bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Per‐gram competitive effects and contrasting soil resource effects in grasses and woody plants
Authors: Wilson Scott D. , Peltzer Duane A.
Published: June 2020

Plant species differ in their competitive effects by decreasing resource availability via uptake, but in some cases may increase resource availability via non‐uptake pathways. Here we explore differences between grasses and woody plants in their competitive effects, and relate these to differences in resource effects.

We grew five species each of grasses and woody plants in monocultures for 8 years. In the final two growing seasons, competitive effects were measured by growing transplants in all monocultures and in plots without neighbours.

Total competitive effects were significantly greater for woody plants than that for grasses. In contrast, the competitive effect per gram of grasses was about 17 times greater than that of woody plants.

For grasses, soil water (SoilW) and soil available N (SoilN) decreased significantly with increasing biomass. In contrast, for woody plants, SoilW and SoilN increased significantly with increasing biomass. The results suggest that the intense per‐gram competitive effects in grasses are related to the uptake of soil resources, and that the significantly lower per‐gram competitive effects of woody plants may be related to their positive effects on soil resources.

Synthesis. The results link differences in competitive effects between grasses and woody plants to differences in the direction of their effects on soil resources. These differences may contribute to the entrainment of negative feedback in grasslands, excluding trees by means of strong competition, and the entrainment of positive feedback beneath woody plants establishing in grasslands, resulting in a state change from grassland to woody vegetation.
Prevalence and determinants of radiological vertebral fractures in patients with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Vena Walter , Pizzocaro Alessandro , Indirli Rita , Amer Myriam , Maffezzoni Filippo , Delbarba Andrea , Leonardi Lorenzo , Balzarini Luca , Ulivieri Fabio M. , Ferlin Alberto , Mantovani Giovanna , Lania Andrea G. , Ferrante Emanuele , Mazziotti Gherardo
Published: June 2020

Background

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) may induce skeletal fragility, but the studies so far published on this topic were mainly focused on the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure, whereas data on fracture risk are still lacking.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence and determinants of vertebral fractures (VFs), that is, the hallmark of osteoporosis, in subjects with KS.

Materials and methods

Eighty‐seven patients with KS (median age 41 years, range 18‐64) were consecutively evaluated for radiological VFs (by quantitative morphometry) and lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD (by DXA). Fifty‐five patients with KS were also evaluated by the fracture risk assessment (FRAX) tool.

Results

Low BMD was found in 22/87 (25.3%) patients [12 with osteopenia, three with osteoporosis and seven with “low BMD per age” (subject < 50 years with Z‐score ≤−2.0 SD)] and VFs in 13/87 (14.9%) patients. In patients with VFs, the median spine deformity index was 2 (range 1‐9). Prevalence of VFs was similar between healthy and low‐BMD patients (15.9% vs 13.6%; P = .80). Noteworthy, patients with VFs had significantly higher age at diagnosis of KS as compared to patients who did not fracture (P = .039), without significant differences in age at the time of observation (P = .162), body mass index (P = .234), testosterone replacement therapy (P = .432), duration of testosterone therapy (P = .409), vitamin D therapy (P = 681), and serum testosterone levels (P = .338). Moreover, patients with VFs were more likely to complain back pain in comparison with those without VFs (33.3% vs 7.4%; P = .047). In 55 cases evaluated by the FRAX® tool, no significant differences in 10‐year risk of major fracture (P = .270) and hip fracture (P = .860) were found between fractured and non‐fractured patients.

Conclusions

This study provides first evidence that KS may be associated with risk of VFs in close relationship with delay in disease diagnosis but independently of BMD values and serum testosterone levels or testosterone therapy.
Phronesis in administration and organizations: A literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Ames Maria Clara Figueiredo Dalla Costa , Serafim Maurício Custódio , Zappellini Marcello Beckert
Published: June 2020

Phronesis is essential for good decision‐making and actions. This literature review shows how phronesis has been discussed and related to elements of the field of administration and organizations. A search in the database systems Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scielo, based on eligibility criteria, resulted in 43 theoretical and 14 empirical works. The analysis of these studies showed the most significant empirical contributions, the most cited authors, methods, journals, and central themes addressed in studies on phronesis to understand ethics in business. From a virtue ethics perspective, we discuss the major theoretical and empirical contributions, as well as the implications of a restricted understanding of phronesis when it is treated apart from other elements of the virtue ethics framework. We present a synthesis of the concepts of phronesis, based on dimensions of magnitude and amplitude of the conceptions, ranging from formal to substantive phronesis, and covering individual, organizational, or societal levels of analysis. We argue that a substantive conception of phronesis within virtue ethics may improve our understanding of ethics because it assumes the interdependence of phronesis and moral virtues, integral anthropology, and the common good. We present a future research agenda, considering the study's limitations and findings.
Insects in production – an introduction
Authors: Francuski Ljubinka , Beukeboom Leo W.
Published: June 2020

Insects have been on the menu of humans for centuries, but only recently we have begun to mass produce them for human food and animal feed. This introduction first paints a synopsis of mass cultured insects and their application. The new insect production industry raises many interesting fundamental and applied questions about insect biology and fitness. The second part of the introduction to this special issue addresses the 13 articles dealing with the improvement of mass‐rearing efforts for a range of insects. The various studies focus on the effects of diet and microorganisms on relevant life‐history traits and economic value of the insects. They reflect the current rapid developments in the insect production industry.
Campsisgrandiflora as a new host species harbouring two novel 16SrI subgroups of phytoplasmas
Authors: Li Zheng‐Nan , Sun Ping‐Ping , Zhang Lei
Published: June 2020

In September 2019, two diseased plants of Campsis grandiflora showing the main symptom of witches' ‐broom (CgWB) were found in a nursery garden in Yangling, Shaanxi province, China. Partial 16S ribosomal RNA (F2nR2 region) and ribosomal protein (rp) genes of phytoplasmas were generated from the symptomatic plants by PCR amplification, and phytoplasma bodies were observed in the sieve tube elements of the CgWB samples under a transmission electron microscope, indicating phytoplasma infection in the two CgWB plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the F2nR2 region and similarity coefficient results suggested that the two associated phytoplasmas belong to two novel subgroups of 16SrI (aster yellows) group, designated as AK and AL. On the reconstructed phylogenetic trees based on F2nR2 regions and rp genes of phytoplasmas, respectively, the CgWB‐associated phytoplasmas clustered together with members of 16SrI subgroups. This was the first record of phytoplasmas infecting C. grandiflora worldwide.
Crinoid localities of the Devonian of the British Isles
Authors: Donovan Stephen K. , Fearnhead Fiona E.
Published: June 2020

Who collects the Devonian crinoids of south‐west England? Since the nineteenth century, almost nobody. Few palaeontologists pursue these fossils, undoubtedly handsome in life, but indifferently preserved. Herein, we make a survey of four of the most important crinoid sites, all of which have the potential to produce new specimens.
Medium‐grade proteinuria is a risk factor for incident markers of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Schrader SY , Zeder AJ , Hilge R , Bogner JR , Seybold U
Published: June 2020

Objective

Medium‐grade proteinuria (100–500 mg/g creatinine) is common among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) but is often undetected or ignored. This prospective, observational cohort study examined medium‐grade proteinuria as a risk factor for markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

Quantitative urine samples were collected from 241 PLWHA without known renal disease at baseline between January 2009 and February 2011 and at follow‐up 240 weeks later. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess medium‐grade proteinuria as a risk factor for incident markers of CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, albuminuria, phosphaturia).

Results

Incident markers of CKD were identified in 33 patients (14%), of whom 24 (74%) had medium‐grade proteinuria at baseline. Of these, 22 even had proteinuria of < 200 mg/g creatinine. Multivariate analysis showed an adjusted relative risk (aRR) of 2.4 for patients with baseline medium‐grade proteinuria to develop signs of CKD. Age was identified as an additional independent predictor. By testing for interaction, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)‐independent proteinuria was strongly associated with incident CKD markers (aRR = 12.1).

Conclusion

Medium‐grade proteinuria of 100–500 mg/g creatinine is both frequent in PLWHA and a significant risk factor for developing markers of CKD, especially in the absence of TDF. Relevant risk seems to be associated with proteinuria levels as low as 100–200 mg/g creatinine. Current guidelines recommend specific action for proteinuria exceeding 135–200 mg/g but still will miss a relevant number of PLWHA potentially at risk for CKD. An even lower cut‐off to trigger nephrological work‐up and potentially renoprotective interventions appears to be indicated.
Gleich syndrome: a systematic review
Authors: Haber Roger , Chebl Joanna A. , El Gemayel Maria , Salloum Antoine
Published: June 2020

Characterized chiefly by hypereosinophilia and angioedema, Gleich syndrome is a rare disorder with unclear clinical and therapeutic findings. Other symptoms include increased IgM levels, weight gain, fever, and urticaria. Herein we review Gleich syndrome and assess clinical features, epidemiology, and treatment options. Thirty‐two articles including case reports or case series of eosinophilic angioedema and Gleich syndrome were included. Data regarding patient age, gender, and history, clinical and biological manifestations, and treatment protocols were recorded. The most common clinical findings include recurrent or non‐recurrent angioedema, fever, urticaria, weight gain, blood eosinophilia, and elevated immunoglobulin levels. Corticosteroid therapy is the mainstay of treatment. Gleich syndrome is a distinctive hypereosinophilic entity with a benign course and good response to systemic corticosteroids. More studies are needed to evaluate the pathophysiology of this syndrome and lead to better therapeutic options.
The use of intermittent pneumatic compression of the thigh to affect arterial and venous blood flow proximal to a chronic wound site
Authors: Morris Rhys John , Ridgway Bethan Sarah , Woodcock John Patrick
Published: June 2020

Intermittent pneumatic compression of the lower limbs has been shown to have beneficial effects in patients with chronic ulceration. However, the intermittent compression cuff will normally be applied over the wound, which may produce discomfort or interfere with other treatments. Thigh‐only approaches to intermittent pneumatic compression could solve this problem. This study aimed to demonstrate if such a system would have positive effects on venous and arterial blood flow distal to the compression site, but proximal to wound sites. The distal venous and arterial effects of a prototype thigh‐only 3‐chamber sequential intermittent pneumatic compression system were tested in 20 healthy volunteers, and 13 patients with ulcers of various aetiologies using Doppler ultrasound. The system produced hyperaemic responses in the arterial flow of both test groups. The peak venous velocity on deflation of the first and second chambers of the cuff was also greater in the patients with ulceration than in the healthy volunteers (11.6 cm/s vs 8.3 cm/s, P = .1). This work demonstrates that compression of the thigh alone can produce positive haemodynamic effects in the calves of patients with chronic wounds, and that this approach should be investigated as a therapy to improve blood flow to wound sites.
Prolongation of QT interval after pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Chikata Akio , Kato Takeshi , Usuda Kazuo , Fujita Shuhei , Maruyama Michiro , Otowa Kan‐ichi , Usuda Keisuke , Niwa Satoru , Tsuda Toyonobu , Hayashi Kenshi , Takamura Masayuki
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) affects the ganglionated plexi (GP) around the atrium leading to a modification of intrinsic cardiac autonomic system (ANS). In animal models, GP ablation has the potential risk of QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias. However, the impact of PVI on QT intervals in human remains unclear.

Methods and Results

We analyzed electrocardiograms of 117 consecutive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent their first PVI procedures and maintained sinus rhythm without antiarrhythmic drugs at all evaluation points (4 h, 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months after PVI). Heart rate significantly increased at 4 h, 1 day, and 1 month. Raw QT interval prolonged at 4 h (417.1 ± 41.6 ms, p < .001) but shortened at 1 day (376.4 ± 34.1 ms, p < .001), 1 month (382.2 ± 31.5 ms, p < 0.001), and 3 months (385.1 ± 32.8 ms, p < 0.001) compared with baseline (391.6 ± 31.4 ms). Bazett‐corrected QTc intervals were significantly prolonged at 4 h (430.8 ± 27.9 ms, p < .001), 1 day (434.8 ± 22.3 ms, p < .001), 1 month (434.8 ± 22.3 ms, p < .001), and 3 months (420.1 ± 21.8 ms, p < .001) compared with baseline (404.9 ± 25.2 ms). Framingham‐corrected QTc intervals significantly prolonged at 4 h (424.1 ± 26.6 ms, p < .001) and 1 day (412.3 ± 29.3 ms, p < .01) compared with baseline (399.2 ± 22.7 ms). Multiple regression analysis revealed that female sex is a significant predictor of raw QT and QTc interval increase at 4 h after PVI.

Conclusion

Raw QT and QTc were prolonged after PVI, especially in the acute phase. Female sex is a risk factor for QT increase.
Optimized low pH formulation of niacinamide enhances induction of autophagy marker ATG5 gene expression and protein levels in human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Oblong J.E. , DeAngelis Y.M. , Jarrold B.B. , Bierman J.C. , Rovito H.A. , Vires L. , Fang B. , Laughlin T. , Zhao W. , Hartman S.M. , Kainkaryam R. , Adams R. , Sherrill J.D. , Hakozaki T.
Published: June 2020

Background

Macromolecules in skin cells are damaged when exposed to environmental stressors, leading to disrupted cellular function and homeostasis. While epidermal turnover can eliminate some of this damage, autophagy can rapidly remove these defective components. Niacinamide (Nam) is known to induce autophagy and optimizing formulations to maximize this response could provide improved homeostasis in stressed skin.

Objective

To determine (i) whether Nam can induce autophagy related 5 (ATG5), an autophagy marker, in human keratinocytes and (ii) whether optimized low pH Nam formulations can enhance the response in 3D skin models.

Methods

Human keratinocytes treated with Nam were evaluated for autophagosome accumulation and induction of ATG5 by gene expression, immunoblotting and immune‐fluorescence microscopy. 3D skin equivalents were topically treated with Nam formulations at pH 5.8 and 3.8. Gene expression profiling and immunoblot analysis of ATG5 were performed.

Results

Nam treatment of keratinocytes led to an accumulation of autophagosomes with a maximal signal at 48 h. Gene expression of ATG5 was induced by Nam, and immunoblots stained for ATG5 showed a significant increase after 6 h of treatment. Gene expression profiling of 3D epidermal skin equivalents treated with Nam at pH 3.8 showed stronger induction of autophagy‐related genes, including ATG5, compared with pH 5.8 formulas. Enrichment for gene ontology terms on autophagy showed an increased linkage with Nam formulas at pH 3.8.

Conclusions

We found that Nam induces autophagosome accumulation and ATG5 levels in keratinocytes. We also discovered that a Nam formulation at pH 3.8 can further increase levels of ATG5 in 3D skin models when compared to Nam at pH 5.8. These data support that Nam can induce autophagy in keratinocytes and formulations at pH 3.8 can enhance the impact. We hypothesize that optimized formulations at pH 3.8 can improve skin ageing appearance via autophagy induction.
Listening to Women: Recommendations from Women of Color to Improve Experiences in Pregnancy and Birth Care
Authors: Altman Molly R. , McLemore Monica R. , Oseguera Talita , Lyndon Audrey , Franck Linda S.
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Women of color are at increased risk for poor birth outcomes, often driven by upstream social determinants and socially structured systems. Given the increasing rate of maternal mortality in the United States, particularly for women of color, there is a pressing need to find solutions to improving care quality and access for racially marginalized communities. This study aims to describe and thematically analyze the recommendations to improve pregnancy and birth care made by women of color with lived experience of perinatal health care.

Methods

Twenty‐two women of color living in the San Francisco Bay Area and receiving support services from a community‐based nonprofit organization participated in semistructured interviews about their experiences receiving health care during pregnancy and birth. Interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed, and transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to highlight recommendations for improving perinatal care experiences.

Results

Participants shared experiences and provided recommendations for improving care at the individual health care provider level, including spending quality time, relationship building and making meaningful connections, individualized person‐centered care, and partnership in decision making. At the health systems level, recommendations included continuity of care, racial concordance with providers, supportive health care system structures to meet the needs of women of color, and implicit bias trainings and education to reduce judgment, stereotyping, and discrimination.

Discussion

Participants in this study shared practical ways that health care providers and systems can improve pregnancy and birth care experiences for women of color. In addition to the actions needed to address the recommendations, health care providers and systems need to listen more closely to women of color as experts on their experiences in order to create effective change. Community‐centered research, driven by and for women of color, is essential to improve health disparities during pregnancy and birth.
Choice for prophylactic antibiotics: Cefazolin plus metronidazole or cefoxitin alone for endometrial cancer surgical staging
Authors: Song Nan , Gao Min , Tian Juan , Gao Yunong
Published: June 2020

Aim

The use of prophylactic antibiotics has greatly reduced the incidence of surgical site infections after hysterectomy. It is worth discussing which antibiotic is better. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the combined utilization of cefazolin and metronidazole for the prevention of surgical site infection in laparoscopic staging surgery of endometrial cancer.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on the incidence of surgical site infection in patients with endometrial cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgical staging from January 2000 to June 2019 within 1 month after surgery. Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

A total of 1783 patients were included in this study, of which 641 were treated with cefazoline plus metronidazole (group 1) as a prophylactic antibiotic, while the other 1142 were treated with cefoxitin (group 2). There was no difference in clinical characteristics between the two groups. The rates of surgical site infection in groups 1 and 2 were 3.6% (n = 23) and 5.7% (n = 65), respectively. The most common site of infections was vaginal, with the incidence of 1.7% (n = 11) and 3.3% (n = 38) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The multivariate analysis disclosed that cefazoline plus metronidazole significantly reduced the incidence of surgical site infections compared with cefoxitin (logistic, odds ratio = 2.213, 95% confidence interval 1.193 to 4.107).

Conclusion

Cefazolin plus metronidazole as prophylactic antibiotics for surgical staging of endometrial cancer can more effectively reduce the incidence of surgical site infections than cefoxitin.
Observation of Reduced Homeostatic Metabolic Activity and/or Coupling in White Matter Aging
Authors: Anderson Valerie C. , Tagge Ian J. , Li Xin , Quinn Joseph F. , Kaye Jeffrey A. , Bourdette Dennis N. , Spain Rebecca I. , Riccelli Louis P. , Sammi Manoj K. , Springer Charles S. , Rooney William D.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Transvascular water exchange plays a key role in the functional integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). In white matter (WM), a variety of imaging modalities have demonstrated age‐related changes in structure and metabolism, but the extent to which water exchange is altered remains unclear. Here, we investigated the cumulative effects of healthy aging on WM capillary water exchange.

METHODS

A total of 38 healthy adults (aged 36‐80 years) were studied using 7T dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. Blood volume fraction (vb) and capillary water efflux rate constant (kpo) were determined by fitting changes in the 1H2O longitudinal relaxation rate constant (R1) during contrast agent bolus passage to a two‐compartment exchange model. WM volume was determined by morphometric analysis of structural images.

RESULTS

R1 values and WM volume showed similar trajectories of age‐related decline. Among all subjects, vb and kpo averaged 1.7 (±0.5) mL/100 g of tissue and 2.1 (±1.1) s−1, respectively. While vb showed minimal changes over the 40‐year‐age span of participants, kpo declined 0.06 s−1 (ca. 3%) per year (r = −.66; P < .0005), from near 4 s−1 at age 30 to ca. 2 s−1 at age 70. The association remained significant after controlling for WM volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous studies have shown that kpo tracks Na+, K+‐ATPase activity‐dependent water exchange at the BBB and likely reflects neurogliovascular unit (NGVU) coupled metabolic activity. The age‐related decline in kpo observed here is consistent with compromised NGVU metabolism in older individuals and the dysregulated cellular bioenergetics that accompany normal brain aging.
Exploring Dietary Behavior Differences among Children by Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Woolf Hope R. , Fair Melissa , King Sarah B. , Dunn Caroline Glagola , Kaczynski Andrew T.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

In Spartanburg County, SC, nearly 33.7% of children are overweight or obese. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in eating behavior of youth by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

METHODS

Students (N = 997) in 4th to 5th grades completed the School Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. School databases categorized students as either White or racial/ethnic minority and free/reduced or full paid lunch status. Dietary behaviors included 13 composite measures: unhealthy proteins, healthy proteins, dairy, refined grains, whole grains, vegetables, fruit, fried snacks, sugar‐sweetened beverages, sweets, and consumption of a breakfast, evening, and/or restaurant meal. Logistic regression, controlling for sex, was used to analyze differences in consumption for each nutrition variable.

RESULTS

Minority youth were less likely to consume healthy proteins (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55‐0.92) and more likely to eat at a restaurant (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.02‐1.70) compared to white youth. Lower socioeconomic status youth were less likely to eat an evening meal compared to higher socioeconomic status youth (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.39‐0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in dietary behaviors may result from food accessibility and insecurity in minority and/or low‐income neighborhoods. Future research should explore policy strategies that can help ensure all youth maintain healthy eating habits and weight status.
Plant adaptation to climate change—Where are we?
Authors: Anderson Jill T. , Song Bao‐Hua
Published: June 2020

Climate change poses critical challenges for population persistence in natural communities, for agriculture and environmental sustainability, and for food security. In this review, we discuss recent progress in climatic adaptation in plants. We evaluate whether climate change exerts novel selection and disrupts local adaptation, whether gene flow can facilitate adaptive responses to climate change, and whether adaptive phenotypic plasticity could sustain populations in the short term. Furthermore, we discuss how climate change influences species interactions. Through a more in‐depth understanding of these eco‐evolutionary dynamics, we will increase our capacity to predict the adaptive potential of plants under climate change. In addition, we review studies that dissect the genetic basis of plant adaptation to climate change. Finally, we highlight key research gaps, ranging from validating gene function to elucidating molecular mechanisms, expanding research systems from model species to other natural species, testing the fitness consequences of alleles in natural environments, and designing multifactorial studies that more closely reflect the complex and interactive effects of multiple climate change factors. By leveraging interdisciplinary tools (e.g., cutting‐edge omics toolkits, novel ecological strategies, newly developed genome editing technology), researchers can more accurately predict the probability that species can persist through this rapid and intense period of environmental change, as well as cultivate crops to withstand climate change, and conserve biodiversity in natural systems.
The risk of pregnancy‐associated hypertension in women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Jung Young Mi , Lee Seung Mi , Hong Subeen , Koo Ja Nam , Oh Ig Hwan , Kim Byoung Jae , Kim Sun Min , Kim Sang Youn , Kim Gyoung Min , Kyung Joo Sae , Shin Sue , Norwitz Errol R. , Park Chan‐Wook , Jun Jong Kwan , Kim Won , Park Joong Shin
Published: June 2020

Background & Aims

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in non‐pregnant adults. Although the biological mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood, metabolic factors, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction are likely all involved. The association between NAFLD and pregnancy‐associated hypertension (HTN) has not been systematically examined. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of pregnancy‐associated HTN in pregnant women with NAFLD.

Methods

This is secondary analysis of a prospective study of healthy pregnant women. Liver ultrasonography was performed at 10‐14 weeks of gestation and maternal blood was taken for the measurement of selenoprotein P (SeP), a hepatokine independently associated with both NAFLD and CVD. Pregnancy‐associated HTN was defined as the development of gestational HTN, preeclampsia, or eclampsia.

Results

Among 877 pregnant women, the risk of developing pregnancy‐associated HTN was significantly increased in women with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD. Grade 2‐3 steatosis was a significant predictor of pregnancy‐associated HTN, even after adjustment for metabolic risk factors. Circulating levels of SeP were significantly higher in women with versus those without NAFLD (P = .001) and was significantly higher also in women who subsequently developed pregnancy‐associated HTN compared with those who did not (P < .005).

Conclusions

Sonographic evidence of NAFLD at 10‐14 weeks is an independent predictor of pregnancy‐associated HTN. Circulating levels of SeP at that same gestational age are significantly increased in pregnant women with NAFLD who subsequently develop pregnancy‐associated HTN.
Detecting safety helmet wearing on construction sites with bounding‐box regression and deep transfer learning
Authors: Shen Jie , Xiong Xin , Li Ying , He Wei , Li Peng , Zheng Xiaoyu
Published: June 2020

Detecting safety helmet wearing in surveillance videos is an essential task for safety management, compliance with regulations, and reducing the death rate from construction industry accidents. However, it is much challenged by some factors like interocclusion, scale variances, perspective distortion, small object detection, and the carrier recognition of safety helmet. Traditional image‐based methods suffer from them. This article proposes a new methodology for detecting safety helmet wearing, which makes use of convolutional neural network‐based face detection and bounding‐box regression for safety helmet detection. On the one hand, the method can help to recognize the carrier of the safety helmet and detect a multiscale and small safety helmet. On the other hand, deep transfer learning based on DenseNet is introduced and applied using two different strategies, namely, object feature extractor and fine‐tuning for safety helmet recognition. To further improve the recognition accuracy, the network model with two peer DenseNet networks is trained by mutual distillation. Extensive analysis and experiments show that the novel methodology has considerable advantages in detecting safety helmet wearing compared to other state‐of‐the‐art models. The proposed model has achieved 96.2% recall, 96.2% precision, and 94.47% average detection accuracy. These results, precision‐recall (PR) curve, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrate the feasibility of the new model.
Phenomics‐based GWAS analysis reveals the genetic architecture for drought resistance in cotton
Authors: Li Baoqi , Chen Lin , Sun Weinan , Wu Di , Wang Maojun , Yu Yu , Chen Guoxing , Yang Wanneng , Lin Zhongxu , Zhang Xianlong , Duan Lingfeng , Yang Xiyan
Published: June 2020

Drought resistance (DR) is a complex trait that is regulated by a variety of genes. Without comprehensive profiling of DR‐related traits, the knowledge of the genetic architecture for DR in cotton remains limited. Thus, there is a need to bridge the gap between genomics and phenomics. In this study, an automatic phenotyping platform (APP) was systematically applied to examine 119 image‐based digital traits (i‐traits) during drought stress at the seedling stage, across a natural population of 200 representative upland cotton accessions. Some novel i‐traits, as well as some traditional i‐traits, were used to evaluate the DR in cotton. The phenomics data allowed us to identify 390 genetic loci by genome‐wide association study (GWAS) using 56 morphological and 63 texture i‐traits. DR‐related genes, including GhRD2, GhNAC4, GhHAT22 and GhDREB2, were identified as candidate genes by some digital traits. Further analysis of candidate genes showed that Gh_A04G0377 and Gh_A04G0378 functioned as negative regulators for cotton drought response. Based on the combined digital phenotyping, GWAS analysis and transcriptome data, we conclude that the phenomics dataset provides an excellent resource to characterize key genetic loci with an unprecedented resolution which can inform future genome‐based breeding for improved DR in cotton.
Promoting dementia awareness in African‐American faith communities
Authors: Epps Fayron , Alexander Karah , Brewster Glenna S. , Parker Lauren J. , Chester Mia , Tomlinson Audrey , Adkins Aisha , Zingg Sabrina , Thornton Jacque
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease and other dementia‐related disorders are affecting the African‐American community at alarming rates. African‐American churches have traditionally been places of refuge where families go for support. However, many churches lack programs or resources to support families affected by dementia. In response, a nurse‐led interdisciplinary collaborative partnered with churches to promote dementia awareness through education.

Purpose

The purpose of this analysis was to (a) describe the demographics of those seeking dementia education in African‐American faith communities; (b) identify prior knowledge of dementia community resources; and (c) determine the preliminary usefulness of the education provided.

Methods

Over the course of 16 months, 202 individuals attended nine educational sessions hosted by five churches across metropolitan Atlanta. Quantitative surveys were used to collect demographics and evaluate the educational sessions.

Results

The majority of attendees were African‐American adults (91%), women (75%), and unaware of dementia resources (66%). Several attendees identified themselves as church leaders, community/church members, caregivers, and/or healthcare professionals. Attendees expressed the educational content was applicable to themselves or their families.

Conclusion

Results help identify ways to alter and/or strengthen the educational content and serve as a guide for developing culturally relevant, faith‐based community programs.
Recommendations for initial examination, differential diagnosis, and management of concussion and other head injuries in high‐level football
Authors: Feddermann‐Demont Nina , Chiampas Georges , Cowie Charlotte M. , Meyer Tim , Nordström Anna , Putukian Margot , Straumann Dominik , Kramer Efraim
Published: June 2020

Head injuries can result in substantially different outcomes, ranging from no detectable effect to transient functional impairments to life‐threatening structural lesions. In high‐level international football (soccer) tournaments, on average, one head injury occurs in every third match. Making the diagnosis and determining the severity of a head injury immediately on‐pitch or off‐field is a major challenge for team physicians, especially because clinical signs of a brain injury can develop over several minutes, hours, or even days after the injury. A standardized approach is useful to support team physicians in their decision whether the player should be allowed to continue to play or should be removed from play after head injury. A systematic, football‐specific procedure for examination and management during the first 72 hours after head injuries and a graduated Return‐to‐Football program for high‐level players have been developed by an international group of experts based on current national and international guidelines for the management of acute head injuries. The procedure includes seven stages from the initial on‐pitch examination to the graduated Return‐to‐Football program. Details of the assessments and the consequences of different outcomes are described for each stage. Criteria for emergency management (red flags), removal from play (orange flags), and referral to specialists for further diagnosis and treatment (persistent orange flags) are provided. The guidelines for return to sport after concussion‐type head injury are specified for football. Thus, the present paper presents a comprehensive procedure for team physicians after a head injury in high‐level football.
Hydroponics with wastewater: a review of trends and opportunities
Authors: Cifuentes‐Torres Liliana , Mendoza‐Espinosa Leopoldo G. , Correa‐Reyes Gabriel , Daesslé Luis Walter
Published: June 2020

Hydroponics is a method of crop production that has been successfully used for the growth of vegetables and flowers. It uses a nutrient solution and generally controlled environmental conditions which makes it more energy intensive, yet more productive than conventional agriculture. Hydroponic systems can be used as a treatment process for partially treated wastewater or reclaimed water (RW) before its release to the environment, as plants have the ability to uptake nutrients, toxic metals and emerging contaminants. The present review has the aim to look into the advantages of hydroponics and evaluate the success of using RW as a nutrient solution. It was found that many examples exist of successful experiments; however, full‐scale examples are still limited. With the recent interest in vertical farming and the production of legal cannabis, interest in hydroponics has increased and the use of RW as a nutrient solution may finally be economically viable.
Packaging Environmental Sensors for Monitoring Urban-Microclimates
Authors: Dey Shuv , Michael Brown J. , Joshi Yogendra
Published: June 2020

An internet-of-things (IoT)-based low-cost sensor network can be used to collect the data necessary to study both Urban Heat Island (UHI) and air pollution. There are several key challenges associated with an IoT-based solution to environmental data monitoring, including packaging and deployment. This study explores these challenges by looking at effects the packaging has on the deployed environmental sensors. Several packaging designs are numerically studied using a computation fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Two sensor designs are chosen using results obtained from CFD modeling and then experimentally deployed. The findings conclude that the IoT sensors chosen for this study are not significantly affected by flow velocities or require advanced packaging designs when paired with street-side outdoor digital displays.
Development of a Tensile Strain Capacity Predictive Model for American Petroleum Institute 5L X42 Welded Vintage Pipelines
Authors: Agbo Sylvester , Imanpour Ali , Li Yong , Kainat Muntaseer , Yoosef-Ghodsi Nader , Cheng J. J. Roger , Adeeb Samer
Published: June 2020

Pipelines can be exposed to a wide variety of loads, depending on the environments and the area of application. These loads may impose large longitudinal plastic strain on pipelines, which could constitute a significant threat to the structural capacity of the pipeline. Reliable calibration of the strain capacity of pipelines plays an important role in the strain-based design (SBD) method. In this paper, a tensile strain capacity (TSC) predictive model (an equation) for welded X42 vintage pipes has been developed by conducting nonlinear parametric analysis followed by nonlinear regression analysis. First, our previously validated extended finite element method (XFEM) model was used to demonstrate the applicability of the XFEM in simulating full-scale ductile fracture response of pipelines subjected to biaxial loading, using pressurized American Petroleum Institute (API) 5L X42 vintage pipes subjected to four-point bending. Second, a parametric study investigating the effects of pipe and defect geometries as well as loading on the pipe TSC is presented. The nonlinear parameterization using XFEM was conducted in abaqus/standard. The TSC trends obtained for the various parameters considered were examined to derive appropriate individual variable functions for each parameter while taking any significant interactions between the parameters into consideration. Also, a nonlinear regression analysis is employed to develop a nonlinear semi-empirical model for predicting the TSC. The results obtained from the developed TSC predictive model (TSCvin.) was compared with those evaluated using the validated XFEM models. The results showed good agreement. Finally, statistical analysis was conducted to ensure the model is unbiased and predicts conservative TSCs by modifying the model using probabilistic error analysis. The modified model is capable of increasing the confidence level in the predicted TSC hence becoming a practical tool for reliable prediction of TSC of X42 vintage pipes needed for conducting pipeline integrity assessment. This modified predictive model is useful in practical applications because it provides a quantifiable degree of conservatism and reliability to the predicted TSCs.
Slow sound: An undergraduate lab experience for critical thinking
Authors: Sidebottom David L.
Published: June 2020

In a simple time of flight experiment, the speed of sound is observed to travel about 5% slower inside a corrugated irrigation pipe as compared with measurements conducted in open air. Although some theoretical understanding for this retardation is provided, the focus of this paper concerns how this finding might be incorporated into an undergraduate lab activity that challenges student understanding of error analysis and its significance. We propose an inquiry-based format, recently championed by others, wherein students are challenged to decide how to resolve their observation of a slower speed in a second round of investigations.
Simulation study of nuclear shell model using sine basis
Authors: Sharma Aditi , Gora Swapna , Bhagavathi Jithin , Sastri O. S. K. S
Published: June 2020

Single-particle energy states for a neutron and a proton are obtained by solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation for the mean-field Woods–Saxon potential along with the spin-orbit term. The wavefunctions are expanded as a linear combination of simple sine-wave basis states, which are eigenfunctions of the infinite spherical-well potential. The requisite algorithm based on matrix diagonalization is implemented in Free Open Source Software (FOSS) Scilab. Initial values for the simulation were taken from model parameters given in the book on Nuclear Structure by Bohr and Mottelson, which were then optimized to obtain the best convergence with the available experimental energy values of various nuclei with magic proton and neutron numbers. The level scheme, as well as the energy values for doubly magic nuclei 82208Pb and 2040Ca, which are obtained using our simulation, is presented in this paper. Finally, energy level diagrams for neutrons and protons with respect to mass number A were arrived at, based on those obtained for various magic nuclei. The evaluation method, which is based on the sine-wave basis, is akin to Fourier analysis. When done with the aid of FOSS Scilab, this technique becomes easily accessible to students at the under-graduate (UG) level and may be studied through small projects.
Hybrid derivation of the 1D harmonic oscillator propagator
Authors: Moriconi Marco
Published: June 2020

We provide an elementary derivation of the one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator propagator, using a mix of approaches, such as path integrals, canonical operators, and ladder operators. This way we take the best of each world, and find the propagator with as few tears as possible.
Bell, Bohm, and qubit: EPR remixed
Authors: Press William H.
Published: June 2020

This article reviews the predictions of quantum mechanics (QM) for one- and two-particle Stern–Gerlach experiments and then frames Bell's results, which rule out hidden-variable alternatives to QM, as attempts by a skeptical Eve to fool Alice and Bob with (first example) classical probability mixtures of non-entangled quantum states and (second example) a classical hidden-variable theory. With hidden variables, Eve can succeed when Alice and Bob limit themselves to two Stern–Gerlach directions, but always fails for some choices of three directions. For three random directions, hidden-variable theories are impossible (we show) exactly 2/3 of the time. All the calculations in this article are available in Mathematica and Python files in the supplementary material, allowing readers to experiment with their own variants.
Can students apply the concept of “which-path” information learned in the context of Mach–Zehnder interferometer to the double-slit experiment?
Authors: Maries Alexandru , Sayer Ryan , Singh Chandralekha
Published: June 2020

The ability to use concepts learned in one context to solve problems in a different context (i.e., transfer of learning) is often one of the major goals of physics instruction. After all, the ability to transfer learning from one context to another is a prerequisite to recognizing the applicability of compact physical laws to a multitude of contexts and is a hallmark of expertise in physics. The majority of the studies on transfer of learning in physics have focused on introductory students and it has often been found that introductory students have difficulty in effectively transferring their learning and applying what they learned in one situation to another situation. However, compared to advanced students, introductory students have significantly less prior relevant knowledge and skills, which may be crucial for promoting effective transfer. Here, we examine upper-level undergraduate and graduate students' ability to transfer their learning about the concept of “which-path” information and its relation to whether or not interference is observed from the context of the Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI) to a new context of the double-slit experiment (DSE). Students worked through a tutorial on the MZI in which they learned to use the concept of which-path information to reason about interference of single photons when polarizers with various orientations are placed in one or both paths of the MZI. After working on the MZI tutorial, students were asked similar questions in the isomorphic context of the DSE before any instruction about the DSE and we examined the extent to which transfer of learning about which-path information occurred from the MZI to the DSE context. We find evidence suggesting that positive transfer of learning from the MZI to the DSE occurred despite the lack of an instructional intervention designed to help students recognize the similarity between the two contexts. The effectiveness of the MZI tutorial in promoting positive transfer of learning from one context to another in quantum mechanics sheds light on the expertise of the advanced physics students. Instructors of advanced physics courses can take advantage of the findings presented here, which show the difference between introductory and advanced physics students' expertise and ability to transfer from one context to another.
Can phone apps slow the spread of the coronavirus?
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: June 2020

Digital contact tracing is growing—and facing its first real-world tests.
Weather makers
Authors: Pearce Fred
Published: June 2020

Forests supply the world with rain. A controversial Russian theory claims they also make wind.
Bacteriophage-Antibiotic Combinations for Enterococcus faecium with Varying Bacteriophage and Daptomycin Susceptibilities
Authors: Morrisette Taylor , Lev Katherine L. , Kebriaei Razieh , Abdul-Mutakabbir Jacinda C. , Stamper Kyle C. , Morales Sandra , Lehman Susan M. , Canfield Gregory S. , Duerkop Breck A. , Arias Cesar A. , Rybak Michael J.
Published: June 2020

Concerns regarding increased prevalence of daptomycin (DAP)-resistant strains necessitate novel therapies for
Enterococcus faecium
infections. Obligately lytic bacteriophages are viruses that target, infect, and kill bacterial cells. Limited studies have evaluated phage-antibiotic combinations against
E. faecium
. After an initial screen of eight
E. faecium
strains, three strains with varying DAP/phage susceptibilities were selected for further experiments.