based replacements, which then evolved into the use of polymer fabrics and, more recently, into biological approaches that permit the growth of blood vessels in the laboratory. Niklason and Lawson review the scientific and technological advances that allow the regeneration of a patient's own blood vessels. The authors discuss how blood vessel cells, when combined with suitable substrates for tissue growth under conditions that mimic human physiology, can produce functional bioengineered arteries. These biological approaches pave the way to advancing how vascular disease is managed and treated in the future.

Science
, this issue p.
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Contextualizing bats as viral reservoirs
Authors: Streicker Daniel G. , Gilbert Amy T.
Published: October 2020

Preventing zoonotic emergence from bats requires integrative research
Microglial autophagy–associated phagocytosis is essential for recovery from neuroinflammation
Authors: Berglund Rasmus , Guerreiro-Cacais Andre Ortlieb , Adzemovic Milena Z. , Zeitelhofer Manuel , Lund Harald , Ewing Ewoud , Ruhrmann Sabrina , Nutma Erik , Parsa Roham , Thessen-Hedreul Melanie , Amor Sandra , Harris Robert A. , Olsson Tomas , Jagodic Maja
Published: October 2020

Degradation of tissue debris and recovery from neuroinflammatory disease are impaired inAtg7-deficient microglia, a process mirrored by aging.
Factors associated with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in Germany: results from German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008–2011
Authors: Du Yong , Baumert Jens , Paprott Rebecca , Teti Andrea , Heidemann Christin , Scheidt-Nave Christa
Published: October 2020

Introduction

To identify characteristics of people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) among adults in Germany.

Research design and methods

The study population comprised participants aged 40–79 years of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008–2011. Glycemic status was categorized as undiagnosed T2D (glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%), n=135), diagnosed T2D (n=518) and normoglycemia (HbA1c<48 mmol/mol (6.5%), n=4451). Multinomial logistic regression models including glycemic status as the outcome variable and sociodemographic characteristics, living alone, diabetes risk factors and healthcare services utilization as independent variables were used to identify factors associated with undiagnosed T2D compared with normoglycemia and diagnosed T2D. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported as measure of association between the outcome and independent variables.

Results

The prevalence of undiagnosed T2D was 2.9% (95% CI 2.2% to 3.9%) at an overall prevalence of 12.3% (11.0% to 13.6%) of persons with undiagnosed or diagnosed T2D. In multivariable analyses, factors associated with undiagnosed as well as diagnosed T2D in comparison to normoglycemia were older age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06, per year, for undiagnosed T2D; OR 1.08, 1.07 to 1.10 for diagnosed T2D), male sex (3.33, 2.18 to 5.07; 1.91, 1.43 to 2.56), obesity (3.47, 2.17 to 5.56; 2.68, 2.04 to 3.52), hypertension (1.66, 1.09 to 2.53; 2.04, 1.42 to 2.95) and parental history of diabetes (2.04, 1.24 to 3.35; 3.16, 2.30 to 4.34). Variables independently associated with undiagnosed T2D but not diagnosed T2D included living alone (2.20; 1.36 to 3.56) and not seeing a doctor within the past year (2.57; 1.34 to 4.93). People with undiagnosed T2D were further younger and more likely to be male sex and reside in the western part of Germany than people with diagnosed T2D.

Conclusion

Apart from major known risk factors of diabetes, characteristics specific to undiagnosed diabetes among adults in Germany will serve to inform the national education and communication strategy on diabetes mellitus in Germany.
Clinical outcomes of pre-loaded ultra-thin DSAEK and pre-loaded DMEK
Authors: Romano Vito , Pagano Luca , Gadhvi Kunal A , Coco Giulia , Titley Mitchell , Fenech Matthew Thomas , Ferrari Stefano , Levis Hannah J , Parekh Mohit , Kaye Stephen
Published: October 2020

Objective

To compare clinical outcomes and complications between pre-loaded ultra-thin Descemet stripping automated endothelialkeratoplasty (pl-UT-DSAEK) and pre-loaded Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (pl-DMEK).

Methods and analysis

Comparative study in patients with endothelial dysfunction associated with Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy who underwent pl-UT-DSAEK or pl-DMEK transplants. For both groups, the tissues were pre-loaded at the Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto (Venice, Italy) and shipped to The Royal Liverpool University Hospital (Liverpool, UK). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and re-bubbling rates were the main outcome measures.

Results

56 eyes of 56 patients were included. 31 received pl-UT-DSAEK and 25 received pl-DMEK. At 12 months, BCVA (LogMAR) was significantly better for pl-DMEK (0.17±0.20 LogMAR) compared with pl-UT-DSAEK (0.37±0.37 LogMAR, p<0.01). The percentage of people that achieved ≥20/30 was significantly higher in the pl-DMEK group. The rate of re-bubbling, however, was significantly higher for pl-DMEK (44.0%) than for Pl-UT-DSAEK (12.9%), p<0.01.

Conclusion

Pl-DMEK offers better BCVA than pl-UT-DSAEK. The higher re-bubbling rate associated with pre-loaded DMEK is of concern.
Ovule-gall stimulating a large fake fruit onMiconia chamissoisNaudin (Melastomataceae): a structural overview
Authors: Bomfim Phabliny M.S. , Kuster Vinícius C. , Caetano Ana Paula S. , Gonçalves Letícia A. , Oliveira Denis C.
Published: October 2020

The developmental processes of galls are better known when they are induced on vegetative organs, whereas they have hardly ever been described for reproductive ones. Herein, galls induced by Allorhogas uberlandiensis (Hymenoptera) on ovules of Miconia chamissois Naudin (Melastomataceae) were analyzed in terms of morphological, anatomical, histochemical, and cytological characteristics. Galls are induced on the ovules before fertilization, and act as a physiological seed. Therefore, the ovary grows and develops into a fruit-like gall. The ovule-galls are on average 20-times larger than the seeds, and fruit-like gall volume is on average 5.4-times greater than that of mature fruits. These are related to cell hypertrophy and tissue hyperplasia in the host organ. There is a typical nutritive-tissue formation in the ovule-gall with lipid, protein, and pectin storage, as well as a storage tissue close to the epidermis. This nutritive tissue shows a smooth endoplasmic reticulum, multivesicular bodies, and mitochondria-rich cells. After gall induction, all of the ovules degenerate, and the ovary and hypanthium hypertrophy to form the fruit-like gall. The fruit-like galls form a physical barrier blocking the anthesis, thereby preventing fertilization and keeping only ovule-galls. Our study shows that the galling insect A. uberlandensis may reduce the reproductive success of M. chamissois, thus acting as a biological control agent for this host-plant population.
An animal model of gestational obesity and prediabetes: HISS-dependent insulin resistance induced by a high-sucrose diet in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Lovat Nicole E.J. , Legare Dallas J. , Lautt W. Wayne
Published: October 2020

This study developed an animal model of gestational obesity and prediabetes in Sprague Dawley rats using 35% sucrose supplementation (SS). Postprandially, insulin stimulates glucose uptake and nutrient partitioning via insulin-dependent action as well as hepatic insulin sensitizing substance (HISS) – dependent action. HISS is glycogenic in heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle (contrasting insulin’s lipogenic actions in liver and adipose tissue) and is responsible for the vasodilatory action of insulin. Postprandial insulin sensitivity was quantified using the rapid insulin sensitivity test (RIST). Animals at 15-day gestation and virgin animals received SS for 8 weeks (with a 2-week recovery), 10 weeks, or 22 weeks. SS in pregnant and virgin rats eliminated HISS-dependent glucose uptake, resulting in compensatory hyperinsulinemia and resultant hypertriglyceridemia and obesity. In groups with SS for 8 weeks followed by a 2-week recovery, there was spontaneous partial recovery of HISS-dependent glucose uptake in virgins and complete recovery in pregnancy. The 10-week SS resulted in complete absence of HISS-dependent glucose uptake and produced a model of gestational obesity and prediabetes. The 22-week SS did not produce hyperglycemia or worsen hyperinsulinemia but did increase hypertriglyceridemia above 10-week SS. This substantiates the use of 10-week SS as a model of gestational obesity and (or) prediabetes, allowing further studies into treatments of gestational obesity and insulin resistance.
An Ensemble of Ensembles Approach to Author Attribution for Internet Relay Chat Forensics
Authors: Shao Sicong , Tunc Cihan , Al-Shawi Amany , Hariri Salim
Published: October 2020

With the advances in Internet technologies and services, social media has been gained extreme popularity, especially because these technologies provide potential anonymity, which in turn harbors hacker discussion forums, underground markets, dark web, and so on. Internet relay chat (IRC) is a real-time communication protocol actively used by cybercriminals for hacking, cracking, and carding. Hence, it is particularly urgent to identify the authors of threat messages and malicious activities in IRC. Unfortunately, author identification studies in IRC remain as an underexplored area. In this research, we perform novel IRC text feature extraction methods and propose the first author attribution version of the deep forest (DF) model that is an ensemble of ensembles that utilizes the fusion of ensemble learning techniques. Our approach is supported by autonomic IRC monitoring. Experiments show that our approach is highly effective for author attribution and attains high accuracy even when the number of candidates is large while training data is limited.
How Do Classifiers Induce Agents to Invest Effort Strategically?
Authors: Kleinberg Jon , Raghavan Manish
Published: October 2020

Algorithms are often used to produce decision-making rules that classify or evaluate individuals. When these individuals have incentives to be classified a certain way, they may behave strategically to influence their outcomes. We develop a model for how strategic agents can invest effort in order to change the outcomes they receive, and we give a tight characterization of when such agents can be incentivized to invest specified forms of effort into improving their outcomes as opposed to “gaming” the classifier. We show that whenever any “reasonable” mechanism can do so, a simple linear mechanism suffices.
Optimal Budget-Feasible Mechanisms for Additive Valuations
Authors: Gravin Nick , Jin Yaonan , Lu Pinyan , Zhang Chenhao
Published: October 2020

In this article, we show a tight approximation guarantee for budget-feasible mechanisms with an additive buyer. We propose a new simple randomized mechanism with approximation ratio of 2, improving the previous best known result of 3. Our bound is tight with respect to either the optimal offline benchmark or its fractional relaxation. We also present a simple deterministic mechanism with the tight approximation guarantee of 3 against the fractional optimum, improving the best known result of (2+ √ 2) for the weaker integral benchmark.