bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A chromosome‐level genome assembly ofPyropia haitanensis(Bangiales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Cao Min , Xu Kuipeng , Yu Xinzi , Bi Guiqi , Liu Yang , Kong Fanna , Sun Peipei , Tang Xianghai , Du Guoying , Ge Yuan , Wang Dongmei , Mao Yunxiang
Published: October 2019

Pyropia haitanensis(Bangiales, Rhodophyta), a major economically important marine crop, is also considered as an ideal research model of Rhodophyta to address several major biological questions such as sexual reproduction and adaptation to intertidal abiotic stresses. However, comparative genomic analysis to decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms is hindered by the lack of high‐quality genome information. Therefore, we integrated sequencing data from Illumina short‐read sequencing, PacBio single‐molecule sequencing and BioNano optical genome mapping. The assembled genome was approximately 53.3 Mb with an average GC% of 67.9%. The contig N50 and scaffold N50 were 510.3 kb and 5.8 Mb, respectively. Additionally, 10 superscaffolds representing 80.9% of the total assembly (42.7 Mb) were anchored and orientated to the 5 linkage groups based on markers and genetic distance; this outcome is consistent with the karyotype of five chromosomes (n = 5) based on cytological observation inP. haitanensis. Approximately 9.6% and 14.6% of the genomic region were interspersed repeat and tandem repeat elements, respectively. Based on full‐length transcriptome data generated by PacBio, 10,903 protein‐coding genes were identified. The construction of a genome‐wide phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the divergence time ofP. haitanensisandPorphyra umbilicaliswas ~204.4 Ma. Interspecies comparison revealed that 493 gene families were expanded and that 449 were contracted in theP. haitanensisgenome compared with those in thePo. umbilicalisgenome. The genome identified is of great value for further research on the genome evolution of red algae and genetic adaptation to intertidal stresses.
A model of biased intermediation
Authors: de Cornière Alexandre , Taylor Greg
Published: October 2019

We study situations in which consumers rely on a biased intermediary's advice when choosing among sellers. We introduce the notion that sellers' and consumers' payoffs can be congruent or conflicting, and show that this has important implications for the effects of bias. Under congruence, the firm benefiting from bias has an incentive to offer a better deal than its rival and consumers can be better‐off than under no bias. Under conflict, the favored firm offers lower utility, and bias harms consumers. We study various policies for dealing with bias and show that their efficacy also depends on whether the payoffs exhibit congruence or conflict.
Patiromer for Treatment of Hyperkalemia in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rafique Zubaid , Liu Mengyang , Staggers Kristen A. , Minard Charles G. , Peacock W. Frank
Published: October 2019

Background

Hyperkalemia is common and potentially life threatening. Patiromer is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐cleared oral potassium binder effective in the chronic treatment of hyperkalemia.

Objective

The objective was to investigate the potential efficacy and safety of oral patiromer in treating acute hyperkalemia in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

This is a single‐center, randomized, open‐label convenience sample pilot study in an inner‐city ED. Adult patients with end‐stage renal disease and a serum potassium level of ≥ 6.0 mEq/L were randomized to standard of care (SOC) or one dose of 25.2 g oral patiromer plus SOC (PAT). Blood samples and electrocardiograms were collected at enrollment and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours thereafter. The primary outcome was the difference in potassium between groups at 6 hours. Secondary outcomes were the amount and number of times insulin and albuterol were given.

Results

Thirty patients were included in the final analysis, 15 in each group. There were no differences in age, sex, or baseline serum potassium. There was no difference in mean serum potassium between SOC and PAT groups at 6 hours (6.32 mEq/L, confidence interval [CI] = 6.0 to 6.63 mEq/L vs. 5.81 mEq/L, CI = 5.48 to 6.14 mEq/L). However, 2 hours posttreatment the serum potassium of the PAT group was lower than SOC group (5.90 mEq/L, CI = 5.63 to 6.17 mEq/L vs. 6.51 mEq/L, CI = 6.25 to 6.78 mEq/L) and also 0.61 mEq/L lower than baseline. There were no differences in the amount or number of administrations of insulin or albuterol between groups, although the amount of albuterol used in the PAT group at 6 hours was lower but not significant (median, 0 mg vs. 12.5 mg; p = 0.097). There were no differences in adverse events between groups.

Conclusion

In this open‐label pilot study of severe hyperkalemia, a single dose of 25.2 g of oral patiromer reduced serum potassium within 2 hours but did not show a difference at 6 hours. This is the first study showing that patiromer may have a role in the acute management of hyperkalemia; however, more rigorous studies are needed.
Functional and structural social support, substance use and sexual orientation from a nationally representative sample of US adults
Authors: Kahle Erin M. , Veliz Phil , McCabe Sean Esteban , Boyd Carol J.
Published: October 2019

Background and Aims

Sexual minority (SM) populations experience higher rates of substance use disorder (SUD) associated with increased sexual orientation‐related stress. Social support may moderate the impact of stress on SUD among SM adults. This study assessed associations between social support and DSM‐5 SUD by sex and sexual minority identity.

Design

Cross‐sectional study using data from the 2012–13 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC‐III).

Setting and participants

A nationally representative cross‐sectional sample of adults (n = 36 309) in the United States.

Measurements

SUD were defined based on the DSM‐5 criteria for alcohol use (AUD), tobacco use (TUD) and drug use (DUD) disorders. Structural social support was measured as the type and frequency of kin and non‐kin contact, and functional social support was measured by the Social Provision Scale.

Findings

SM adults had higher odds of all SUD compared to heterosexual adults [AUD = 1.535, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.782–1.844; TUD = 1.512, 95% CI = 1.234–1.854; DUD = 1.520, 95% CI = 1.139–2.028]; SM women experienced the highest proportion of all SUD (AUD = 27.1%, TUD = 29.1%, DUD = 10.9%). Type of social support was differentially associated with SUD by sex and sexual identity status. Higher social provision was associated with lower rates of AUD [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.771, 95% CI = 0.705–0.844], TUD (aOR = 0.747, 95% CI = 0.694–0.804] and DUD (aOR = 0.558, 95% CI = 0.490–0.636). Marriage was associated with lower SUD among heterosexual men (AUD, aOR = 0.500, 95% CI = 0.432–0.579; TUD, aOR = 0.603, 95% CI = 0.521–0.699; DUD, aOR = 0.504, 95% CI = 0.369–0.689) and women (AUD, aOR = 0.637, 95% CI = 0.529–0.767; TUD = 0.0.584, 95% CI = 0.507–0.671; DUD, aOR = 0.515, 95% CI = 0.372–0.712). Compared to heterosexual adults, SM women with at least one child under the age of 18 years had higher odds of TUD (aOR = 1.990, 95% CI = 1.325–2.988). SM‐related discrimination was not associated with SUD among some SM subgroups, but discrimination among male heterosexually identifying individuals reporting same‐sex attraction or behavior was associated AUD (aOR = 4.608, 95% CI = 1.615–13.14).

Conclusions

In the United States there are significant associations between functional support (quality or provision of support) and structural support (type and frequency of social networks) and substance use disorder (SUD) which differ by sex and sexual identity status.
Regulating the family through religion
Authors: KOCAMANER HIKMET
Published: October 2019

Under Turkey's neoconservative government, the Directorate of Religious Affairs deploys state‐employed religious functionaries to provide Sunni Muslim citizens with advice and guidance on family life. By inculcating government‐sanctioned sensibilities and dispositions related to kinship, these Islamic authorities have become instrumental to extending state power into the domestic lives of the religious majority. This particular entwinement of religion with state power is no aberration. Indeed, the Turkish case reveals a contradiction that lies at the heart of secular governance: the continuing involvement of religion in the politics of the family despite the assumed separation of religion and politics. Secular states may appropriate religious discourses and authority in regulating intimacy and the family while aligning these with biopolitical rationalities, as well as with secular laws and expertise. [secularism, kinship, family, intimacy, governmentality, the state, expertise, Islam, Turkey]
Who Stays On? The Link between Psychosocial Patterns and Changes in Exercise and Sport Behaviour When Adolescents Make Transitions in Education
Authors: Schmid Julia , Gut Vanessa , Yanagida Takuya , Conzelmann Achim
Published: October 2019

Background

The first aim of the present study was to identify psychosocial patterns among adolescents at lower secondary school. Employing the motivation and volition process model and a socioecological framework, self‐concordance, action planning, social support, and club‐related exercise and sport activities were included as indicators. The second aim was to examine how these patterns are associated with the maintenance of exercise and sport during students’ transition to upper secondary education. The last aim was to investigate whether the associations were moderated by individuals’ subjective evaluation of the transition.

Methods

One‐year longitudinal data of 392 adolescents were analysed. All variables were measured via online self‐report.

Results

Based on latent profile analysis, four patterns were found: “averages”, “club enthusiasts”, “club engaged planners”, and “less motivated and social uncommits”. Regression analyses showed that the club engaged planners were more likely to adopt and maintain exercise and sport than to drop out. Additionally, moderation analyses revealed that the averages were less likely to be maintainers/adopters when they evaluated the transition more negatively.

Conclusion

People with relatively high action planning and a high number of club‐related activities were less vulnerable to decreasing their activity time during the transition to upper secondary education. Furthermore, transitional stress bore no negative association with students’ exercise and sport behaviour.
Identification of a novel heterozygous guanosine monophosphate reductase (GMPR) variant in a patient with a late‐onset disorder of mitochondrial DNA maintenance
Authors: Sommerville Ewen W. , Dalla Rosa Ilaria , Rosenberg Masha M. , Bruni Francesco , Thompson Kyle , Rocha Mariana , Blakely Emma L. , He Langping , Falkous Gavin , Schaefer Andrew M. , Yu‐Wai‐Man Patrick , Chinnery Patrick F. , Hedstrom Lizbeth , Spinazzola Antonella , Taylor Robert W. , Gorman Gráinne S.
Published: October 2019

Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (adPEO) is a late‐onset, Mendelian mitochondrial disorder characterised by paresis of the extraocular muscles, ptosis, and skeletal‐muscle restricted multiple mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions. Although dominantly inherited, pathogenic variants in POLG, TWNK and RRM2B are among the most common genetic defects of adPEO, identification of novel candidate genes and the underlying pathomechanisms remains challenging. We report the clinical, genetic and molecular investigations of a patient who presented in the seventh decade of life with PEO. Oxidative histochemistry revealed cytochrome c oxidase‐deficient fibres and occasional ragged red fibres showing subsarcolemmal mitochondrial accumulation in skeletal muscle, while molecular studies identified the presence of multiple mtDNA deletions. Negative candidate screening of known nuclear genes associated with PEO prompted diagnostic exome sequencing, leading to the prioritisation of a novel heterozygous c.547G>C variant in GMPR (NM_006877.3) encoding guanosine monophosphate reductase, a cytosolic enzyme required for maintaining the cellular balance of adenine and guanine nucleotides. We show that the novel c.547G>C variant causes aberrant splicing, decreased GMPR protein levels in patient skeletal muscle, proliferating and quiescent cells, and is associated with subtle changes in nucleotide homeostasis protein levels and evidence of disturbed mtDNA maintenance in skeletal muscle. Despite confirmation of GMPR deficiency, demonstrating marked defects of mtDNA replication or nucleotide homeostasis in patient cells proved challenging. Our study proposes that GMPR is the 19th locus for PEO and highlights the complexities of uncovering disease mechanisms in late‐onset PEO phenotypes.
Application of the 2017 criteria for vascular Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome in 50 patients ascertained according to the Villefranche nosology
Authors: Ritelli Marco , Rovati Chiara , Venturini Marina , Chiarelli Nicola , Cinquina Valeria , Castori Marco , Colombi Marina
Published: October 2019

Vascular Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder due to heterozygous pathogenic COL3A1 variants. Arterial, intestinal, and/or uterine fragility is the disease hallmark and results in reduced life expectancy. The clinical diagnosis is not always straightforward and patients’ selection for molecular confirmation depends on the characteristics of applied criteria, that is, the Villefranche criteria (in use until 2017) and their revision according to the new EDS nosology. Herein, we reassessed the clinical features of 50 molecularly proven vEDS patients, diagnosed according to the Villefranche nosology between 2000 and 2016, using the 2017 classification in order to explore its clinical application. Our findings indicate that the Villefranche criteria were particularly valuable for symptomatic patients, even if with a limited specificity. Our study also suggests that the revised vEDS criteria, although expected to be more specific, might have a poorer accuracy, principally in terms of sensitivity. Both sets of criteria are less effective in presymptomatic young patients, especially in the absence of a clear‐cut family history. For these patients, the careful evaluation of the cutaneous, articular, and dysmorphic features and, above all, genetic testing remain crucial to set‐up proper follow‐up and surveillance before catastrophic vascular and intestinal events.
Paired assistance policy and recovery from the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake: a network perspective
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Tang Guijuan
Published: October 2019

The role of the paired assistance policy (PAP) in facilitating recovery after the Wenchuan earthquake in China on 12 May 2008 is best analysed from a network perspective. This paper makes five assumptions to explore the relationship, and then draws on three additional cases to examine them. The key findings support all five assumptions. First, the interactions of authority compliance initiated the PAP, and second, the interactions of resource input significantly contributed to rapid reconstruction following the earthquake. Third, the interactions of knowledge transfer supported social system recovery, and fourth, the interactions of benefit reciprocity laid the foundation for sustainable recovery. Fifth, by contrast, the interactions of performance comparison caused suboptimal overfunding of particular public infrastructure projects and reduced local self‐reliance to some extent. Finally, suggestions are made to improve the policy implications of extending the use of the PAP in other administrative contexts. The PAP could become an even more important policy device in the future.
Social context hinders humans but not ravens in a short‐term memory task
Authors: Bobrowicz Katarzyna , Osvath Mathias
Published: October 2019

Using resources shared within a social group—either in a cooperative or a competitive way—requires keeping track of own and others’ actions, which, in turn, requires well‐developed short‐term memory. Although short‐term memory has been tested in social mammal species, little is known about this capacity in highly social birds, such as ravens. We compared ravens (Corvus corax) with humans in spatial tasks based on caching, which required short‐term memory of one's own and of others’ actions. Human short‐term memory has been most extensively tested of all social mammal species, hence providing an informative benchmark for the ravens. A recent study on another corvid species (Corvus corone) suggests their capacity to be similar to the humans’, but short‐term memory skills have, to date, not been compared in a social setting. We used spatial setups based on caches of foods or objects, divided into individual and social conditions with two different spatial arrangements of caches (in a row or a 3 × 3 matrix). In each trial, a set of three up to nine caches was presented to an individual that was thereafter allowed to retrieve all items. Humans performed better on average across trials, but their performance dropped, when they had to keep track of partner's actions. This differed in ravens, as keeping track of such actions did not impair their performance. However, both humans and ravens demonstrated more memory‐related mistakes in the social than in the individual conditions. Therefore, whereas both the ravens’ and the humans’ memory suffered in the social conditions, the ravens seemed to deal better with the demands of these conditions. The social conditions had a competitive element, and one might speculate that ravens’ memory strategies are more attuned to such situations, in particular in caching contexts, than is the case for humans.
Modifications of H3K4 methylation levels are associated with DNA hypermethylation in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Scalea Stefania , Maresca Carmen , Catalanotto Caterina , Marino Rachele , Cogoni Carlo , Reale Anna , Zampieri Michele , Zardo Giuseppe
Published: October 2019

The ‘instructive model’ of aberrant DNA methylation in human tumors is based on the observation that CpG islands prone to hypermethylation in cancers are embedded in chromatin enriched in H3K27me3 in human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Recent studies also link methylation of CpG islands to the methylation status of H3K4, where H3K4me3 is inversely correlated with DNA methylation. To provide insight into these conflicting findings, we generated DNA methylation profiles for acute myeloid leukemia samples from patients and leukemic cell lines and integrated them with publicly available ChIp‐seq data, containing H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 CpG island occupation in hESC, or hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (hHSC/MPP). Hypermethylated CpG islands in AML samples displayed H3K27me3 enrichments in hESC and hHSC/MPP; however, ChIp analysis of specific hypermethylated CpG islands revealed a significant reduction in H3K4me3 signal with a concomitant increase in H3K4me0 levels as opposed to a nonsignificant increase in H3K27me3 marks. The integration of AML DNA methylation profiles with the ChIp‐seq data in hESC and hHSC/MPP also led to the identification of Iroquois homeobox 2 (IRX2) as a previously unknown factor promoting differentiation of leukemic cells. Our results indicate that in contrast to the ‘instructive model’, H3K4me3 levels are strongly associated with DNA methylation patterns in AML and have a role in the regulation of critical genes, such as the putative tumor suppressor IRX2.
A new temporal prediction method of grazing pressure based on normalized difference vegetation index and precipitation using nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input networks
Authors: Wu Taosuo , Feng Feng , Lin Qian , Bai Hongmei
Published: October 2019

Restoration of natural vegetation in arid and semi‐arid grasslands is facing severe challenges. The vegetation is easy to lose their vitality, resulting in the loss of the cover in natural grasslands under the high grazing pressure. To address this situation, this paper proposes a novel method for accurately predicting the grazing pressure using the nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) network based on the remote sensing data of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and precipitation. The proposed method uses the NARX networks to predict the temporal variations of the NDVI with respect to the precipitation. The grazing pressure can be thus calculated using the predicted values of the NDVI. For practical application, this study investigated an arid and semi‐arid grassland with heavy grazing pressure in Hulunbuir, China. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can provide an accurate prediction of the grazing pressure (mean absolute error 0.103, root‐mean‐square error 0.122, mean absolute percentage error 8.36% and coefficient of determination 0.899 at the confidence interval of 95%). In addition, the predicted values of the grazing pressure in the study area during the years from 2016 to 2020 can be obtained using the proposed method. The proposed method can obtain a good prediction of the grazing pressure, which can be further used as a guidance for the rangeland managers to reduce the occurrence of the overgrazing.
SECRET SEARCH
Authors: John Andrew , King Ian
Published: October 2019

For high‐profile positions, should applicant identities be made public within the organization (“open search”) or kept confidential (“secret search”)? We construct a model where an organization seeks to hire, but where candidates' abilities are private information unless it uses open search. Rejected applicants, under open search, suffer disutility. We find the following: Salaries are lower under secret search, the expected ability of applicants decreases as the posted (open search) salary increases, secret search is preferred by organizations where quality of candidate is relatively unimportant, and organizations will, for some parameter values, choose secret search even when open search is more efficient.
The effect of advance payment with discount facility on supply decisions of deteriorating products whose demand is both price and stock dependent
Authors: Khan Md. Al‐Amin , Shaikh Ali Akbar , Panda Gobinda Chandra , Konstantaras Ioannis , Cárdenas‐Barrón Leopoldo Eduardo
Published: October 2019

Generally, in the business world, it is observed that suppliers give different kinds of benefits to retailers due to advance payment. One of the popular benefits is instant cash discount due to advance payment. If a retailer pays off his total purchase cost before receiving the products, then he receives a certain percentage of cash discount instantly. However, if the retailer pays off a certain fraction of the total purchasing cost, then price discount is given only at the time of receiving the products while paying the remaining amount of the total purchasing cost. Using this concept, this paper formulates, under both cases of advance payment (full or partial), an inventory model for deteriorating products where shortages are allowed and demand function is considered as price and stock dependent. The closed‐form solutions for each case are presented and two numerical examples are solved. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is also performed to show the effects of advance payment with discount facility.
The effects of overproduction on future firm performance and inventory write‐downs
Authors: Chan Yee Chuann , Wang Wei‐Kang , Lu Wen‐Min
Published: October 2019

This study aims to examine the effects of current overproduction on future operating efficiency and inventory write‐downs. Using electronic manufacturing companies listed on NYSE/AMEX/NASDAQ during the period of 2003–2013, this study: (i) employs the interaction term between relative fixed cost levels and excess quantity of inventory produced to measure overproduction, (ii) utilizes the dynamic slacks based measure model to estimate operating efficiency, and (iii) examines inventory write‐downs. Our findings show that overproducing firms experience improved but unsustainable subsequent operating efficiency, as overproduction is a result of optimistic sales forecasting, which leads to higher subsequent inventory write‐downs. Overall, this paper suggests that production managers should be prudent in anticipating future sales demand, as short product life cycle might cause higher inventory obsolescence on excess production.
Effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention to reduce social isolation and loneliness in community‐dwelling elders: A randomized clinical trial. Study protocol
Authors: Hernández‐Ascanio José , Pérula‐de Torres Luis Ángel , Roldán‐Villalobos Ana , Pérula‐de Torres José Carlos , Rich‐Ruiz Manuel ,   Collaborative Group Asys Proyect
Published: October 2019

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention in non‐institutionalized older people. This effectiveness will be assessed in terms of reducing social isolation and loneliness and improving Health‐Related Quality of Life.

Background

The concern for social isolation and loneliness in non‐institutionalized older adults has increased in recent decades. In addition, their relationship with numerous negative health outcomes is amply demonstrated.

Design

A mixed‐method design including a cluster randomized controlled clinical trial and an exploratory qualitative study with focus groups was used.

Method

Each study group consists of 57 subjects. The experimental group will be subjected to a multicomponent intervention comprising six domiciliary face‐to‐face sessions and five telephone calls that will be interspersed. Interventions will be conducted by healthcare professionals and volunteers. The control group will not be subjected to any systematized intervention. We are going to consider social isolation, loneliness, and Quality of Life as the primary outcomes. However, the factors that influence both primary outcomes and the feasibility of the intervention in clinical practice will also be assessed.

Discussion

Despite the negative influence of social isolation and loneliness on clinical outcomes is widely evidenced, few early detection programs are available, especially interventions at the community setting. This study will examine the effectiveness of the intervention in the Spanish community setting. At the same time, this study will identify the feasibility of this intervention in Primary Care clinical practice.

Impact

Substantial evidence indicates the detrimental health impact of social isolation and loneliness, particularly on mental wellness. Knowing that mental disorders are associated with high economic cost, this project would have strong clinical implication to inform nursing practice on managing social isolation and loneliness. The findings may also inform primary health policy setting in Spain and the wider European countries.
High‐power application is associated with shorter procedure time and higher rate of first‐pass pulmonary vein isolation in ablation index‐guided atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Okamatsu Hideharu , Koyama Junjiro , Sakai Yoshirou , Negishi Koudai , Hayashi Katsuhide , Tsurugi Takuo , Tanaka Yasuaki , Nakao Koichi , Sakamoto Tomohiro , Okumura Ken
Published: October 2019

Backgrounds

Ablation index (AI) is useful to complete circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the role of radiofrequency power in AI‐guided CPVI remains to be elucidated.

Methods

We investigated 60 patients with AF undergoing AI‐guided CPVI (mean age, 66 ± 9 years; nonparoxysmal AF in 16). The first 40 patients were randomly assigned to low‐power (LP; n = 20) and medium‐power (MP; n = 20) groups and the following 20 patients to high‐power (HP). In LP, radiofrequency (RF) application was done at 30 W at the anterior and 20 W at the posterior left atrial (LA) wall, while in MP, it was at 40 W at the anterior and 30 W at the posterior LA wall. In HP, 50 W was applied at the anterior, 40 W at posterior LA wall and 30 W on the esophagus. At each ablation point, target AI was 400 at the anterior, 360 at the posterior LA wall, and 260 on the esophagus.

Results

The time to complete both‐side CPVI was shortest in HP (median, 40 minutes, interquartile range [IQR], 28‐63) followed by MP (58 [49‐83] minutes, P = .008 vs HP) and LP (84 [72‐93] minutes, P = .002 vs MP). Higher RF power application significantly increased first‐pass isolation rate (55% in LP, 80% in MP and 85% in HP, P = .002) and decreased LA‐PV reconnection rate (10% in LP, 8% in MP, and 0% in HP, P = .03).

Conclusion

In AI‐guided PVI, the HP RF application can shorten the time to complete PVI with a high rate of first‐pass isolation and a low rate of LA‐PV reconnection.
Operating room ventilation—Validation of reported data on 108 067 primary total hip arthroplasties in the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register
Authors: Langvatn Håkon , Bartz‐Johannessen Christoffer , Schrama Johannes Cornelis , Hallan Geir , Furnes Ove , Lingaas Egil , Walenkamp Geert , Engesæter Lars Birger , Dale Håvard
Published: October 2019

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The true effect of laminar airflow (LAF) systems on postoperative infection is disputed, partly due to uncertainty regarding the validity of ventilation data in register studies. The aim of this study was to validate the information on operating room (OR) ventilation reported by the orthopaedic surgeons to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register (NAR) after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Method

Forty of the 62 public orthopaedic units performing primary THA in Norway during the period 1987‐2015 were included. The hospitals' current and previous ventilation systems were evaluated in cooperation with the hospitals head engineer. We identified the type of ventilation system reported to the NAR and compared the information with the factual ventilation in the specific ORs at the time of primary THA.

Results

A total of 108 067 primary THAs were eligible for assessment. None of the hospitals performed THA in true “greenhouse” (GH) ventilation. Fifty‐seven percent of the primary THAs were performed in ORs with LAF and 43% in ORs with conventional, turbulent ventilation (CV). Comparing the reported data with the validated data, LAF was reported with a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 89%, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 92%, with an accuracy of 88%. CV was reported with a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 87%, and PPV of 84%, with an accuracy of 88%. The total, mean misreporting rate was 12%.

Conclusions

Surgeons were not fully aware of what kind of ventilation system they operated in. This study indicates that conclusions based on ventilation data reported on THA in the NAR should not be interpreted without considering the inaccuracy of the data.
Skimmed milk powder and pectin decorated solid lipid nanoparticle containing soluble curcumin used for the treatment of colorectal cancer
Authors: Moideen Muthu M. J. , Karuppaiyan Kavitha , Kandhasamy Ruckmani , Seetharaman Shanmuganathan
Published: October 2019

This research is aimed at the preparation of biopolymeric skimmed milk powder (SMP) and pectin coated dual layer solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with soluble curcumin (CMN) to enhance the cytotoxicity of the drug delivered to the colon for colorectal cancer (CRC). The curcumin (C‐) and curcumin solid dispersion (C‐SD) (soluble curcumin) loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) (C‐SD‐SLN) are prepared by hot homogenization method and characterized its physicochemical properties. The surface of the C‐SD‐SLNs was coated with natural biopolymers of pectin and skimmed milk powder (SMP), called cetyl palmitate (CP)‐SD‐SLN. The resultant nanoparticles showed significantly high drug loading, better stability, and slower release profile (92.1%) in various GI conditions up to 72 H. zebra fish toxicity studies of CP‐SD‐SLN confirm its in vivo safety, and the result from in vitro cytotoxicity showed that 50% inhibition (26 μM/ml) is achieved with an amount of CP‐SD‐SLN, which was considerably lesser than free CMN. The result from flow cytometry analysis confirmed the cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase (49.11%), and western blot analysis was performed to understand its molecular level apoptosis in Caco‐2 cells. The profound efficiency of SMP and pectin coated CP‐SD‐SLN is a promising preparation that indicated its potential application for CRC treatment without toxicity.

Practical application

The pharma and biotech industry is seeking techniques to increase potential and reduce the toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. The solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) has fascinated significant attention in anticancer drug delivery generally because of the targeted delivery to the particular site and devoid of other tissues. The present investigation provides the efficiency of skimmed milk powder (SMP)‐coated lipid shell contains soluble curcumin to release the drug at colon and improve the metabolism and therefore increase the potential activity several fold than native curcumin. The results show that SMP and pectin coated SLN is a potential carrier for delivery to the colon and thus improve anticancer potential of human adenocarcinoma (Caco‐2) cells of curcumin. These results will contribute in designing SLN techniques for optimizing the wide‐ranging quality of natural curcumin.
Effects of temperature and time on gelatinization of corn starch employing gradient isothermal heating program of rapid visco analyzer
Authors: Jin Nan , Kong Dandan , Wang Hongying
Published: October 2019

Two process parameters, temperature and time, are mutually interdependent in application of food and feed industries. In order to illustrate the influence of temperature and time on corn starch gelatinization, apparent viscosities of native corn starch samples were measured during different heating treatments by rapid visco analyzer (RVA). The gradient isothermal heating program was developed within 64–95°C. The viscosity gradient and viscosity difference (Δμ value) before and after isothermal heating were used to determine the critical temperatures. The temperature and time dependence of starch gelatinization were observed, which meant certain temperature and sufficient time were necessary for complete starch gelatinization. Four critical temperatures, at 68, 74, 78, and 88°C, respectively, were obtained from the derivative curve of Δμ value as the boundaries of different gelatinization stages associating with temperature and time dependence. This study should help starch‐based food and feed industries to better determine the processing parameters for saving energy consumption and cost.

Practical Applications

Gelatinization, as a functional property during thermal processing of starch, is applied extensively in starch‐based food industry and feed industry. Heat‐moisture treatment is one of the most conventional processing procedures for starchy raw materials. Furthermore, temperature and time, two controllable parameters influencing quality of products, should be carefully concerned. Since the temperature and time dependence of gelatinization during processing has not been specified sufficiently, the present study developed a gradient isothermal heating program through custom configuration files of rapid visco analyzer (RVA) for illustrating the effects of temperature and time on gelatinization of corn starch unlike previous RVA analysis. Critical temperatures and the sensitivity of holding time were obtained from viscosity characteristics. The results would be useful to control products quality in food and feed industry.
Study of fatty acid profiles in fish wastes and in silico evaluation of unsaturated fatty acids for mutant B‐Raf kinase inhibition
Authors: Nirmala Chockalingam , Banerjee Sambhasan , Imthiyaz Mohammed , Sridevi Muruhan
Published: October 2019

Fish wastes include heads, intestines, fins, tails, and bones that are discarded in large quantity from fish processing industries. Substantial quantity of lipids and proteins can be extracted from these fish wastes to meet the dietary needs and to treat various ailments in humans. In the present study, the fish wastes of catla, rohu, and mixed fish wastes from Indian major carps are collected and analyzed for the fatty acid profile and protein content. The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) obtained are analyzed for mutant B‐Raf kinase, a protooncoprotein inhibition using PATCHDOCK, and the best docked result is analyzed with PDBsum. The results showed that the concentration of saturated fatty acid was higher than that of MUFAs and PUFAs. The protein content was 0.58 mg/ml in Sample 1, 0.55 mg/ml in Sample 2, and 2.88 mg/ml in Sample 3. The docking study showed that MUFAs and PUFAs bound in the active site of the B‐Raf kinase domain with varied nonbonded interactions that may inhibit its activity, thus showing anticancerous properties.

Practical applications

Fishes are one of the major sources of balanced and nutritious diet for human beings. Huge tons of Indian major carps (IMCs) are discarded as wastes from fish processing industries and commercial markets that are rich in nutritive compounds like proteins, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and so forth. These wastes can be recycled and reused for many pharmacological properties. Unsaturated fatty acids were found to have beneficial properties for humans. The selected MUFAs and PUFAs from fish wastes of IMCs showed inhibition of mutant B‐Raf kinase, a protein, associated with the activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway leading to cancer. Thus, these compounds may be used as cancer preventive agents and the study may lead to a novel approach to design drug molecules with nonbonded interactions in the protein–lipid interface.
A life‐cycle assessment model for zero emission neighborhoods
Authors: Lausselet Carine , Ellingsen Linda Ager‐Wick , Strømman Anders Hammer , Brattebø Helge
Published: October 2019

Buildings represent a critical piece of a low‐carbon future, and their long lifetime necessitates urgent adoption of state‐of‐the‐art performance standards to avoid significant lock‐in risk regarding long‐lasting technology solution choices. Buildings, mobility, and energy systems are closely linked, and assessing their nexus by aiming for Zero Emission Neighborhoods (ZENs) provides a unique chance to contribute to climate change mitigation. We conducted a life‐cycle assessment of a Norwegian ZEN and designed four scenarios to test the influence of the house size, household size, and energy used and produced in the buildings as well as mobility patterns. We ran our scenarios with different levels of decarbonization of the electricity mix over a period of 60 years. Our results show the importance of the operational phases of both the buildings and mobility in the neighborhood's construction, and its decline over time induced by the decarbonization of the electricity mix. At the neighborhood end‐of‐life, embodied emissions then become responsible for the majority of the emissions when the electricity mix is decarbonized. The choice of functional unit is decisive, and we thus argue for the use of a primary functional unit “per neighborhood,” and a second “per person.” The use of a “per m2” functional unit is misleading as it does not give credits to the precautionary use of floor area. To best mitigate climate change, climate‐positive behaviors should be combined with energy efficiency standards that incorporate embodied energy, and absolute threshold should be combined with behavioral changes.
How sensory sensitivity to graininess could be measured?
Authors: Puleo Sharon , Miele Nicoletta A. , Cavella Silvana , Masi Paolo , Di Monaco Rossella
Published: October 2019

Considering the lack of the literature and the need for developing a valid method to measure the texture sensitivity, in this study, we investigated the individual sensitivity to discriminate among different levels of graininess. With this purpose, five samples of cocoa‐based creams were prepared, by changing the refining time. Samples were first characterized in terms of particles size distribution, by means of laser diffraction. Then, 59 subjects evaluated the cream sample graininess intensity, by using gLM scales, and their liking, by using LAM scales. The graininess scores of each subject were fitted with a power model, already observed with the instrumental results, estimating both the power law exponent and the R2 coefficient, and using them as clustering parameters. Subjects were then clustered into three groups: high sensitivity; moderate sensitivity; low sensitivity. First, as it was hypothesized, results showed a significant difference between the three groups in terms of perceived graininess. Second, even though results showed a significant difference between the three groups in terms of perceived graininess, only little differences were found in terms of liking scores. Indeed, all the samples were equally liked for both the moderate and low sensitivity groups, whereas a significant trend was observed for the highly sensitive subjects who liked more the most refined samples. No significant relationships were found with age, and only a little trend was observed with gender: females seemed to be more sensitive than males. Texture attributes discrimination ability, as for example sensitivity to graininess, could affect food rejection or preferences and choice, but it is poorly investigated. This exploratory study, proposes a method to cluster consumers, based on their sensitivity. A statistical methodology has been developed to discriminate among consumer sensitivity levels. The results provide useful information about graininess sensitivity suggesting that the used methodologies could be applied to other texture properties resulting in a valid tool for the industry in the development and optimization of tailored new products.
Consistent spatial patterns across several plant communities within a region indicate that the same processes may be acting on Andean deserts and semideserts
Authors: López Ramiro Pablo , Zenteno‐Ruiz Freddy , Roque‐Marca Natalio , Moya Laura , Villalba David , Valdivia Sergio , Larrea‐Alcázar Daniel
Published: October 2019

Questions

Spatial pattern analysis may be used to derive hypotheses on the processes that shape plant communities. Do different mature semidesert communities exhibit the same major spatial patterns, suggesting that similar processes shape them?

Location

Nine localities in the Bolivian Andes.

Methods

We mapped all woody individuals at each locality. We performed uni‐, bi‐, and multivariate spatial analyses of nine Andean, mature semiarid plant communities to test for similarity in spatial patterns.

Results

We found that the nine communities exhibited, in most of the main spatial pattern attributes, close similarities (community aggregation, importance of plant interactions, life form differences, etc.). Some peculiarities were likely due to differences in life form or site history.

Conclusions

At least for Andean semiarid communities, the complete analysis of a representative plot conveys reliable information on spatial relationships and, hence, on potential underlying mechanisms. This shows that the use of 1–2 representative plots can be used to extrapolate to similar communities within a given region. Our results can be used as a plausible hypothesis to be tested in other zones of the planet.
Morphological characterisation of glial and neuronal tau pathology in globular glial tauopathy (Types II and III)
Authors: Tanaka H. , Toyoshima Y. , Kawakatsu S. , Kobayashi R. , Yokota O. , Terada S. , Kuroda S. , Miura T. , Higuchi Y. , Otsu H. , Sanpei K. , Otani K. , Ikeuchi T. , Onodera O. , Kakita A. , Takahashi H.
Published: October 2019

Aims

Globular glial tauopathy (GGT) is a new category within the 4‐repeat tauopathies that is characterised neuropathologically by tau‐positive globular glial inclusions (GGIs), namely, globular oligodendrocytic and astrocytic inclusions (GOIs and GAIs). Occurrence of tau‐positive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) is also a feature. GGT is classified into three pathological subtypes (Types I, II and III). We studied the tau pathology in 6 cases of GGT (Type II, n = 3; Type III, n = 3), with special reference to GAIs and NCIs.

Methods

Neuropathological examinations were conducted, along with immunohistochemistry, morphometry and three‐dimensional imaging, and biochemical and genetic analysis of tau.

Results

The cortical GAIs in Type II and those in Type III were distinguishable from each other. In the motor cortex, GAIs were much more numerous in Type III than in Type II. Prominent occurrence of perikaryal globular structures was a feature of GAIs in Type III. By contrast, prominent occurrence of radiating process‐like structures was a feature of GAIs in Type II. Overall, the GAIs were significantly smaller in Type III than in Type II. NCIs were divisible into three subgroups in terms of shape: diffuse granular, thick cord‐like, and round/horseshoe‐shaped structures. In all cases, NCIs were a feature of the upper and lower motor neurons. Interestingly, the round/horseshoe‐shaped NCIs were observed only in Type III cases.

Conclusions

These findings, which characterised GAIs and NCIs, indicated that Type II and Type III constitute two distinct pathological subtypes, and also further strengthen the concept of GGT as a distinct entity.
Glycosylated flavonoids: fruit's concealed antifungal arsenal
Authors: Sudheeran Pradeep Kumar , Ovadia Rinat , Galsarker Ortal , Maoz Itay , Sela Noa , Maurer Dalia , Feygenberg Oleg , Oren Shamir Michal , Alkan Noam
Published: October 2019

Fruit defense against pathogens relies on induced and preformed mechanisms. The present contribution evaluated performed resistance of red and green mango fruit against the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and identified the main active antifungal components.

High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of nonhydrolyzed mango peel extracts identified major anthocyanin peaks of glycosylated cyanidin and methylcyanidin, and flavonol peaks of glycosylated quercetin and kaempferol, which were more abundant on the 'red side' of red mango fruit. Organic extracts of red vs green mango peel were more efficient in inhibiting C. gloeosporioides.

Transcriptome analysis of the mango–C. gloeosporioides interaction showed increased expression of glucosidase genes related to both fungal pathogenicity and host defense. Glucosidase treatment of organic peel extract increased its antifungal activity. Additionally, quercetin and cyanidin had significantly higher antifungal activity than their glycosylated derivatives. Peel extract volatiles treated with glucosidase had antifungal activity. GCMS analysis identified 15 volatiles after glucosidase hydrolysis, seven of them present only in red fruit.

These results suggest that the fruit obtains a concealed arsenal of glycosylated flavonoids in its peel when they are hydrolyzed by β‐glucosidase that is induced in both fungus and host during infection process, become more toxic to the fungal pathogen, inhibiting decay development.
On Referring: Donnellan versus Strawson
Authors: Capuano Antonio
Published: October 2019

In ‘Reference and Definite Descriptions', Keith Donnellan claimed that Bertrand Russell and Peter Strawson ignored referential uses of definite descriptions. The intense debate that followed Donnellan's paper focused on the contrast between Donnellan and Russell, leaving Strawson aside. In this paper, I focus on the contrast between Donnellan and Strawson. By focusing on this contrast, my aim is, first, to clarify the nature of Donnellan's distinction between referential and attributive uses of definite descriptions and, second, to argue that a proper understanding of referential uses holds the key to a proper understanding of direct reference. Contrary to the standard view, the crucial issue is not the nature of the proposition expressed (singular versus general) but how a speaker comes to talk about an object.