bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced lactic acid bacteria viability with yeast coincubation under acidic conditions
Authors: Hirai Satomi , Kawasumi Toshiyuki
Published: April 2020

The enhancing effects of yeasts on the viability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) under acidic conditions were investigated. Meyerozyma guilliermondii, coaggregative with both LAB strains under acidic conditions, significantly enhanced the viability of Lactobacillus pentosus and L. paracasei in pH 3.0 lactic acid (LA) buffer at 10°C (p < 0.05). Non-coaggregative yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and Cyberlindnera saturnus) also significantly enhanced the LAB viability (p < 0.05), and physical contact between LAB and yeasts was not essential for the viability-enhancing effect, indicating that the coaggregation had no relation to the enhancing mechanism. Although yeast metabolites and LA assimilation had no enhancing effect, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decreased after yeast coincubation, and H2O2 elimination improved L. pentosus viability. H2O2 elimination alone did not sufficiently improve L. paracasei viability, but the addition of antioxidants was effective. These results suggest that the antioxidant activity of yeast increased the LAB viability under acidic conditions.
Amazake made from sake cake and rice koji suppresses sebum content in differentiated hamster sebocytes and improves skin properties in humans
Authors: Maruki-Uchida Hiroko , Sai Masahiko , Yano Shoichiro , Morita Minoru , Maeda Kazuhisa
Published: April 2020

Amazake is a traditional Japanese health drink. Here, we examined the effects of amazake on skin in cells and humans. Treatment with sake cake or rice koji suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation in differentiated hamster sebocytes, likely through the reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) mRNA. In double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, seventeen Japanese women ingested either amazake or placebo for 4 weeks. Ingestion of the amazake decreased the sebum content compared to the placebo. The questionnaires showed improvements in “face color,” “dark circles under the eyes,” “glossy hair,” and “waking up well”, only in the amazake. In accordance with the questionnaires, additional analysis revealed the change in the L* values under the eyes was statistically increased in the amazake compared to the placebo. These results indicate that amazake may decrease sebum content in cells and humans and increase the L* values under the eyes, with some additional beneficial effects in humans.
Computational model for detector timing effects in Compton-camera based prompt-gamma imaging for proton radiotherapy
Authors: Maggi Paul , Peterson Steve , Panthi Rajesh , Mackin Dennis , Yang Hao , He Zhong , Beddar Sam , Polf Jerimy
Published: April 2020

This paper describes a realistic simulation of a Compton-camera (CC) based prompt-gamma (PG) imaging system for proton range verification for a range of clinical dose rates, and its comparison to PG measured data with a pre-clinical CC. We used a Monte Carlo plus Detector Effects (MCDE) model to simulate the production of prompt gamma-rays (PG) and their energy depositions in the CC. With Monte Carlo, we simulated PG emission resulting from irradiation of a high density polyethylene phantom with a 150 MeV proton pencil beam at dose rates of 5.0 × 108, 2.6 × 109, and 4.6 × 109 p+ s−1. Realistic detector timing effects (e.g. delayed triggering time, event-coincidence, dead time, etc,) were added in post-processing to allow for flexible count rate variations. We acquired PG emission measurements with our pre-clinical CC during irradiation with a clinical 150 MeV proton pencil beam at the same dose rates. For simulations and measurements, three primary changes could be seen in the PG emission data as the dose rate increased: (1) reduction in the total number of detected events due to increased dead-time percentage; (2) increase in false-coincidence events (i.e. multiple PGs interacting, rather than a single PG scatter); and (3) loss of distinct PG emission peaks in the energy spectrum. We used the MCDE model to estimate the quality of our measured PG data, primarily with regards to true and false double-scatters and triple-scatters recorded by the CC. The simulation results showed that of the recorded double-scatter PG interactions 22%, 57%, and 70% were false double-scatters and for triple-scatter interactions 3%, 21%, and 35% were false events at 5.0 × 108, 2.6 × 109, and 4.6 × 109 p+ s−1, respectively. These false scatter events represent noise in the data, and the high percentage of these events in the data represents a major limitation in our ability to produce usable PG images with our prototype CC.
Groups with few 𝑝’-character degrees in the principal block
Authors: Giannelli Eugenio , Rizo Noelia , Sambale Benjamin , Schaeffer Fry A.
Published: April 2020

Let

p
≥
5

p\ge 5

be a prime and let

G
G

be a finite group. We prove that

G
G

is

p
p

-solvable of

p
p

-length at most

2
2

if there are at most two distinct

p
′

p’

-character degrees in the principal

p
p

-block of

G
G

. This generalizes a theorem of Isaacs–Smith as well as a recent result of three of the present authors.
Scoring of Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Immunohistochemistry on Cytology Cell Block Specimens in Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Hernandez Andrea , Brandler Tamar C , Chen Fei , Zhou Fang , Xia Yuhe , Zhong Judy , Moreira Andre L , Simms Anthony , Sun Wei , Wei Xiao Jun , Simsir Aylin
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Recent investigations have shown strong correlations between cytology and surgical non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) specimens in programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluations. Our study aims to evaluate the reproducibility of PD-L1 IHC scoring in NSCLC cytology cell blocks (CBs) and to assess the impact of CB cellularity, method of sample collection, and observer subspecialty on scoring agreement.

Methods

PD-L1 IHC was performed on 54 NSCLC cytology CBs and was scored independently by seven cytopathologists (three of seven with expertise in pulmonary pathology). Three-tier scoring of negative (<1%), low positive (1%-49%), and high positive (≥50%) and interrater agreement were assessed.

Results

Total and majority agreement among cytopathologists was achieved in 48% and 98% of cases, respectively, with κ = 0.608 (substantial agreement; 95% confidence interval, 0.50-0.72). Cytopathologists with pulmonary pathology expertise agreed in 67% of cases (κ = 0.633, substantial agreement), whereas the remaining cytopathologists agreed in 56% of cases (κ = 0.62, substantial agreement). CB cellularity (P = .36) and sample collection type (P = .59) had no statistically significant difference between raters.

Conclusions

There is substantial agreement in PD-L1 IHC scoring in cytology CB specimens among cytopathologists. Additional expertise in pulmonary pathology, sample collection type, and CB cellularity have no statistically significant impact on interobserver agreement.
A Snapshot of Doctoral Training in Epidemiology: Positioning Us for the Future
Authors: Hlaing WayWay M , Schmidt Renae D , Ahn Soyeon , Samet Jonathan M , Brownson Ross C
Published: April 2020

Although epidemiology core competencies are established by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health for masters-level trainees, no equivalent currently exists for the doctoral level. Thus, the objective of the Doctoral Education in Epidemiology Survey (2019) was to collect information on doctoral-level competencies in general epidemiology (doctoral) degree programs and other pertinent information from accredited programs in the United States and Canada. Participants (doctoral program directors or knowledgeable representatives of the program) from 57 institutions were invited to respond to a 39-item survey (18 core competencies; 9 noncore or emerging topic–related competencies; and 12 program-related items). Participants from 55 institutions (96.5%) responded to the survey, of whom over 85% rated 11 out of 18 core competencies as “very important” or “extremely important.” More than 80% of the programs currently emphasize 2 of 9 noncore competencies (i.e., competency to ( 1) develop and write grant proposals, and ( 2) assess evidence for causality on the basis of different causal inference concepts). “Big data” is the most frequently cited topic currently lacking in doctoral curricula. Information gleaned from previous efforts and this survey should prompt a dialog among relevant stakeholders to establish a cohesive set of core competencies for doctoral training in epidemiology.
A compounding compliance team at an academic medical center
Authors: Chaffee Bruce W , Tharp Jamie C , Clark John S , Kent Stanley
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Highly publicized safety issues arising from poor sterile compounding practices in facilities around the United States have garnered substantial attention in recent years. This attention has led to increased scrutiny of health systems by regulatory bodies, new regulatory requirements, and changes to existing regulations or their interpretation. Health systems are often resource constrained, and the added work resulting from this scrutiny challenges pharmacy departments in meeting regulatory requirements and United States Pharmacopeia chapter 797 standards for sterile compounding. This article describes the creation of a dedicated compounding compliance team (CCT) and the team’s responsibilities in support of pharmacy operations in achieving compliance with those standards.

Visits to our organization by several regulatory bodies resulted in findings that required substantial work in order to achieve compliance with sterile compounding standards. Given the number and complexity of findings and the need for timely resolution, it was felt that specialized staff were needed to understand, evaluate, and correct identified deficiencies and help the already overburdened staff and leadership comply with existing standards. A CCT was formed, and work was simultaneously initiated on ensuring proper credentialing and training of all compounding staff, development of standard operating procedures, improvements in facilities, environmental monitoring, equipment certifications, practice auditing, and documentation. Key activities of the team included strategic planning, building relationships, communicating with stakeholders, self-education, and record keeping. Key partners included environmental services, facilities, and infection prevention and control personnel and departmental staff and leaders.

Conclusion

The formation and collaborative work of a CCT at an academic medical center was successful in changing the culture of the organization and achieving compliance during visits from several regulatory agencies.
Isolation gowns as a potential work hazard
Authors: Schirmer Abigail , Sessions Renard , Gravenstein Nikolaus , Rand Kenneth , Oli Monika , Cooper Lou Ann , Sappenfield Joshua W
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Isolation gowns are used as a barrier to bacterial transmission from patient to provider and vice versa. If an isolation gown is ineffective, the patient and provider have a potential breach of safety and increased infection risk. This study compared the bacterial permeability of differently rated, commonly uses isolation gowns to assess their effectiveness in preventing simulated bacterial transmittance, and thus contamination, from patient to provider.

Methods

Serial dilutions of Staphylococcus epidermidis in sterile saline were applied to a simulated skin surface. Unrated and Levels 1 through 4 non-sterile isolation gowns contacted the solution, simulating patient contact. Both sides of the contaminated gowns were then cultured on blood agar by rolling a sterile swab across the gown and evenly inoculating the culture plate. Colony counts from inside and outside of the gowns were compared. Separately, S. epidermidis was placed on a sample of each gown and scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize the contaminated gowns’ physical structure.

Results

Mean bacterial transmittance from outside of the gown (i.e. patient contact side) to inside of the gowns (i.e. provider clothing or skin side) based on gown rating was as follows: unrated: 50.4% (SD 9.0%); Level 1: 39.7% (SD 11.2%); Level 2: 16.3% (SD 10.3%); Level 3: 0.3% (SD 0.8%); Level 4: 0.0% (SD 0.0%). Scanning electron microscope imaging of unrated, Level 1, and Level 2 gowns revealed gown pore sizes much larger than the bacteria. The Welch one-way analysis of variance statistic showed significant difference dependent on gown-level rating.

Conclusions

Unrated, Level 1, and Level 2 isolation gowns do not provide effective bacterial isolation barriers when bacteria like S. epidermidis make contact with one side of the gown material. Not studied, but implied, is that unrated and lower rated isolation gowns would be as or even more physically permeable to virus particles, which are much smaller than bacteria.
How plant allometry influences bud phenology and fruit yield in two Vaccinium species
Authors: Fournier Marie-Pier , Paré Maxime C , Buttò Valentina , Delagrange Sylvain , Lafond Jean , Deslauriers Annie
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Understanding how plant allometry, plant architecture and phenology contribute to fruit production can identify those plant traits that maximize fruit yield. In this study, we compared these variables and fruit yield for two shrub species, Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium myrtilloides, to test the hypothesis that phenology is linked to the plants’ allometric traits, which are predictors of fruit production.

Methods

We measured leaf and flower phenology and the above-ground biomass of both Vaccinium species in a commercial wild lowbush blueberry field (Quebec, Canada) over a 2-year crop cycle; 1 year of pruning followed by 1 year of harvest. Leaf and flower phenology were measured, and the allometric traits of shoots and buds were monitored over the crop cycle. We hand-collected the fruits of each plant to determine fruit attributes and biomass.

Key Results

During the harvesting year, the leafing and flowering of V. angustifolium occurred earlier than that of V. myrtilloides. This difference was related to the allometric characteristics of the buds due to differences in carbon partitioning by the plants during the pruning year. Through structural equation modelling, we identified that the earlier leafing in V. angustifolium was related to a lower leaf bud number, while earlier flowering was linked to a lower number of flowers per bud. Despite differences in reproductive allometric traits, vegetative biomass still determined reproductive biomass in a log–log scale model.

Conclusions

Growing buds are competing sinks for non-structural carbohydrates. Their differences in both number and characteristics (e.g. number of flowers per bud) influence levels of fruit production and explain some of the phenological differences observed between the two Vaccinium species. For similar above-ground biomass, both Vaccinium species had similar reproductive outputs in terms of fruit biomass, despite differences in reproductive traits such as fruit size and number.
Targeted histone demethylation improves somatic cell reprogramming into cloned blastocysts but not postimplantation bovine concepti†
Authors: Meng Fanli , Stamms Kathrin , Bennewitz Romina , Green Andria , Oback Fleur , Turner Pavla , Wei Jingwei , Oback Björn
Published: April 2020

Correct reprogramming of epigenetic marks in the donor nucleus is a prerequisite for successful cloning by somatic cell transfer (SCT). In several mammalian species, repressive histone (H) lysine (K) trimethylation (me3) marks, in particular H3K9me3, form a major barrier to somatic cell reprogramming into pluripotency and totipotency. We engineered bovine embryonic fibroblasts (BEFs) for the doxycycline-inducible expression of a biologically active, truncated form of murine Kdm4b, a demethylase that removes H3K9me3 and H3K36me3 marks. Upon inducing Kdm4b, H3K9me3 and H3K36me3 levels were reduced about 3-fold and 5-fold, respectively, compared with noninduced controls. Donor cell quiescence has been previously associated with reduced somatic trimethylation levels and increased cloning efficiency in cattle. Simultaneously inducing Kdm4b expression (via doxycycline) and quiescence (via serum starvation) further reduced global H3K9me3 and H3K36me3 levels by a total of 18-fold and 35-fold, respectively, compared with noninduced, nonstarved control fibroblasts. Following SCT, Kdm4b-BEFs reprogrammed significantly better into cloned blastocysts than noninduced donor cells. However, detrimethylated donors and sustained Kdm4b-induction during embryo culture did not increase the rates of postblastocyst development from implantation to survival into adulthood. In summary, overexpressing Kdm4b in donor cells only improved their reprogramming into early preimplantation stages, highlighting the need for alternative experimental approaches to reliably improve somatic cloning efficiency in cattle.
Distinct follicular and luteal transcriptional profiles in engineered human ectocervical tissue dependent on menstrual cycle phase
Authors: McKinnon Kelly E , Getsios Spiro , Woodruff Teresa K
Published: April 2020

To investigate genomic pathways that may influence physiology and infectivity during the menstrual cycle, RNA sequence analysis was performed on patient-matched engineered ectocervical tissue after follicular and luteal phase (LP) hormone treatments. We developed distinct cellular, molecular, and biological profiles in ectocervical epithelium dependent on the menstrual cycle phase. Follicular phase hormones were associated with proliferation, transcription, and cell adhesion, while LP samples expressed genes involved in immune cell recruitment, inflammation, and protein modifications. Additionally, our analysis revealed mucins not previously reported in ectocervical tissue, which could play an important role in fertility and disease prevention. This study provides insight into the phenomenon of increased LP vulnerability to infection and identifies potential targets for future research.
NRF2 as a regulator of cell metabolism and inflammation in cancer
Authors: He Feng , Antonucci Laura , Karin Michael
Published: April 2020

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master transcriptional regulator of genes whose products defend our cells for toxic and oxidative insults. Although NRF2 activation may reduce cancer risk by suppressing oxidative stress and tumor-promoting inflammation, many cancers exhibit elevated NRF2 activity either due to mutations that disrupt the negative control of NRF2 activity or other factors. Importantly, NRF2 activation is associated with poor prognosis and NRF2 has turned out to be a key activator of cancer-supportive anabolic metabolism. In this review, we summarize the diverse roles played by NRF2 in cancer focusing on metabolic reprogramming and tumor-promoting inflammation.
The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis in COVID-19 pneumonia: report of two cases
Authors: Ravioli Svenja , Niebuhr Norbert , Ruchti Chantal , Pluess Emanuel , Stoeckli Thomas , Lindner Gregor
Published: April 2020

The emergence of the novel coronavirus or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 leads to a high number of cases of severe pneumonia. So far, little is known about the course of the disease and its symptoms, complications and treatment. We report the first two cases of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis complicating COVID-19 pneumonia.
About Physiocracy: A Review Article Incorporating Some Remarks on An Important Letter of Galiani and on The Dissemination and Readership of Quesnay’s Works*
Authors: Sabbagh Gabriel
Published: April 2020

This paper is a review of a substantial collection of essays dealing with Physiocracy and its opponents. Its review led to the first correct reading of an important letter of Galiani and to some new clarifications on the readership of the works of François Quesnay.

JEL Classification: B11; B31.
Monitoring Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pregnancy Using Gastrointestinal Ultrasonography
Authors: Flanagan Emma , Wright Emily K , Begun Jakob , Bryant Robert V , An Yoon-Kyo , Ross Alyson L , Kiburg Katerina V , Bell Sally J
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] affects women during their childbearing years. Gastrointestinal ultrasonography [GIUS] accurately identifies disease activity in non-pregnant patients with IBD. The utility of GIUS in pregnancy has not been established. We aimed to determine the feasibility and accuracy of GIUS in the assessment of IBD during pregnancy progression.

Methods

A multicentre observational study of women with IBD undergoing GIUS during pregnancy. Clinicians assessed the adequacy of bowel views and disease activity in four colonic segments and the terminal ileum. Location[s] in which views were impeded by the uterus were documented. GIUS disease activity [bowel wall thickness >3 mm] was compared with biochemical disease activity [faecal calprotectin >100 μg/g].

Results

Ninety patients and 127 GIUS examinations were included [median gestation 19 weeks, range 4–33]. Adequate colonic views were obtained in 116/127 [91%] scans. Adequate ileal views were obtained in 62/67 [93%] scans <20 weeks and 30/51 [59%] scans at 20–26 weeks. There was a positive correlation between bowel wall thickness and calprotectin [r = 0.26, p = 0.03]. GIUS delivered a specificity of 83%, sensitivity of 74%, and negative predictive value of 90% compared with calprotectin.

Conclusions

GIUS is a feasible and accurate modality for monitoring IBD in pregnancy. Adequate GIUS views of the colon and terminal ileum can be obtained in the majority of patients up to 20 weeks of gestation. Beyond 20 weeks, GIUS provides good views of the colon but the terminal ileum becomes difficult to assess.
Novel synthetic lipopeptides derived from Mycoplasma hyorhinis upregulate calpastatin in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and induce a neuroprotective effect against amyloid-β-peptide toxicity
Authors: Kornspan Jonathan D , Kosower Nechama S , Vaisid Tali , Katzhandler Joshua , Rottem Shlomo
Published: April 2020

Previously, we showed that contamination of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by Mycoplasma hyorhinis strains NDMh and MCLD leads to increased levels of calpastatin (the endogenous, specific inhibitor of the Ca2+-dependent protease calpain), resulting in inhibition of calpain activation. We have found that the increased calpastatin level is promoted by the lipoprotein fraction (MhLpp) of the mycoplasmal membrane. Here, we present MhLpp-based novel synthetic lipopeptides that induce upregulation of calpastatin in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, leading to protection of the treated cells against Ca2+/amyloid-β-peptide toxicity. These lipopeptides present a new class of promising agents against calpain-induced cell toxicity.
Trade Plants the Flag: Sanctions-busting and the Signing of New Preferential Trade Agreements
Authors: Su Yi-hao
Published: April 2020

Why does the imposition of trade sanctions sometimes lead to the signing of new preferential trade agreements (PTAs) between target countries and their trade partners? I argue that the occurrence of trade-based sanctions-busting behavior increases the likelihood of signing new PTAs despite the pressure from senders of sanctions. The notion that “trade plants the flag” explains how firms that bust sanctions lobby their home governments for signing PTAs to secure their first-mover advantage in a sanctioned market. By using rare event models and weighting methods, this empirical analysis of data from 1950 to 2006 reveals that firms’ rent-seeking behavior is the driving force of seeking PTAs especially during multilateral trade sanctions. Thus, this finding can illuminate sanctions agenda as firm-level transactions may serve as a determinant of state-led institutionalized cooperation after the execution of sanctions.
Source-independent efficient wavefield inversion
Authors: Song Chao , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: April 2020

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is an effective tool to retrieve a high-resolution subsurface velocity model. The source wavelet accuracy plays an important role in reaching that goal. So we often need to estimate the source function before or within the inversion process. Source estimation requires additional computational cost, and an inaccurate source estimation can hamper the convergence of FWI. We develop a source-independent waveform inversion utilizing a recently introduced wavefield reconstruction based method, which we refer to as efficient wavefield inversion (EWI). In EWI, we essentially reconstruct the wavefield by fitting it to the observed data as well as a wave equation based on iterative Born scattering. However, a wrong source wavelet will induce errors in the reconstructed wavefield, which may lead to a divergence of this optimization problem. We use a convolution-based source-independent misfit function to replace the conventional data fitting term in EWI to formulate a source-independent EWI (SIEWI) objective function. By convolving the observed data with a reference trace from the predicted data and convolving the predicted data with a reference trace from the observed data, the influence of the source wavelet on the optimization is mitigated. In SIEWI, this new formulation is able to mitigate the cycle-skipping issue and the source wavelet uncertainty simultaneously. We demonstrate those features on the Overthrust model and a modified Marmousi model. Application on a 2-D real data set also shows the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Deportment, emotion and moderation at the Glasgow Assembly, 1638
Authors: Langley Chris R
Published: April 2020

This article explores emotion and behaviour at the Glasgow Assembly in 1638. Whereas the assembly is usually viewed as a masterclass of gerrymandering and control, this article investigates the ways in which participants at the assembly understood the importance of how they behaved, as well as what they said. While both Covenanters and supporters of the Crown were eager to emphasize the ways they moderated their behaviour, they also perpetrated intense bouts of emotional drama. The unrestrained nature of these outbursts underlines the complex relationship between utterance, behaviour and emotion in early modern Calvinism, and in Covenanted Scotland in particular.
Parental occupational exposure pre- and post-conception and development of asthma in offspring
Authors: Pape Kathrine , Svanes Cecile , Sejbæk Camilla S , Malinovschi Andrei , Benediktsdottir Byndis , Forsberg Bertil , Janson Christer , Benke Geza , Tjalvin Gro , Sánchez-Ramos José Luis , Zock Jan-Paul , Toren Kjell , Bråbäck Lennart , Holm Mathias , Jõgi Rain , Bertelsen Randi J , Gíslason Thorarin , Sigsgaard Torben , Liu Xiaoqin , Hougaard Karin S , Johannessen Ane , Lodge Caroline , Dharmage Shyamali C , Schlünssen Vivi
Published: April 2020

Background

While direct effects of occupational exposures on an individual’s respiratory health are evident, a new paradigm is emerging on the possible effects of pre-conception occupational exposure on respiratory health in offspring. We aimed to study the association between parental occupational exposure starting before conception and asthma in their offspring (at 0–15 years of age).

Methods

We studied 3985 offspring participating in the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia (RHINESSA) generation study. Their mothers or fathers (n = 2931) previously participated in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Information was obtained from questionnaires on parental job history pre- and post-conception which was linked to an asthma-specific job-exposure matrix (JEM). We assessed the association between parental occupational exposure and offspring asthma, applying logistic regression models, clustered by family and adjusted for study centre, offspring sex, parental characteristics (age, asthma onset, place of upbringing, smoking) and grandparents’ level of education.

Results

Parental occupational exposure to microorganisms, pesticides, allergens or reactive chemicals pre-conception or both pre- and post-conception was not related to offspring asthma; in general, subgroup analyses confirmed this result. However, maternal exposure both pre- and post-conception to allergens and reactive chemicals was associated with increased odds for early-onset asthma in offspring (0–3 years of age); odds ratio 1.70 (95% CI: 1.02–2.84) and 1.65 (95% CI: 0.98–2.77), respectively.

Conclusions

This study did not find evidence that parental occupational exposure, defined by an asthma JEM before conception only or during pre- and post-conception vs non-exposed, was associated with offspring asthma.
Prevalence of and characteristics associated with operative vaginal birth at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital
Authors: Harrison Margo S , Teshome Biruk , Liyew Tewodros , Kirub Ephrem , Jimenez-Zambrano Andrea , Muldrow Margaret , Yarinbab Teklemariam
Published: April 2020

Background

To observe prevalence, characteristics and outcomes associated with operative vaginal birth (OVB).

Methods

We compared spontaneous vaginal birth with OVB.

Results

Of 993 women, 759 (76.4%) experienced vaginal birth; 716 were spontaneous (94.3%), 14 (1.8%) underwent forceps-assisted birth and 29 (3.8%) had vacuum assistance. In a multivariable model of OVB (forceps and vacuum), compared with a midwife, general practitioners (OR 5.6, p = 0.04) and integrated emergency surgical officers (OR 42.8, p = 0.001) were more likely to attend. Women experiencing OVB were more likely to receive local anesthesia (OR 3.0, p = 0.009).

Conclusion

OVB is used sparingly but safely at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital.
Let's Justify! How Regime Complexes Enhance the Normative Legitimacy of Global Governance
Authors: Faude Benjamin , Groβe-Kreul Felix
Published: April 2020

This theory note develops a theoretical approach which integrates the negative spillovers that international institutions often impose on each other into our thinking about their normative legitimacy. Our approach draws on the political philosophy of Rainer Forst which revolves around the right to justification. It suggests that regime complexes facilitate the breakup of institution-specific orders of justification by prompting invested actors to justify negative spillovers vis-à-vis each other. Thus, regime complexes enable more encompassing justifications of negative spillovers than stand-alone international institutions. Against this backdrop, we submit that the proliferation of regime complexes represents normative progress in global governance.
Characterization of the poll allele in Brahman cattle using long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing
Authors: Lamb Harrison J , Ross Elizabeth M , Nguyen Loan T , Lyons Russell E , Moore Stephen S , Hayes Ben J
Published: April 2020

Brahman cattle (Bos indicus) are well adapted to thrive in tropical environments. Since their introduction to Australia in 1933, Brahman’s ability to grow and reproduce on marginal lands has proven their value in the tropical beef industry. The poll phenotype, which describes the absence of horns, has become desirable in the cattle industry for animal welfare and handler safety concerns. The poll locus has been mapped to chromosome one. Four alleles, each a copy number variant, have been reported across this locus in B. indicus and Bos taurus. However, the causative mutation in Brahman cattle has not been fully characterized. Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ minION sequencer was used to sequence four homozygous poll (PcPc), four homozygous horned (pp), and three heterozygous (Pcp) Brahmans to characterize the poll allele in Brahman cattle. A total of 98 Gb were sequenced and an average coverage of 3.33X was achieved. Read N50 scores ranged from 9.9 to 19 kb. Examination of the mapped reads across the poll locus revealed insertions approximately 200 bp in length in the poll animals that were absent in the horned animals. These results are consistent with the Celtic poll allele, a 212-bp duplication that replaces 10 bp. This provides direct evidence that the Celtic poll allele is segregating in the Australian Brahman population.
Do Non-State Armed Groups Have a Legal Right to Consent to Offers of International Humanitarian Relief?
Authors: Vanhullebusch Matthias
Published: April 2020

During non-international armed conflicts, fighting parties have repeatedly denied international humanitarian relief to the civilian population under their territorial control leaving them at the brink of starvation. Debates on criminal accountability for violating the prohibition of the use of starvation against the civilian population as a method of warfare have yet to address the question of ownership of the right to consent to offers of international humanitarian relief before criminalising their denial. In respect of such right to consent at the strategic level, there are divergent interpretations on the application of the principle of symmetrical rights and obligations of fighting parties in the realm of international humanitarian relief. Humanitarian and state-centric perspectives, respectively, grant or deny non-state armed groups an independent right to consent to offers of international humanitarian relief. The humanitarian perspective argues that the asymmetry of such right in favour of the government party to the conflict and at the expense of the non-state armed groups is no longer justified, especially when the right of control at the operational level (after an offer has been accepted) is equally bestowed upon all parties to the conflict. The state-centric perspective defends the exclusive right of the government party to the conflict and fears that an equal right to strategic consent for non-state armed groups would increase their legitimacy. This study argues that neutrality upheld by international humanitarian relief actors, including impartial humanitarian bodies, such as the ICRC, and the Security Council gives rise to an interdependent exercise of the right to strategic consent by all fighting parties instead.
Using the Extremal Index for Value-at-Risk Backtesting*
Authors: Bücher Axel , Posch Peter N , Schmidtke Philipp
Published: April 2020

We introduce a set of new Value-at-Risk independence backtests by establishing a connection between the independence property of Value-at-Risk forecasts and the extremal index, a general measure of extremal clustering of stationary sequences. For this purpose, we introduce a sequence of relative excess returns whose extremal index is to be estimated. We compare our backtest to both popular and recent competitors using Monte Carlo simulations and find considerable power in many scenarios. In an applied section, we perform realistic out-of-sample forecasts with common forecasting models and discuss advantages and pitfalls of our approach.
Representative Bureaucracy and Attitudes Toward Automated Decision Making
Authors: Miller Susan M , Keiser Lael R
Published: April 2020

The theory of representative bureaucracy posits that citizens will view policy and service delivery more favorably if public servants share their background characteristics. However, automation is changing public service delivery, limiting human involvement in the process. We examine attitudes toward automated decision making through the lens of representative bureaucracy, generating expectations about how a lack of passive representation will affect views toward automated versus human decision making in government. Using a survey experiment, we find evidence that black citizens are more likely to rate automated decision making higher, compared with police officers, on fairness and preference when exposed to a lack of passive representation in a police agency. We do not find evidence of this relationship for white citizens. Our findings provide insight into the way in which passive representation conditions minority citizens’ views toward automation, highlighting the importance of considering representation, or lack thereof, as governments contemplate the adoption of automated services.
Baryonic clues to the puzzling diversity of dwarf galaxy rotation curves
Authors: Santos-Santos Isabel M E , Navarro Julio F , Robertson Andrew , Benítez-Llambay Alejandro , Oman Kyle A , Lovell Mark R , Frenk Carlos S , Ludlow Aaron D , Fattahi Azadeh , Ritz Adam
Published: April 2020

We use a compilation of disc galaxy rotation curves to assess the role of the luminous component (‘baryons’) in the rotation curve diversity problem. As in earlier work, we find that rotation curve shape correlates with baryonic surface density: high surface density galaxies have rapidly rising rotation curves consistent with cuspy cold dark matter haloes; slowly rising rotation curves (characteristic of galaxies with inner mass deficits or ‘cores’) occur only in low surface density galaxies. The correlation, however, seems too weak to be the main driver of the diversity. In addition, dwarf galaxies exhibit a clear trend, from ‘cuspy’ systems where baryons are unimportant in the inner mass budget to ‘cored’ galaxies where baryons actually dominate. This trend constrains the various scenarios proposed to explain the diversity, such as (i) baryonic inflows and outflows during galaxy formation; (ii) dark matter self-interactions; (iii) variations in the baryonic mass structure coupled to rotation velocities through the ‘mass discrepancy–acceleration relation’ (MDAR); or (iv) non-circular motions in gaseous discs. Together with analytical modelling and cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, our analysis shows that each of these scenarios has promising features, but none seems to fully account for the observed diversity. The MDAR, in particular, is inconsistent with the observed trend between rotation curve shape and baryonic importance; either the trend is caused by systematic errors in the data or the MDAR does not apply. The origin of the dwarf galaxy rotation curve diversity and its relation to the structure of cold dark matter haloes remains an open issue.
The orbital phase space of contracted dark matter haloes
Authors: Callingham Thomas M , Cautun Marius , Deason Alis J , Frenk Carlos S , Grand Robert J J , Marinacci Federico , Pakmor Ruediger
Published: April 2020

We study the orbital phase space of dark matter (DM) haloes in the auriga suite of cosmological hydrodynamics simulations of Milky Way (MW) analogues. We characterize haloes by their spherical action distribution, $F\left(J_{{r}},L\right)$, a function of the specific angular momentum, L, and the radial action, Jr, of the DM particles. By comparing DM-only and hydrodynamical simulations of the same haloes, we investigate the contraction of DM haloes caused by the accumulation of baryons at the centre. We find a small systematic suppression of the radial action in the DM haloes of the hydrodynamical simulations, suggesting that the commonly used adiabatic contraction approximation can result in an underestimate of the density by $\sim 8{{ \rm {per\ cent}}}$. We apply an iterative algorithm to contract the auriga DM haloes given a baryon density profile and halo mass, recovering the true contracted DM profiles with an accuracy of $\sim 15{{ \rm {per\ cent}}}$, that reflects halo-to-halo variation. Using this algorithm, we infer the total mass profile of the MW’s contracted DM halo. We derive updated values for the key astrophysical inputs to DM direct detection experiments: the DM density and velocity distribution in the Solar neighbourhood.
Mapping local interstellar medium with diffuse interstellar bands
Authors: Piecka Martin , Paunzen Ernst
Published: April 2020

With the use of the data from archives, we studied the correlations between the equivalent widths of four diffuse interstellar bands (4430, 5780, 5797, 6284 $\mathring{\rm A}$) and properties of the target stars (colour excess values, distances, and Galactic coordinates). Many different plots of the diffuse interstellar bands and their maps were produced and further analysed. There appears to be a structure in the plot of equivalent widths of 5780  $\mathring{\rm A}$ DIB (and 6284 $\mathring{\rm A}$ DIB) against the Galactic x-coordinate. The structure is well defined below ∼ 150 m$\mathring{\rm A}$ and within |x| < 250 pc, peaking around x = 170 pc. We argue that the origin of this structure is not a statistical fluctuation. Splitting the data in the Galactic longitude into several subregions improve or lower the well-known linear relation between the equivalent widths and the colour excess, which was expected. However, some of the lines of sight display drastically different behaviour. The region within 150° < l < 200° shows scatter in the correlation plots with the colour excess for all of the four bands with correlation coefficients R < 0.58. We suspect that the variation of physical conditions in the nearby molecular clouds could be responsible. Finally, the area 250° < l < 300° displays (from the statistical point of view) significantly lower values of equivalent widths than the other regions – this tells us that there is either a significant underabundance of carriers (when compared with the other regions) or that this has to be a result of an observational bias.
Ribosome profiling in archaea reveals leaderless translation, novel translational initiation sites, and ribosome pausing at single codon resolution
Authors: Gelsinger Diego Rivera , Dallon Emma , Reddy Rahul , Mohammad Fuad , Buskirk Allen R , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: April 2020

High-throughput methods, such as ribosome profiling, have revealed the complexity of translation regulation in Bacteria and Eukarya with large-scale effects on cellular functions. In contrast, the translational landscape in Archaea remains mostly unexplored. Here, we developed ribosome profiling in a model archaeon, Haloferax volcanii, elucidating, for the first time, the translational landscape of a representative of the third domain of life. We determined the ribosome footprint of H. volcanii to be comparable in size to that of the Eukarya. We linked footprint lengths to initiating and elongating states of the ribosome on leadered transcripts, operons, and on leaderless transcripts, the latter representing 70% of H. volcanii transcriptome. We manipulated ribosome activity with translation inhibitors to reveal ribosome pausing at specific codons. Lastly, we found that the drug harringtonine arrested ribosomes at initiation sites in this archaeon. This drug treatment allowed us to confirm known translation initiation sites and also reveal putative novel initiation sites in intergenic regions and within genes. Ribosome profiling revealed an uncharacterized complexity of translation in this archaeon with bacteria-like, eukarya-like, and potentially novel translation mechanisms. These mechanisms are likely to be functionally essential and to contribute to an expanded proteome with regulatory roles in gene expression.
MutaRNA: analysis and visualization of mutation-induced changes in RNA structure
Authors: Miladi Milad , Raden Martin , Diederichs Sven , Backofen Rolf
Published: April 2020

RNA molecules fold into complex structures as a result of intramolecular interactions between their nucleotides. The function of many non-coding RNAs and some cis-regulatory elements of messenger RNAs highly depends on their fold. Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and other types of mutations can disrupt the native function of an RNA element by altering its base pairing pattern. Identifying the effect of a mutation on an RNA’s structure is, therefore, a crucial step in evaluating the impact of mutations on the post-transcriptional regulation and function of RNAs within the cell. Even though a single nucleotide variation can have striking impacts on the structure formation, interpreting and comparing the impact usually needs expertise and meticulous efforts. Here, we present MutaRNA, a web server for visualization and interpretation of mutation-induced changes on the RNA structure in an intuitive and integrative fashion. To this end, probabilities of base pairing and position-wise unpaired probabilities of wildtype and mutated RNA sequences are computed and compared. Differential heatmap-like dot plot representations in combination with circular plots and arc diagrams help to identify local structure abberations, which are otherwise hidden in standard outputs. Eventually, MutaRNA provides a comprehensive and comparative overview of the mutation-induced changes in base pairing potentials and accessibility. The MutaRNA web server is freely available at http://rna.informatik.uni-freiburg.de/MutaRNA.
Presurgical Identification of Patients With Glioblastoma at Risk for Cognitive Impairment at 3-Month Follow-up
Authors: Rijnen Sophie J M , Butterbrod Elke , Rutten Geert-Jan M , Sitskoorn Margriet M , Gehring Karin
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Pre- and postoperative cognitive deficits have repeatedly been demonstrated in patients with glioblastoma (GBM).

OBJECTIVE

To identify presurgical risk factors that facilitate the identification of GBM patients at risk for postoperative cognitive impairment.

METHODS

Patients underwent neuropsychological assessment using Central Nervous System Vital Signs 1 d before (T0) and 3 mo after surgery (T3). Patients’ standardized scores on 7 cognitive domains were compared to a normative sample using one-sampleztests. Reliable change indices with correction for practice effects were calculated to assess cognitive changes in individual patients over time. Logistic regression models were performed to assess presurgical sociodemographic, clinical, psychological, and cognitive risk factors for postoperative cognitive impairments.

RESULTS

At T0, 208 patients were assessed, and 136 patients were retested at T3. Patients showed significantly lower performance both prior to and 3 mo after surgery on all cognitive domains compared to healthy controls. Improvements and declines over time occurred respectively in 11% to 32% and 6% to 26% of the GBM patients over the domains. The regression models showed that low preoperative cognitive performance posits a significant risk factor for postoperative cognitive impairment on all domains, and female sex was a risk factor for postoperative impairments in Visual Memory.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated preoperative cognitive risk factors that enable the identification of GBM patients who are at risk for cognitive impairment 3 mo after surgery. This information can help to inform patients and clinicians at an early stage, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing, assessing, and actively dealing with cognitive functioning in the clinical management of GBM patients.