bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research challenges and opportunities for using big data in global change biology
Authors: Xia Jianyang , Wang Jing , Niu Shuli
Published: August 2020

Global change biology has been entering a big data era due to the vast increase in availability of both environmental and biological data. Big data refers to large data volume, complex data sets, and multiple data sources. The recent use of such big data is improving our understanding of interactions between biological systems and global environmental changes. In this review, we first explore how big data has been analyzed to identify the general patterns of biological responses to global changes at scales from gene to ecosystem. After that, we investigate how observational networks and space‐based big data have facilitated the discovery of emergent mechanisms and phenomena on the regional and global scales. Then, we evaluate the predictions of terrestrial biosphere under global changes by big modeling data. Finally, we introduce some methods to extract knowledge from big data, such as meta‐analysis, machine learning, traceability analysis, and data assimilation. The big data has opened new research opportunities, especially for developing new data‐driven theories for improving biological predictions in Earth system models, tracing global change impacts across different organismic levels, and constructing cyberinfrastructure tools to accelerate the pace of model‐data integrations. These efforts will uncork the bottleneck of using big data to understand biological responses and adaptations to future global changes.
The Effect of Psychiatric Comorbidities on Headache‐Related Disability in Migraine: Results From the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study
Authors: Lipton Richard B. , Seng Elizabeth K. , Chu Min Kyung , Reed Michael L. , Fanning Kristina M. , Adams Aubrey Manack , Buse Dawn C.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To examine the influences of depression and anxiety on headache‐related disability in people with episodic migraine or chronic migraine.

Background

Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities in people with migraine, especially among those with chronic migraine.

Methods

This cross‐sectional analysis of data from the longitudinal, internet‐based Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes Study assessed sociodemographic and headache features, and headache‐related disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale). Four groups were defined based on scores from validated screeners for depression (9‐item Patient Health Questionnaire) and anxiety (7‐item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale): depression alone, anxiety alone, both, or neither.

Results

Respondents (N = 16,788) were predominantly women (74.4% [12,494/16,788]) and white (84.0% [14,044/16,788]); mean age was 41 years. Depression was more likely in persons with chronic migraine vs episodic migraine (56.6% [836/1476] vs 30.0% [4589/15,312]; P < .001), as were anxiety (48.4% [715/1476] vs 28.1% 4307/15,312]; P < .001) and coexisting depression and anxiety (42.0% [620/1476] vs 20.8% [3192/15,312]; P < .001). After controlling for headache frequency and other covariates, depression alone, and anxiety alone were associated with 56.0% (rate ratio [RR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46‐1.66) and 39.0% (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.30‐1.50) increased risks of moderate/severe migraine‐related disability (both P < .001), respectively; the combination had an even greater effect on risk of moderate/severe disability (79.0% increase; RR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.71‐1.87; P < .001).

Conclusions

Depression alone and anxiety alone are associated with greater headache‐related disability after controlling for sociodemographic and headache features. Coexisting depression and anxiety are more strongly associated with disability than either comorbidity in isolation. Interventions targeting depression and anxiety as well as migraine itself may improve headache‐related disability in people with migraine.
Safety of Rimegepant, an Oral CGRP Receptor Antagonist, Plus CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies for Migraine
Authors: Berman Gary , Croop Robert , Kudrow David , Halverson Philip , Lovegren Meghan , Thiry Alexandra C. , Conway Charles M. , Coric Vladimir , Lipton Richard B.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Evaluate the safety and tolerability of oral rimegepant when used for acute treatment concomitantly with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) ligand or receptor (CGRP mAb) for the preventive treatment of migraine.

Background

The efficacy of CGRP mAbs for the preventive treatment of migraine and the small molecule CGRP receptor antagonist rimegepant for acute treatment has been demonstrated in randomized controlled clinical trials. Over the past few years, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved 4 CGRP mAbs for the preventive treatment of migraine and 2 small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists for the acute treatment of migraine. A previous case report of 2 patients receiving concomitant treatment with rimegepant and erenumab suggested that rimegepant may be safely used as acute treatment in patients who are also receiving a preventive regimen involving CGRP mAbs. We report here 13 additional patients with migraine who simultaneously used rimegepant and either erenumab, fremanezumab, or galcanezumab and assess the rate of on‐treatment adverse events (AEs).

Methods

This was a substudy nested within a multicenter, open‐label, long‐term safety study in adults with 2‐14 monthly migraine attacks of moderate to severe pain intensity. A subgroup experiencing 2‐8 monthly attacks and taking a stable dose of a CGRP mAb also took rimegepant 75 mg as needed up to once daily for acute treatment for 12 weeks.

Results

The 13 patients (11 women [85%]; mean age 49.9 years) enrolled in the substudy were being treated with CGRP mAbs (erenumab [n = 7], fremanezumab [n = 4], or galcanezumab [n = 2]). Mean (SD) time in the rimegepant treatment period was 9.6 (4.6) weeks. Mean (SD) 4‐week rimegepant exposure was 7.8 (5.5) doses; a total of 224 doses were taken. Five (38%) patients reported ≥1 on‐treatment AE. Of these, 2 (15%) patients had mild or moderate nasopharyngitis; no other AEs occurred in ≥2 patients. Three patients had AEs of mild or moderate severity that were considered potentially treatment‐related. No patients had serious AEs, AEs leading to discontinuation, or aminotransferase levels >3× the upper limit of normal.

Conclusion

Rimegepant, when used as an oral acute treatment in patients receiving CGRP mAbs as preventive treatment, was well tolerated; no safety issues were identified. Studies involving larger patient populations are needed to confirm these findings.
Fine‐woven punctured felt preform advanced ceramic composite for long duration hybrid fuel firing testing
Authors: Zhu Yang , Zhang Qiang , Cui Hong , Meng Xiangli , Yan Liansheng
Published: August 2020

A three‐dimensional fine‐woven punctured felt green body was used as a preform to generate an advanced ceramic. After chemical vapor infiltration and several cycles of precursor infiltration and pyrolysis, the pyrolysis carbon, as well as the silicon carbide and zirconium carbide ceramic matrix were formed. The advanced ceramic composite was tested under a hybrid fuel firing environment (hydrogen peroxide/ hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene, H2O2‐HTPB) for a relatively long time (240 seconds) as the puncture fibers head to the firing direction. After the test, beaded and bald fibers could be identified, and the sphere particles of firing residuals sizing from 10 μm to 1 mm were found. The test results show that the material is capable of withstanding a severe firing environment up to 2 MPa with an average linear erosion rate of 0.082 mm/s.
An assessment of the effects of mental accounting on overspending behaviour: An empirical study
Authors: Sui Lu , Sun Lijuan , Geyfman Victoria
Published: August 2020

Over 40% of American households always feel like they are overspending and they regret their choices. However, these consumers are unaware of the type of overspending they follow. Such overspending behaviours include income overspending (a consumer spends more than his or her earned income), expected overspending (a consumer spends more than expected in a “normal” year) and credit overspending (a consumer does not pay off credit card balances). The study aims to explore how overspending behaviours are affected by the mental accounts of wealth, saving goals and expense forecasting. Using data from the 2016 Survey of Consumer Finances, the study describes overspending behaviour associated with three types of mental accounts. The study reveals that expected overspending is affected by expenditure forecasts and wealth allocation while credit overspending is affected by wealth allocation only. Income overspending is influenced by wealth allocation, expenditure forecasts and savings goals. These findings have important implications for consumers and finance professionals. Furthermore, the study reveals the important influence of consumer demographic characteristics on overspending behaviours by showing that certain types of consumers have a higher propensity to overspend.
Mononuclear phagocyte regulation by the transcription factor Blimp‐1 in health and disease
Authors: Ulmert Isabel , Henriques‐Oliveira Luís , Pereira Carlos‐Filipe , Lahl Katharina
Published: August 2020

B lymphocyte‐induced maturation protein‐1 (Blimp‐1), the transcription factor encoded by the gene Prdm1, plays a number of crucial roles in the adaptive immune system, which result in the maintenance of key effector functions of B‐ and T‐cells. Emerging clinical data, as well as mechanistic evidence from mouse studies, have additionally identified critical functions of Blimp‐1 in the maintenance of immune homeostasis by the mononuclear phagocyte (MNP) system. Blimp‐1 regulation of gene expression affects various aspects of MNP biology, including developmental programmes such as fate decisions of monocytes entering peripheral tissue, and functional programmes such as activation, antigen presentation and secretion of soluble inflammatory mediators. The highly tissue‐, subset‐ and state‐specific regulation of Blimp‐1 expression in MNPs suggests that Blimp‐1 is a dynamic regulator of immune activation, integrating environmental cues to fine‐tune the function of innate cells. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge regarding Blimp‐1 regulation and function in macrophages and dendritic cells.
Vocal imitation between mothers and their children with cochlear implants
Authors: Kondaurova Maria V. , Fagan Mary K. , Zheng Qi
Published: August 2020

To better explain variation in language acquisition in children with hearing loss, this study examined vocal (e.g., vocalization) and lexical (e.g., word) imitation in spontaneous interactions between mothers and children with 12 months of hearing experience using their cochlear implants (n = 12; mean age 27.9 months). Hearing children in two control groups were matched to children with cochlear implants, either by child chronological age (n = 12; mean age = 27.4 months) or by child hearing experience (n = 12; mean age 12 months). All three groups of mother–child dyads were audio‐recorded playing together. Mothers and children in all groups imitated their partners’ vocalization and word utterances; however, the cochlear implant and hearing experience‐matched groups produced fewer word imitations than the age‐matched group. The frequency of preceding child vocalization or word production predicted maternal imitation type (vocalization or word); however, frequency of maternal vocalization predicted child vocalization imitation only. The results showed that child hearing experience affected imitation in both communication partners.
New in situ method for the determination of the crystallization kinetics of glass‐ceramics
Authors: Sander Malte , Jacobs Philipp , Roos Christian
Published: August 2020

An in situ method for the characterization of the crystallization behavior of glass‐ceramics has been developed, which is based on an acoustic, nondestructive Young's modulus measurement technique according to ASTM E1876. The progression of the crystallization can be measured due to an increasing Young's modulus during the heat treatment, which is a result of the formation of solid precipitations in a viscous melt. The crystalline content can be deduced from the data using a superposition principle for elastic properties. The developed method was evaluated using bar‐shaped bulk glass samples from a lithium‐alumosilicate glass‐ceramic system. The sample geometry, with its low surface‐to‐volume ratio, allowed a detailed analysis of the volume crystallization, due to a reduced influence of the surface crystallization on the measured signal. The development of the crystalline content was confirmed, and variations in the surface and bulk crystallization were examined using a reference method based on X‐ray diffraction.
Isotope‐specific analysis of neutron‐irradiated lithium aluminate ceramics by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Cho Herman , Burgeson Ingrid E. , Adami Susan R. , Sinkov Sergey I.
Published: August 2020

The effects of neutron irradiation on lithium aluminate ceramics and the transport and incorporation of tritium into surrounding components are primary concerns in the development of materials for use in tritium production. The high specific activity and volatility of the tritium in activated samples greatly increase the challenges of experimental analysis. This paper reports the determination of structural forms and concentrations of 3H and 6Li in irradiated and nonirradiated LiAlO2 by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The experiments find tritium uniformly distributed in hydroxyl groups bridging aluminum centers and lithium in four‐ and six‐coordinated sites. These results demonstrate that measurements can be performed in a nondestructive, safe manner to obtain isotope‐selective, quantitative information even on highly hazardous materials.
Development of gypsum‐based composites with tensile strain‐hardening characteristics
Authors: Wang Yichao , Jian Xiangru , Yu Jiangtao , Ye Junhong , Dong Fangyuan
Published: August 2020

Brittle nature of gypsum restrains its wide application in construction industry. For improvement, a novel type of composite material, gypsum‐based engineered cementitious composites (GS‐ECC), was developed using specially chosen polyethylene (PE) fibers. This study investigated the rheological and mechanical properties of GS‐ECC, that is, workability, uniaxial tensile and compressive behavior, flexural strength, etc The investigation showed that GS‐ECC possessed excellent tensile strain‐hardening behavior and saturated cracking characteristics with the average tensile strain capacity more than 5%. To explore the underlying mechanism, the microstructure of interface transition zone (ITZ) between gypsum crystals and PE fibers were investigated through the use of SEM. Single fiber pull‐out test, bending‐fracture test, and single crack tension test were conducted to investigate the mesoscopic properties from fiber/matrix interface to matrix toughness and fiber bridging capacity. This study demonstrates the feasibility of achieving strain‐hardening gypsum‐based composites by adding the PE fibers.
Composition‐dependent microstructure and electrical property of (1−x)SBN‐xBNBT solid solutions
Authors: He Xiao‐Juan , Xie Zhong‐Shuai , Yuan Xin , Li Ling , Huang Da‐Fang , Tao Chun‐Wei , Wang Rui‐Xue , Hao Jigong , Yuan Guoliang , Zhang Shan‐Tao
Published: August 2020

In this study, (1−x)Sr0.75Ba0.25Nb2O6‐x[0.94Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3‐0.06BaTiO3] solid solution ceramics were prepared and investigated. The length‐diameter ratio of pillar‐like grain increased with increase in x, reaching maximum value of 10.5 at average length of 1.36 μm and diameter of 0.13 μm for x = 0.20. The maximum dielectric constant, temperature corresponding to the maximum dielectric constant, and saturated polarization decreased, respectively, from 507, 36°C, and 3.2 μC/cm2 for x = 0 to 365, −61°C, and 2.0 μC/cm2 fort x = 0.10, and then increased to 1167, 43°C, and 5.5 μC/cm2 for x = 0.20. These results indicate the competitive effects of B‐site Ti4+ and A‐site Ba2+ on ferroelectricity.
EQT: Private Equity with a Purpose
Authors: Eccles Robert G. , Lennehag Therése , Nornholm Nina
Published: August 2020

The primary factors driving the remarkable growth of private equity have been the industry's attractive and stable returns in combination with its active ownership model. Nevertheless, critics have been questioning whether the PE industry can maintain its historic returns, and challenging its fee and incentive structures as well as its notable lack of transparency and diversity. And the alleged systemic effects of the industry on social problems like income inequality and climate change have become large enough to create a perceived threat to PE's long‐term “license to operate.”

In this article, the authors discuss the commitment of EQT, the publicly listed and Stockholm‐headquartered private markets firm (and eighth largest PE fundraiser in the world), to the “future‐proofing” of both its portfolio companies and the company itself. The company envisions itself as undertaking a “journey” toward sustainability and positive impact and, in so doing, furnishing a model that other PE firms might find useful in helping “future‐proof” the entire industry. As part of that commitment, EQT recently published a “Statement of Purpose” signed by its the board of directors that focuses a societal impact lens on its entire portfolio of companies and assets, reinforces its public commitments to diversity and other “clean and conscious” practices, and aims to leverage digital technologies to enhance financial returns and real‐world outcomes. Transparency and a mindset focused on achieving positive impact are the keys to PE's earning high and stable returns and to securing its long‐term license to operate.
What Public Companies Can Learn from Private Equity Pay Plans
Authors: O'Byrne Stephen F.
Published: August 2020

Studies of private equity pay, including one by current SEC commissioner Robert Jackson, have pointed to restrictions on equity sales as a key difference between private equity and public company pay. In this article, the author argues that there is another very important difference: equity compensation in PE pay plans is typically front loaded, with top executives of portfolio companies often required to buy shares, and receiving upfront option grants on three times the number of shares they purchase.

Such front‐loaded equity compensation allows PE pay plans to avoid the unintended effects of the “competitive pay policy” that have been embraced by public companies for the past 50 years. Competitive pay—targeted, for example, to provide 50th percentile total compensation regardless of past performance—has the effect of creating a systematic “performance penalty,” rewarding poor performance with more shares and penalizing superior performance with fewer shares. The author's research shows that, for public companies during the past decade or so, the number of shares granted has fallen by 7% for each 10% increase in share prices—and that, primarily for this reason, the front loaded option grants used by PE firms have provided five times more incentive (“pay leverage”) than the average public company's annual series of equity grants.

What's more, to the extent that PE pay has been guided by partnership and fixed‐sharing concepts rather than competitive pay, it is the spiritual heir to the value‐sharing concepts that guided public company pay in the first half of the 20th century. For 60 years, General Motors used value sharing in “economic profit”—10% of GM's profit above a 7% return on capital was the formula for the bonus pool for many years—as the basis for all incentive compensation. The author uses the GM history to highlight four ways to improve public company incentives and corporate governance.
Climate controls plant life‐form patterns on a high‐elevation oceanic island
Authors: Irl Severin D. H. , Obermeier Alexander , Beierkuhnlein Carl , Steinbauer Manuel J.
Published: August 2020

Aim

Plant life‐forms characterize key morphological strategies that enable large‐scale comparisons of plant communities. This study applies Raunkiær's plant life‐form concept that was developed for temperate climate to a subtropical island flora, in parts, dominated by summer aridity. We quantify how plant life‐form patterns as well as patterns of important plant functional traits (PFTs) relate to important climate and topographic characteristics.

Location

La Palma, Canary Islands.

Taxon

Flora of La Palma.

Methods

We assigned each native plant species a plant life‐form, that is, phanerophyte, chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, geophyte and therophyte, as well as PFTs (succulence and N‐fixer). We used stacked species distribution models to assess occurrence probability for each species using the Atlantis database (500 m × 500 m grid). We related richness and percentage values for each plant life‐form and PFT to climate and topography.

Results

Plant life‐forms and PFTs showed a clear pattern within geographic but also climate space, while topography had a minor effect. Phanerophytes mainly contributed to the flora in humid areas. Chamaephytes and hemicryptophytes most strongly contributed to the summit scrub flora and, to some degree, also to the arid coastal regions. Geophytes and therophytes were mainly found in dry coastal regions. N‐fixers contributed mainly to warm‐arid and cool‐arid regions, while succulent species were mainly found in arid coastal regions.

Main conclusions

Raunkiær's plant life‐form concept can be comprehensively transferred to a subtropical island flora by adapting to local unfavourable growing conditions, that is, aridity. Using the strong environmental gradients offered by our study island, we identify substantial climate‐driven variation in patterns of plant life‐forms and PFTs that might be used for large‐scale comparisons in macroecological studies. The growth strategies reflected in Raunkiær's plant life‐forms suggest differences in species establishment and coexistence dynamics within different parts of the island's climate space.
Historical biogeography identifies a possible role of Miocene wetlands in the diversification of the Amazonian rocket frogs (Aromobatidae: Allobates)
Authors: Réjaud Alexandre , Rodrigues Miguel T. , Crawford Andrew J. , Castroviejo‐Fisher Santiago , Jaramillo Andrés F. , Chaparro Juan C. , Glaw Frank , Gagliardi‐Urrutia Giussepe , Moravec Jiří , De la Riva Ignacio J. , Perez Pedro , Lima Albertina P. , Werneck Fernanda P. , Hrbek Tomas , Ron Santiago R. , Ernst Raffael , Kok Philippe J. R. , Driskell Amy , Chave Jérôme , Fouquet Antoine
Published: August 2020

Aim

We investigate the spatiotemporal context of the diversification of Allobates, a widespread genus of Amazonian frogs with high species diversity particularly in western Amazonia. We tested if that diversity originated in situ or through repeated dispersals from other Amazonian areas and if this diversification took place during or after the Pebas system, a vast lacustrine system occupying most western Amazonia between 23 and 10 million years ago (Mya).

Location

Amazonia.

Taxon

Allobates (Anura: Aromobatidae).

Methods

We gathered a spatially and taxonomically extensive sampling of mitochondrial DNA sequences from 932 Allobates specimens to delimit Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Complete mitogenomes of these OTUs were assembled to reconstruct a time‐calibrated phylogeny used to infer the historical and spatial origin of the Amazonian Allobates lineages.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses and ancestral area reconstruction suggested that most of the western Amazonian lineages resulted from in situ diversification and that these events occurred between the inferred origin of the genus (25 Mya) and 10 Mya, with a possible peak between 14 and 10 Mya. Dispersal among areas mostly occurred from western Amazonia towards the Brazilian and the Guiana Shields. Closely related Allobates OTUs display an allopatric pattern of distribution, matching interfluves delimited by modern Amazonian rivers.

Main Conclusions

In western Amazonia, diversification of Allobates appears to have been simultaneous with the last stages of the Pebas system (14–10 Mya). Subsequently (within the last 10 Mya), modern Amazonian river courses shaped the distribution pattern of Allobates species and possibly promoted allopatric speciation.
Heterogeneity of treatment effect in SPRINT by age and baseline comorbidities: The greatest impact of intensive blood pressure treatment is observed among younger patients without CKD or CVD and in older patients with CKD or CVD
Authors: Rostomian Ara H. , Tang Maxine C. , Soverow Jonathan , Sanchez Daniel R.
Published: August 2020

The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), a large randomized controlled trial funded by the National Institutes of Health, randomized 9361 patients with hypertension over 50 years of age and at least one cardiovascular risk factor to intensive (SBP < 120 mm Hg) or standard (SBP < 140 mm Hg) blood pressure treatment. The trial found a significant reduction in primary cardiovascular and mortality outcomes in the intensive treatment group. We performed an IRB‐approved post hoc analysis of the SPRINT trial data, recently made available through the NEJM SPRINT Data Analysis Challenge. Our subgroup analysis stratified subjects by age (≥75 years vs. <75 years) and presence or absence of pre‐existing chronic kidney disease (CKD) or cardiovascular disease (CVD). We found that intensive blood pressure control was associated with a significantly lower rate of the primary CVD outcome and all‐cause mortality in subjects age <75 years with no prior CVD or CKD and in subjects age ≥75 years with pre‐existing CVD or CKD.
Associations of the systolic and diastolic components of orthostatic hypotension with markers of cardiovascular risk in older men: A cross‐sectional analysis from The British Regional Heart Study
Authors: Gilani Artaza , Ramsay Sheena E. , Juraschek Stephen P. , Papacosta Olia , Lennon Lucy T. , Whincup Peter H. , Wannamethee Sasiwarang Goya
Published: August 2020

The mechanisms underlying the association between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and cardiovascular disease are unclear. We investigated whether OH is associated with circulating cardiovascular risk markers. This was a cross‐sectional analysis of 3857 older, community‐dwelling men. “Consensus OH” was defined as a sitting‐to‐standing decrease in systolic blood pressure ≥20 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥10 mm Hg that occurred within three minutes of standing. Multiple generalized linear regression and logistic models were used to examine the association between cardiovascular risk markers and OH. Consensus OH was present in 20.2%, consisting of isolated systolic OH in 12.6%, isolated diastolic OH in 4.6%, and combined systolic and diastolic OH in 3.0%. Concentration of von Willebrand factor, a marker of endothelial dysfunction, was positively associated with isolated systolic OH (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.05‐1.73) and combined systolic and diastolic OH (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.35‐3.83); high circulating phosphate concentration, which may reflect vascular calcification, was associated with isolated diastolic OH (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.04‐2.25) and combined systolic and diastolic OH (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.31‐3.44), high‐sensitivity troponin T, a marker of myocardial injury, was positively associated with isolated diastolic OH (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.07‐2.65) and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, a marker of cardiac stress, was positively associated with combined systolic and diastolic OH (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.14‐4.03). In conclusion, OH is associated with some cardiovascular risk markers implicated in endothelial dysfunction, vascular calcification, myocardial injury, and cardiac stress. Clinicians should consider assessing cardiovascular risk in patients with OH.
Encephalon gross morphology of the cichlid Geophagus sveni (Cichlidae: Geophagini): Comparative description and ecological perspectives
Authors: de Oliveira Rianne Caroline , da Graça Weferson Júnio
Published: August 2020

The encephalon gross morphology of Geophagus sveni is described, compared between male and female specimens and discussed in relation to evolutionary, ecological and behavioural aspects. The Student's t‐test revealed that there are no sexual dimorphism regarding the volume or linear measurements obtained from the main encephalon subdivisions (telencephalon, tectum mesencephali, cerebellum, gustative lobes, hypothalamus and hypophysis) in proportion to encephalon length, which is congruent with the absence of external dimorphic characters and presence of biparental care behaviour. In all specimens examined, the tectum mesencephali is the largest structure of the encephalon, which may be explained by feeding habit and by the importance of the vision center in a social context (i.e., brood guarding and territory defence, which are common behaviours in cichlids). Also, the lobus vagi is more developed than usual for other teleosts, which may be explained by the presence, in G. sveni as well as in other Geophagini species, of a differentiated pharyngeal apparatus, probably an adaptation to winnowing, a specialized feeding habit. The little intraspecific variation in neuroanatomical characters observed herein indicates a possible source of morphological characters to be explored in cichlid phylogeny.
Acid treatment of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) scales prior to analysis has negligible effects on δ13C and δ15N isotope ratios
Authors: O'Toole Christina , Weigum Emily , Graham Conor T. , White Philip , Samways Kurt , Hayden Brian , Brophy Deirdre
Published: August 2020

There is debate in the literature as to whether scales of fishes require acidification to remove inorganic carbonates prior to stable isotope analysis. Acid‐treated and untreated scales from 208 Atlantic salmon from nine locations on both sides of the Atlantic were analysed for δ13C and δ15N. Linear mixed‐effect models determined the effect of acid treatment to be statistically significant. However, the mean difference was small (δ13C 0.1 ± 0.2‰, δ15N −0.1 ± 0.2‰) and not of biological relevance. This study concludes that Atlantic salmon scales do not need to be acidified prior to stable isotope analysis.
EBSD‐based criteria for coesite‐quartz transformation
Authors: Bidgood Anna K. , Parsons Andrew J. , Lloyd Geoffrey E. , Waters Dave J. , Goddard Rellie M.
Published: August 2020

Ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism observed in continental terranes implies that continental crust can subduct to ~40 kbar before exhuming to the surface. This process is one of the least understood and widely debated parts of the orogenic cycle. The dominantly felsic composition of UHP continental terranes means that many petrology‐based techniques for determining peak pressures and temperatures are often not possible. In such cases, the detection of UHP conditions depends on the preservation of coesite, a rarely preserved mineral in exhumed UHP terranes as it rapidly transforms to quartz on decompression. Consequently, the qualitative identification of palisade quartz microstructures that form during the retrograde transformation of coesite to quartz is often used to identify UHP terranes. In this study, we conduct electron backscatter diffraction and misorientation analysis of palisade quartz inclusions in the coesite‐bearing pyrope quartzite from the Dora Maira massif in the Alps, and matrix‐scale palisade quartz in the Polokongka La granite from Tso Morari in the Ladakh Himalaya, in order to quantitatively define crystallographic characteristics of quartz after coesite. The repeatability of our observations in two unrelated occurrences of UHP rocks supports our interpretation that the following features provide a systematic and predictable set of criteria to identify the coesite to quartz transition: (1) Quartz crystallographic orientations define spatially and texturally distinct subdomains of palisade quartz grains with ‘single crystal’ orientations defined by distinct c‐axis point maxima. (2) Adjacent subdomains are misorientated with respect to each other by a misorientation angle/axis of 90°/. (3) Within each subdomain, palisade quartz grain boundaries commonly have intra‐ and inter‐granular misorientations of 60°/[0001], consistent with the dauphiné twin law. Our observations imply that the coesite‐quartz transformation is crystallographically controlled by the epitaxial nucleation of palisade quartz on the former coesite grain, specifically on potential coesite twin planes such as (01) and (021).
Molecular dynamics study with mutation shows that N‐terminal domain structural re‐orientation in Niemann‐Pick type C1 is required for proper alignment of cholesterol transport
Authors: Yoon Hye‐Jin , Jeong Jian , Lee Hyung Ho , Jang Soonmin
Published: August 2020

The lysosomal membrane protein Niemann‐Pick type C1 (NPC1) and Niemann‐Pick type C2 (NPC2) are main players of cholesterol control in the lysosome and it is known that the mutation on these proteins leads to the cholesterol trafficking‐related neurodegenerative disease, which is called the NPC disease. The mutation R518W or R518Q on the NPC1 is one of the type of disease‐related mutation that causes cholesterol transports to be cut in half, which results in the accumulation of cholesterol and lipids in the late endosomal/lysosomal compartment of the cell. Even though there has been significant progress with understanding the cholesterol transport by NPC1 in combination with NPC2, especially after the structural determination of the full‐length NPC1 in 2016, many details such as the interaction of the full‐length NPC1 with the NPC2, the molecular motions responsible for the cholesterol transport during and after this interaction, and the structure and the function relations of many mutations are still not well understood. In this study, we report the extensive molecular dynamics simulations in order to gain insight into the structure and the dynamics of NPC1 lumenal domain for the cholesterol transport and the disease behind the mutation (R518W). It was found that the mutation induces a structural shift of the N‐terminal domain, toward the loop region in the middle lumenal domain, which is believed to play a central role in the interaction with NPC2 protein, so the interaction with the NPC2 protein might be less favorable compared to the wild NPC1. Also, the simulation indicates the possible re‐orientation of the N‐terminal domain with both the wild and the R518W‐mutated NPC1 after receiving the cholesterol from the NPC2 that align to form an internal tunnel, which is a possible pose for further action in cholesterol trafficking. We believe the current study can provide a better understanding of the cholesterol transport by NPC1 especially the role of NTD of NPC1 in combination with NPC2 interactions.

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The multi‐faceted role of mitochondria in the pathology of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Trinh Dennison , Israwi Ahmad R. , Arathoon Lindsay R. , Gleave Jacqueline A. , Nash Joanne E.
Published: August 2020

Mitochondria are essential for neuronal function. They produce ATP to meet energy demands, regulate homeostasis of ion levels such as calcium and regulate reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative cellular stress. Mitochondria have also been shown to regulate protein synthesis within themselves, as well as within the nucleus, and also influence synaptic plasticity. These roles are especially important for neurons, which have higher energy demands and greater susceptibility to stress. Dysfunction of mitochondria has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Glaucoma and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The focus of this review is on how and why mitochondrial function is linked to the pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Many of the PD‐linked genetic mutations which have been identified result in dysfunctional mitochondria, through a wide‐spread number of mechanisms. In this review, we describe how susceptible neurons are predisposed to be vulnerable to the toxic events that occur during the neurodegenerative process of PD, and how mitochondria are central to these pathways. We also discuss ways in which proteins linked with familial PD control mitochondrial function, both physiologically and pathologically, along with their implications in genome‐wide association studies and risk assessment. Finally, we review potential strategies for disease modification through mitochondrial enhancement. Ultimately, agents capable of both improving and/or restoring mitochondrial function, either alone, or in conjunction with other disease‐modifying agents may halt or slow the progression of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

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Emodin inhibits aggregation of amyloid‐β peptide 1–42 and improves cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice
Authors: Wang Lichun , Liu Sitong , Xu Jiaqi , Watanabe Nobumoto , Mayo Kevin H. , Li Jiang , Li Xiaomeng
Published: August 2020

Aggregation of amyloid‐β peptide 1–42 (Aβ42) initiates the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and all the drugs designed to attenuate AD have failed in clinical trials. Emodin reduces levels of β‐amyloid, tau aggregation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response, demonstrating AD therapeutic potential, whereas its effect on the accumulation of the amyloid‐β protein is not well understood. In this work, we investigated emodin activity on Aβ aggregation using a range of biochemical, biophysical, and cell‐based approaches. We provide evidence to suggest that emodin blocks Aβ42 fibrillogenesis and Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity, displaying a greater effect than that of curcumin. Through adopting three short peptides (Aβ1‐16, Aβ17‐33, and Aβ28‐42), it was proven that emodin interacts with the Leu17‐Gly33 sequence. Furthermore, our findings indicated that Val18 and Phe19 in Aβ42 are the target residues with which emodin interacts according amino acid mutation experiments. When fed to 8‐month‐old B6C3‐Tg mice for 2 months, high‐dose emodin ameliorates cognitive impairment by 60%–70%. Pathological results revealed that levels of Aβ deposition in the brains of AD mice treated with a high dose of emodin decreased by 50%–70%. Therefore, our study indicates that emodin may represent a promising drug for AD treatment.

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Views and experiences of dermatologists in Turkey about teledermatology during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Altunisik Nihal , Turkmen Dursun , Calikoglu Emel , Sener Serpil
Published: August 2020

Background

Teledermatology is an alternative medical science that allows evaluation of patient's clinical information over a distance without requiring face‐to‐face examination. Due to COVID‐19, social distancing has become important these days, and teledermatology can help physicians and patients in overcoming the barriers of accessing health care.

Aim

In this study, we aim to evaluate how dermatologists in our country have viewed and experienced teledermatology during the pandemic through surveys.

Patients/Methods

The study was carried out by using an online survey for evaluating the teledermatology experiences of dermatologists in Turkey and how they have viewed teledermatology during the 2‐month pandemic period and the 2‐month prepandemic period.

Results

The number of patients evaluated with teledermatology methods was found to be significantly higher in the pandemic period when compared with the prepandemic period. The rates of using video calls with mobile phone and online video calls were found to be significantly higher in the pandemic period when compared with the prepandemic period.

Conclusion

Our study results show that the teledermatology method had a higher rate of usage compared to before the pandemic.
On the Absence of Directional Price Discrimination in the U.S. Airline Industry*
Authors: Lewis Matthew S.
Published: August 2020

Certain forms of price discrimination in oligopoly markets can lead to more aggressive competition and lower profits, yet few empirical studies examine how extensively such strategies are used. I consider one such strategy, testing whether airlines charge different prices on the same flights to passengers that originate from different endpoints. Using fare quote data I formulate a new approach to measure discrimination while controlling for cost heterogeneity and find that carriers within the U.S. domestic market do not engage in directional price discrimination despite frequently using other similar pricing strategies that are unlikely to enhance competition.
In vitro and in vivo characterization of cancer stem cell subpopulations in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Amôr Nádia Ghinelli , Buzo Rodrigo Fonseca , Ortiz Rafael Carneiro , Lopes Nathália Martins , Saito Luciana Mieli , Mackenzie Ian Campbell , Rodini Camila Oliveira
Published: August 2020

Background

Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics, the overall 5‐year survival rate of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains low. Tumor formation, progression, recurrence, and chemo‐resistance are associated with the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC) that show phenotypic heterogeneity, but how they influence tumor behavior remains poorly understood. We aimed to describe how two CSC phenotypes from an OSCC cell line, CD44HighESAHigh (Epi‐CSC) and CD44HighESALow (EMT‐CSC), behave in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

In vitro behavior of FACS‐sorted Epi‐CSC and EMT‐CSC from OSCC cells was characterized by their ability to form colonies, migrate, proliferate, and to invade a solid matrix. In vivo experiments were conducted in immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice by orthotopic xenografting of FACS‐sorted OSCC subpopulations.

Results

In vitro, the Epi‐CSC phenotype was more proliferative and generated more holoclones than the EMT phenotype. On the other hand, EMT‐CSC migrate and invaded more than Epi‐CSC cells in 3D culture, suggesting the CSC phenotype affects tumor cell behavior. When inoculated orthotopically into the tongues of immunodeficient mice, both subpopulations generated OSCC, but EMT‐CSC formed fewer and smaller tumors.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that while cells in the Epi‐CSC form the subpopulation that enables tumor growth, the EMT‐CSC are related to migration and invasion. Clinically, this may reflect the importance of Epi‐CSC for tumorigenesis and of the EMT‐CSC for metastasis and highlights that variation in the proportion of CSC phenotypes from patient to patient may be relevant to the design of individual treatment protocols.
Care Needs for Organ Transplant Recipients Scale: Development and psychometric testing
Authors: Chang Yu Hsuan , Lai Yeur Hur , Tsai Meng Kun , Shun Shiow Ching
Published: August 2020

Background

Needs assessment can determine how large the gap is between needs and available services; however, no tools are available to assess the unmet needs of renal transplant recipients.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop the Care Needs for Organ Transplant Recipients Scale (CNOTRS) and examine its psychometric properties.

Design

A cross‐sectional design for instrument development and psychometric testing.

Participants

In total, 217 renal transplant recipients were recruited through convenience sampling.

Methods

An initial 36‐item CNOTRS was developed after a comprehensive literature review. After the CNOTRS was tested through content validity and face validity, the factor structure was explored using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Convergent validity was examined using Pearson's correlation between the CNOTRS and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Known‐group validity was tested by comparing CNOTRS scores of patients grouped based on whether they had experienced complications or rejection.

Results

Twenty‐eight items with three factors (namely daily care and social interaction needs, psychological needs, and health system and service needs) were identified in EFA by parallel analysis and Velicer's MAP test. The psychological needs domain had a stronger positive correlation with the HADS than the other two domains. The known‐group validity was supported as a significant association between complications or rejection occurrence and unmet needs. The Cronbach's α of the CNOTRS was 0.94.

Conclusions

The CNOTRS demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity to assess the care needs for renal transplant recipients and can assist health care professionals to tailor more personalised care for their individual needs.
Application of soymilk skin as sausage wrapping for improving lipid oxidation
Authors: Lee Jaesang , Kim Yookyung
Published: August 2020

Yuba, the soymilk skin, was developed as edible films for sausage. Yuba (Y) were prepared with added pine‐needle extract (YP) and employed to wrap sausage. Physical and mechanical properties and lipid oxidation of sausages were compared to sausages made with commercial collagen casing (C). Y films showed better transparency, oxygen‐barrier properties, and UV‐light barrier properties than C films (p < .05). Particularly, the addition of pine‐needle extract increased DPPH activities from 31 to 48% and total phenol content from 7.52 to 14.64 mg gallic acid/g. Regarding application for sausage wrapping, Y (2.35%) and YP (2.66%) wrapped sausages with better protection against water loss during cooking compared to sausages made from C (5.84%). Especially, YP (3.57 MDA mg/kg) showed better protection against lipid oxidation for sausages than Y (4 MDA mg/kg) and C (4.62 MDA mg/kg) on day 6 after refrigerated storage. Yuba films could be employed as potential alternatives to gelatin films for manufacturing sausages.
Novel genetic sex markers reveal high frequency of sex reversal in wild populations of the agile frog (Rana dalmatina) associated with anthropogenic land use
Authors: Nemesházi Edina , Gál Zoltán , Ujhegyi Nikolett , Verebélyi Viktória , Mikó Zsanett , Üveges Bálint , Lefler Kinga Katalin , Jeffries Daniel Lee , Hoffmann Orsolya Ivett , Bókony Veronika
Published: August 2020

Populations of ectothermic vertebrates are vulnerable to environmental pollution and climate change because certain chemicals and extreme temperatures can cause sex reversal during early ontogeny (i.e. genetically female individuals develop male phenotype or vice versa), which may distort population sex ratios. However, we have troublingly little information on sex reversals in natural populations, due to unavailability of genetic sex markers. Here, we developed a genetic sexing method based on sex‐linked single nucleotide polymorphism loci to study the prevalence and fitness consequences of sex reversal in agile frogs (Rana dalmatina). Out of 125 juveniles raised in laboratory without exposure to sex‐reversing stimuli, 6 showed male phenotype but female genotype according to our markers. These individuals exhibited several signs of poor physiological condition, suggesting stress‐induced sex reversal and inferior fitness prospects. Among 162 adults from 11 wild populations in North‐Central Hungary, 20% of phenotypic males had female genotype according to our markers. These individuals occurred more frequently in areas of anthropogenic land use; this association was attributable to agriculture and less strongly to urban land use. Female‐to‐male sex‐reversed adults had similar body mass as normal males. We recorded no events of male‐to‐female sex reversal either in the laboratory or in the wild. These results support recent suspicions that sex reversal is widespread in nature, and suggest that human‐induced environmental changes may contribute to its pervasiveness. Furthermore, our findings indicate that sex reversal is associated with stress and poor health in early life, but sex‐reversed individuals surviving to adulthood may participate in breeding.