bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Walsh filters and subsequent angular-stitching for edge enhancement
Authors: Chatterjee Joydeep , Chakraborty Semanti , Palodhi Kanik
Published: December 2020

In common edge-enhancement techniques, mostly employed in digital image processing, all the edges of an object are enhanced simultaneously. Selective edge enhancement, a well-known technique in optics, on the other hand, is useful for controlled image representation and structural analysis of the images with applications in biology and chemistry. A simple yet versatile method for selective edge enhancement using a spatial bunch of filters, known as Walsh filters, applied in the Fourier domain has been presented in this paper. The method has been tested on different types of images such as camera images, and scanning electron microscope images. Experimental results with a half-circular object have been presented using reflective spatial light modulators (SLMs). After obtaining selective edges, Walsh filters have been rotated for ‘angular stitching’ to enhance edges in all possible radial directions. This makes this method superior to all previous selective edge enhancement methods using SLMs since it can be tuned to provide both selective or overall edge enhancements depending upon the situation.
Infrastructural-Innovation Realism in an Age of Collapse
Authors: Geidel Molly , Stuelke Patricia
Published: December 2020

This article explores a phenomenon of low-level magical realism we call infrastructural-innovation realism. Reversing the formulation identified by Sean McCann and Michael Szalay in their 2005 essay “Do You Believe in Magic? Literary Thinking After the New Left,” in which an earlier generation of left-leaning American writers eschewed engagement with the state in favor of imagining utopian magical communities, these novels rewrite historical events, often catastrophic and violent ones, with the addition of one piece of working magical infrastructure. Here we explore the effects of these magical technological additions in three novels: Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad (2016); Mohsin Hamid’s Exit West (2017); and briefly, César Aira’s Shantytown (2000). Although these effects vary, in these novels, history continues on as violently as ever: together they betray the difficulty in late neoliberalism of even imagining that states will provide working infrastructure, particularly for oppressed and displaced people. At the same time, these novels challenge the idea that imagining utopian communities beyond the state’s orbit constitutes a retreat from politics. Rather, they showcase the difficult, painstaking work of building alternative community in the wake of the state’s many failures and imply the continued necessity of confronting and reimagining the violent state rather than appealing to it.
Multiple factors affect the evolution of repertoire size across birds
Authors: Leighton Gavin M , Birmingham Tucker
Published: December 2020

Changes in signaling repertoires across species allow for insight into the macroevolutionary forces that control signaling systems. Signaling systems are theorized to be affected by both the social and ecological environments of species. With respect to social variables, increased social complexity is thought to lead to increased vocal complexity. Although ecology can affect signaling systems in numerous ways, one potential effect of ecology is that more cluttered habitats should lead to greater reliance on nonvisual (e.g., vocal) signals. To test these concepts on a macroevolutionary scale, we compiled a large dataset of avian vocal repertoires. We amassed vocal repertoires for 821 species of birds and for many of these species categorized their vocalizations into usage categories (e.g., alarm, contact). To analyze the social and ecological forces that act on repertoire evolution, we incorporated datasets with several social variables (e.g., cooperative breeding and length of social bond), and included data on the habitat and foraging behaviors of species within the dataset. We used Bayesian phylogenetic analysis to test for potential relationships within the data. We found that cooperative breeding was a significant predictor of larger repertoire size in birds; we also find several, more targeted effects. For instance, foraging strata affected repertoire size and repertoire composition. In sum, we find considerable evidence that social features affect repertoire size while certain ecological variables have more targeted effects on vocal repertoires.
Collecting and managing taxonomic data with NCBI-taxonomist
Authors: Buchmann Jan P , Holmes Edward C
Published: December 2020

We present NCBI-taxonomist—a command-line tool written in Python that collects and manages taxonomic data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). NCBI-taxonomist does not depend on a pre-downloaded taxonomic database but can store data locally. NCBI-taxonomist has six commands to map, collect, extract, resolve, import and group taxonomic data that can be linked together to create powerful analytical pipelines. Because many lifescience databases use the same taxonomic information, the data managed by NCBI-taxonomist is not limited to NCBI and can be used to find data linked to taxonomic information present in other scientific databases.

Availability and implementation

NCBI-taxonomist is implemented in Python 3 (≥3.8) and available at https://gitlab.com/janpb/ncbi-taxonomist and via PyPi (https://pypi.org/project/ncbi-taxonomist/), as a Docker container (https://gitlab.com/janpb/ncbi-taxonomist/container_registry/) and Singularity (v3.5.3) image (https://cloud.sylabs.io/library/jpb/ncbi-taxonomist). NCBI-taxonomist is licensed under the GPLv3.
PETAL: a Python tool for deep analysis of biological pathways
Authors: Sgroi Giuseppe , Russo Giulia , Pappalardo Francesco
Published: December 2020

Although several bioinformatics tools have been developed to examine signaling pathways, little attention has been given to ever long-distance crosstalk mechanisms. Here, we developed PETAL, a Python tool that automatically explores and detects the most relevant nodes within a KEGG pathway, scanning and performing an in-depth search. PETAL can contribute to discovering novel therapeutic targets or biomarkers that are potentially hidden and not considered in the network under study.

Availabilityand implementation

PETAL is a freely available open-source software. It runs on all platforms that support Python3. The user manual and source code are accessible from https://github.com/Pex2892/PETAL.
Regression adjustment in completely randomized experiments with a diverging number of covariates
Authors: Lei Lihua , Ding Peng
Published: December 2020

Randomized experiments have become important tools in empirical research. In a completely randomized treatment-control experiment, the simple difference in means of the outcome is un- biased for the average treatment effect, and covariate adjustment can further improve the efficiency without assuming a correctly specified outcome model. In modern applications, experimenters often have access to many covariates, motivating the need for a theory of covariate adjustment under the asymptotic regime with a diverging number of covariates. We study the asymptotic properties of covariate adjustment under the potential outcomes model and propose a bias-corrected estimator that is consistent and asymptotically normal under weaker conditions. Our theory is based purely on randomization without imposing any parametric outcome model assumptions. To prove the theoretical results, we develop novel vector and matrix concentration inequalities for sampling without replacement.
Gut, metabolism and nutritional Support for COVID-19: Experiences from China
Authors: Jiang Hua , Zhang Jian-Cheng , Zeng Jun , Wang Lu , Wang Yu , Lu Charles Damien , Deng Lei , Deng Hongfei , Wang Kai , Sun Ming-Wei , Zhou Ping , Yuan Ting , Chen Wei
Published: December 2020

There is little research that focuses on the relationship between the gut, metabolism, nutritional support and COVID-19. As a group of Chinese physicians, nutritionists and scientists working on the frontline treating COVID-19 patients, we aim to integrate our experiences and the current clinical evidence to address this pressing issue in this article. Based on our clinical observations and available evidence, we recommend the following practice. Firstly, the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 tool should be used routinely and periodically; for patients with a score ≥3, oral nutritional supplements should be given immediately. Secondly, for patients receiving the antiviral agents lopinavir/ritonavir, gastrointestinal side effects should be monitored for and timely intervention provided. Thirdly, for feeding, the enteral route should be the first choice. In patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, establishing a jejunal route as early as possible can guarantee the feeding target being achieved if gastric dilatation occurs. Fourthly, we suggest a permissive underfeeding strategy for severe/critical patients admitted to the intensive care unit during the first week of admission, with the energy target no more than 20 kcal/kg/day (for those on mechanical ventilation, this target may be lowered to 10–15 kcal/kg/day) and the protein target around 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day. If the inflammatory condition is significantly alleviated, the energy target may be gradually increased to 25–30 kcal/kg/day and the protein target to 1.2–1.5 g/kg/day. Fifthly, supplemental parenteral nutrition should be used with caution. Lastly, omega-3 fatty acids may be used as immunoregulators, intravenous administration of omega-3 fatty emulsion (10 g/day) at an early stage may help to reduce the inflammatory reaction.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Benefit-Risk Considerations for Cefiderocol (Fetroja®)
Authors: Naseer Shabnam , Weinstein Edward A , Rubin Daniel B , Suvarna Kalavati , Wei Xiaohui , Higgins Karen , Goodwin Avery , Jang Seong H , Iarikov Dmitri , Farley John , Nambiar Sumathi
Published: December 2020

In November 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cefiderocol for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) including pyelonephritis caused by susceptible gram-negative bacteria in adults with limited to no alternative treatment options based on a randomized, double-blind, noninferiority cUTI trial (APEKS-cUTI). In a randomized, open-label trial (CREDIBLE-CR) in patients with cUTI, nosocomial pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or sepsis due to carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria, an increase in all-cause mortality was observed in patients treated with cefiderocol as compared to best available therapy. The cause of the increased mortality was not established, but some deaths were attributed to treatment failure. Preliminary data from a randomized, double-blind trial (APEKS-NP) in patients with nosocomial pneumonia due to carbapenem-susceptible gram-negative bacteria showed a similar rate of mortality as compared to meropenem. We describe the uncertainties and challenges in the interpretation of the CREDIBLE-CR trial and some benefit-risk considerations for the use of cefiderocol in clinical practice.

Clinical Trials Registration: NCT02321800.
Characteristics of Adults Aged 18–49 Years Without Underlying Conditions Hospitalized With Laboratory-Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the United States: COVID-NET—March–August 2020
Authors: Owusu Daniel , Kim Lindsay , O’Halloran Alissa , Whitaker Michael , Piasecki Alexandra M , Reingold Arthur , Alden Nisha B , Maslar Amber , Anderson Evan J , Ryan Patricia A , Kim Sue , Como-Sabetti Kathryn , Hancock Emily B , Muse Alison , Bennett Nancy M , Billing Laurie M , Sutton Melissa , Talbot H Keipp , Ortega Jake , Brammer Lynnette , Fry Alicia M , Hall Aron J , Garg Shikha ,   COVID-NET Surveillance Teama, Cummings Charisse N , Holstein Rachel , Kambhampati Anita , Meador Seth , Wortham Jonathan M , Chai Shua J , Kawasaki Breanna , Yousey-Hindes Kimberly , Openo Kyle P , Monroe Maya L , Reeg Libby , Lynfield Ruth , Eisenberg Nancy , Barney Grant R , Felsen Christina B , Shiltz Jessica , West Nicole , Schaffner William , Price Andrea
Published: December 2020

Among 513 adults aged 18–49 years without underlying medical conditions hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during March 2020–August 2020, 22% were admitted to an intensive care unit, 10% required mechanical ventilation, and 3 patients died (0.6%). These data demonstrate that healthy younger adults can develop severe COVID-19.
Fatty acid composition and parasitism of European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) populations in the northern Catalan Sea in the context of changing environmental conditions
Authors: Biton-Porsmoguer Sebastian , Bou Ricard , Lloret Elsa , Alcaide Manuel , Lloret Josep
Published: December 2020

The status of sardine and anchovy populations in the northern Mediterranean Sea has been declining in recent decades. In this study, fatty acids and parasitism at different reproductive and feeding stages in these two species were assessed using specimens caught along the northern Catalan coast, in order to assess the links between lipid dynamics, reproduction and feeding in these two species and to contribute towards an explanation of the potential causes of the current poor situation of the stocks. The results support the use of fatty acid levels as indicators of the body condition of sardine and anchovy at different reproductive and feeding stages, as well as that of the pelagic environmental conditions. In particular, the relatively low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels found in spawning sardines compared to spawning anchovies indicate a poorer reproductive health status of sardine. By comparing the current total lipid content values with those recorded in other Mediterranean and North Atlantic areas, and others from more than 10 years ago, in the adjacent area of the Gulf of Lion, our study reveals the persistent poor condition of sardine and anchovy in the northern Catalan Sea. Furthermore, the low levels of diatom fatty acid markers observed throughout the spawning and non-spawning seasons in both sardine and anchovy indicate a diet poor in diatoms. Moreover, the results indicate that it is very unlikely that parasitism is a significant factor in the decline in condition of sardine and anchovy in the northern Catalan Sea. In fact, the results, which we believe provide useful insights for the management of small pelagic fisheries in the Mediterranean, suggest that the current poor condition of sardine and anchovy in the northern Catalan Sea has probably been exacerbated by a decrease in plankton productivity and/or a shift in the taxonomic composition of phytoplankton communities, adding to the ongoing effects of overfishing.
No Stratified Effect of Unemployment on Incomes: How the Market, State, and Household Compensate for Income Loss in the United Kingdom and Switzerland
Authors: Nallo Alessandro Di , Oesch Daniel
Published: December 2020

Unemployment is a critical life event that may affect the income trajectories of displaced workers very unequally. It may lead to cumulative disadvantage and hit vulnerable groups hardest. Alternatively, it may level the playing field because higher classes have more to lose. We analyse heterogeneous effects of unemployment on income for the United Kingdom and Switzerland, using two household panels—Understanding Society 2009–2017 and the Swiss Household Panel 1999–2017—and distinguishing two sources of income: from the labour market and welfare state, at the level of individuals and households. We use a difference-in-differences design by matching unemployed to employed workers and estimating fixed-effects regressions. Results show that individual labour income drops in the 2 years after an unemployment spell by 20 and 25 per cent in Switzerland and by 25 and 55 per cent in the United Kingdom. Welfare state transfers reduce these losses by half in Switzerland, but have only a marginal impact in the United Kingdom. In both countries, income losses do not differ much across social classes. If anything, they are smaller in the working class. We thus find no evidence for cumulative disadvantage. The middle classes face a lower risk of becoming unemployed, but are not less vulnerable to its consequences.
Complex patients’ effect on family physicians: high cognitive load and negative emotional impact
Authors: Roskos Steven E , Fitzpatrick Laurie , Arnetz Bengt , Arnetz Judy , Shrotriya Shiva , Hengstebeck Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Background and objectives

Complex patients present an increasing challenge to the health care system and family physicians play an important role in their care. As part of a larger project exploring family physicians’ perceptions of complex patients, we sought to understand how complex patients affect family physicians and if these effects might be related to physician burnout.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study involving interviews with family physicians from various practice settings. We invited the physicians to choose three of their patients between the ages of 18 and 64 whom they considered to have complex medical problems and to have access to their medical records during a telephone interview using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, professionally transcribed and coded. Using qualitative analytical software, research team members worked together to analyse the interview data and determine emerging themes.

Results

Eleven family physicians participated in the interviews and described 29 unique complex patients, including challenges and effects on them personally. Analysis of the available 10 family physicians’ interviews revealed two themes related to complexity’s impact on physicians: (i) high cognitive load and (ii) negative emotional impact.

Conclusion

Although preliminary, this study offers a previously unconsidered understanding of drivers of physician burnout, including high cognitive load and negative emotional impact on family physicians created by caring for complex patients. Interventions to improve health care, including addressing physician wellness and burnout, should include the provision of resources to assist them with decreasing cognitive load and negative emotional impact when caring for complex patients.
Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34, a historical perspective on its discovery, characterization and metal resistance
Authors: Mergeay Max , Van Houdt Rob
Published: December 2020

Cupriavidus metallidurans, and in particular type strain CH34, became a model bacterium to study bacterial resistance to metals. Although nowadays the routine use of a wide variety of omics and molecular techniques allow refining, deepening and expanding our knowledge on adaptation and resistance to metals, these were not available at the onset of C. metallidurans research starting from its isolation in 1976. This minireview describes the early research and legacy tools used to study its metal resistance determinants, characteristic megaplasmids, ecological niches and environmental applications.
Exploring access to, use of and benefits from population-oriented digital health services in Australia
Authors: Foley Kristen , Freeman Toby , Ward Paul , Lawler Anthony , Osborne Richard , Fisher Matt
Published: December 2020

The provision of population-oriented, on-demand digital health services in many countries exemplifies the perceived utility of digital health services in supporting population health. Yet, limited knowledge exists regarding the equity of these services. Using mixed-method research, we recruited users of a health website and general practice patients to surveys (n = 441) and telephone interviews (n = 40). We contribute specific evidence investigating barriers to access, use and benefit from digital health services within an equity framework that incorporates social determinant factors, eHealth Literacy and trust. Our research highlights the foundational role of trust in predicting use, showcases which groups are unlikely to benefit from population-oriented digital health services, and proposes strategies to enhance the equity of these services. The theoretical framework we developed serves as a roadmap for future health promotion research and action by outlining the complex and interrelated pathways that can promote and threaten digital health equity.
Redesigning walking brochures using behaviour change theory: implications for walking intentions in natural environments
Authors: Elliott Lewis R , White Mathew P , Fleming Lora E , Abraham Charles , Taylor Adrian H
Published: December 2020

Natural environments can be used to promote health through facilitating recreational walking. However, efforts to encourage this often neglect messages identified in psychological research that are effective at influencing intentions to walk. This is despite the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence stating that promotional efforts should utilize theoretical frameworks of behaviour change and be targeted towards less active adults. As an illustrative example, this experiment compared a prototypical recreational walking brochure with an “enhanced” version including such persuasive messages on people’s intentions to walk for recreation in natural environments. The enhanced brochure heightened intentions for inexperienced recreational walkers through our hypothesized mechanisms, but appeared to dissuade already-experienced walkers. Optimal messaging strategies in recreational walking brochures require tailoring to more and less active readerships. Guidelines are provided for authors of recreational walking brochures, though the principles and techniques could easily be extended to other means of outdoor walking promotion.
The relationship between general health behaviors and general health literacy levels in the Turkish population
Authors: Aygun Ozcan , Cerim Selda
Published: December 2020

The purpose of our study was to determine the health literacy level of the study participants and examine the relationship between health literacy levels and sociodemographic characteristics, health self-assessment levels and health protective behaviors. We recruited 826 individuals into the study, selecting the participants by using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected with a descriptive information form, the European Health Literacy Scale and a General Health Behaviors Scale. The analysis of the data was carried out using numbers and percentages, the Chi Square test and ordinal regression analysis. We found that the level of health literacy was inadequate in 25.9% of the study participants, problematic/limited in 41.4% had, adequate in 23.6% and excellent in 9.1%. A statistically significant correlation was found between an adequate level of health literacy and being relatively more educated, having a chronic disease, being able to follow up on health news, reading publications on health and being better able to evaluate one’s own health (p < 0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant correlation was observed between adequate health literacy levels and being in the later stages of the transtheoretical model in terms of general health behaviors in the domains outside of monitoring one’s own weight and avoiding the sun (p < 0.05). The level of adequate health literacy was discovered to be lower in our study than in Europe. Health protective behaviors show an increase among individuals who display an adequate level of health literacy.
Grand challenge for habitat science: stage-structured responses, nonlocal drivers, and mechanistic associations among habitat variables affecting fishery productivity
Authors: Thorson James T , Hermann Albert J , Siwicke Kevin , Zimmermann Mark
Published: December 2020

Spatial management has been adopted worldwide to mitigate habitat impacts while achieving fisheries management objectives. However, there is little theory or practice for predicting the impact of spatial regulations on future fishery production; this would provide scientific basis for greater flexibility in fisheries management when balancing fishery and conservation goals. We propose that predicting changes in fishery production resulting from human activities within specific habitats is a “Grand Challenge” for habitat science in the coming decade(s). We then outline three difficulties in resolving this Grand Habitat Challenge, including: (i) stage-structured responses to habitat impacts, (ii) nonlocal responses, and (iii) mechanistic associations among habitat variables. We next discuss analytical approaches to address each difficulty, respectively: (i) ongoing developments for spatial demographic models; (ii) individual movement models and rank-reduction approaches to identify regional variability; (iii) causal analysis involving structural equation models. We demonstrate nonlocal effects in detail using a diffusion-taxis movement model applied to sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) in the Gulf of Alaska and discuss all three approaches for deep-sea corals. Despite isolated progress to resolve individual difficulties, we argue that resolving this Grand Habitat Challenge will require a coordinated commitment from science agencies worldwide.
Spectral Quasi Correlations and Phase Transitions for the Nodal Length of Arithmetic Random Waves
Authors: Sartori Andrea
Published: December 2020

We study the nodal length of arithmetic random waves at small scales: we show that there exists a phasetransition for the distribution of the nodal length at a logarithmic power above Planck scale. Furthermore, we give strong evidence for the existence of an intermediate phase between arithmetic and Berry’s random waves. These results are based on the study of small sums of lattice points lying on the same circle, called spectral quasi correlations. We show that, for generic integers representable as the sum of two squares, there are no spectral quasi correlations.
Risk Factors for Ebola Exposure in Health Care Workers in Boende, Tshuapa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Doshi Reena H , Hoff Nicole A , Bratcher Anna , Mukadi Patrick , Gadoth Adva , Nicholson Bradly P , Williams Russell , Mukadi Daniel , Mossoko Matthias , Wasiswa Joseph , Mwanza Alexis , Sinai Cyrus , Alfonso Vivian H , Shah Rupal , Bramble Matthew S , Ilunga-Kebela Benoit , Okitolonda-Wemakoy Emile , Muyembe-Tamfum Jean Jacques , Rimoin Anne W
Published: December 2020

Background

Health care workers (HCW) are more likely to be exposed to Ebola virus (EBOV) during an outbreak compared to people in the general population due to close physical contact with patients and potential exposure to infectious fluids. However, not all will fall ill. Despite evidence of subclinical and paucisymptomatic Ebola virus disease (EVD), prevalence and associated risk factors remain unknown.

Methods

We conducted a serosurvey among HCW in Boende, Tshuapa Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Human anti-EBOV glycoprotein IgG titers were measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. We assessed associations between anti-EBOV IgG seroreactivity, defined as ≥2.5 units/mL, and risk factors using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Sensitivity analyses explored a more conservative cutoff, >5 units/mL.

Results

Overall, 22.5% of HCWs were seroreactive for EBOV. In multivariable analyses, using any form of personal protective equipment when interacting with a confirmed, probable, or suspect EVD case was negatively associated with seroreactivity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, .07–.73).

Discussion

Our results suggest high exposure to EBOV among HCWs and provide additional evidence for asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic EVD. Further studies should be conducted to determine the probability of onward transmission and if seroreactivity is associated with immunity.
High percentage of the ceftriaxone-resistantNeisseria gonorrhoeaeFC428 clone among isolates from a single hospital in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Yan Jing , Chen Yan , Yang Fan , Ling Xia , Jiang Shengnan , Zhao Feng , Yu Yunsong , van der Veen Stijn
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Ceftriaxone is currently the last-remaining empirical antimicrobial therapy for treatment of gonorrhoea. However, the high-level ceftriaxone-resistant gonococcal FC428 clone has shown transmission in China in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse ceftriaxone resistance among a collection of recent clinical isolates, with a specific focus on prevalence of the FC428 clone.

Methods

A total of 70 consecutive gonococcal isolates were collected between May and October 2019 from a single hospital in Hangzhou, China, and analysed for antimicrobial susceptibility by the agar dilution method. STs were determined by PCR and sequences and isolates related to the FC428 clone were further characterized by WGS and phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Ceftriaxone resistance (MIC >0.125 mg/L) was observed in 21 (30%) isolates, while 14 (20%) isolates displayed a ceftriaxone MIC of 0.125 mg/L. Importantly, seven (10%) isolates were related to the gonococcal FC428 clone based on the presence of mosaic penA allele 60.001, displaying identical or closely related STs, and phylogenetic analysis after WGS. These seven isolates displayed high-level ceftriaxone resistance (MIC = 1 mg/L) and all associated gonorrhoea cases resulted in treatment failure because oral cephalosporins were initially prescribed. Subsequent re-treatment with a higher dose (2 g) of IV ceftriaxone appeared to be successful because all patients returning for test-of-cure became culture-negative.

Conclusions

Here, we report a high percentage of the internationally spreading gonococcal FC428 clone among clinical isolates from a single hospital in Hangzhou, China. A high dose of ceftriaxone is currently the only recommended and effective therapy.
Numerical simulation of flattened heat pipe with double heat sources for CPU and GPU cooling application in laptop computers
Authors: Sanhan Wisoot , Vafai Kambiz , Kammuang-Lue Niti , Terdtoon Pradit , Sakulchangsatjatai Phrut
Published: December 2020

An investigation of the effect of the thermal performance of the flattened heat pipe on its double heat sources acting as central processing unit and graphics processing unit in laptop computers is presented in this work. A finite element method is used for predicting the flattening effect of the heat pipe. The cylindrical heat pipe with a diameter of 6 mm and the total length of 200 mm is flattened into three final thicknesses of 2, 3, and 4 mm. The heat pipe is placed under a horizontal configuration and heated with heater 1 and heater 2, 40 W in combination. The numerical model shows good agreement compared with the experimental data with the standard deviation of 1.85%. The results also show that flattening the cylindrical heat pipe to 66.7 and 41.7% of its original diameter could reduce its normalized thermal resistance by 5.2%. The optimized final thickness or the best design final thickness for the heat pipe is found to be 2.5 mm.
Decreased dengue transmission in migrant worker populations in Singapore attributable to SARS-CoV-2 quarantine measures
Authors: Lim Jue Tao , Dickens Borame Lee , Ong Janet , Aik Joel , Lee Vernon J , Cook Alex R , Ng Lee Ching
Published: December 2020

Background

We examined the impact of SARS-CoV-2 social distancing and quarantine policies on dengue transmission in the general and migrant worker populations in Singapore.

Methods

We utilized all nationally reported dengue cases in the general and migrant worker populations from 1 January 2013 to 31 May 2020. A difference-in-difference identification strategy was used to determine the effects of social distancing and quarantine policies on reported dengue case counts over time, whilst controlling for weather patterns, seasonality, age and population size.

Results

A reduction of 4.8 dengue cases per age band among migrant workers was attributable to quarantine policies, corresponding to a total reduction of around 432 reported dengue cases over 10 weeks. In the general working population, an increase of 14.5 dengue cases per age band was observed, which corresponds to a total increase of around 1450 reported dengue cases in the same time period. There is an expected relative risk reduction in dengue transmission for the migrant worker population at 0.635 due to quarantine policy and a relative risk increase for the general working population due to social distancing policies at 0.685.

Conclusions

Migrant workers experienced a reduced risk of dengue when they were confined to their dormitories as part of the COVID-19 social distancing measures. Our study highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers under normal working conditions.
MAPK11 regulates seed germination and ABA signaling in tomato by phosphorylating SnRKs
Authors: Song Jianwen , Shang Lele , Wang Xin , Xing Yali , Xu Wei , Zhang Yuyang , Wang Taotao , Li Hanxia , Zhang Junhong , Ye Zhibiao
Published: December 2020

Seed germination is a critical stage in the plant life cycle and it plays an important role in the efficiency of agricultural production. However, our knowledge of the mechanisms that regulate seed germination remains limited. In this study, we identified a novel gene, MAPK11, that encodes mitogen-activated protein kinase 11; its expression was significantly higher in seeds of tomato varieties with a low optimum germination temperature than in those with a high optimum germination temperature. In tests at 25 °C, overexpression of MAPK11 in an accession with optimum germination at 25 °C resulted in a decrease in germination, whereas RNAi of MAPK11 in an accession with optimum germination at 15 °C resulted in increased germination. Furthermore, we found that lines overexpressing MAPK11 exhibited hypersensitivity to ABA during germination. These observations were at least partially explained by the fact that MAPK11 up-regulated both NCED1 expression and ABA biosynthesis, and that it also affected ABA signaling and negatively regulated germination by influencing the phosphorylation of SnRK2.2 in vivo. In addition, we found that MAPK11 interacts with and phosphorylates SnRK1 in vivo, thereby potentially inhibiting its activation. SnRK1 interacted with ABI5 and suppressed the transcription of ABI5, thereby affecting ABA signaling and the regulation of germination. Our results demonstrate that ABA signaling in tomato is affected by a mechanism that depends on MAPK11 phosphorylating SnRKs, and this ultimately influences seed germination.
WUSCHEL in the shoot apical meristem: old player, new tricks
Authors: Lopes Filipa Lara , Galvan-Ampudia Carlos , Landrein Benoit
Published: December 2020

The maintenance of the stem cell niche in the shoot apical meristem, the structure that generates all of the aerial organs of the plant, relies on a canonical feedback loop between WUSCHEL (WUS) and CLAVATA3 (CLV3). WUS is a homeodomain transcription factor expressed in the organizing centre that moves to the central zone to promote stem cell fate. CLV3 is a peptide whose expression is induced by WUS in the central zone and that can move back to the organizing centre to inhibit WUS expression. Within the past 20 years since the initial formulation of the CLV–WUS feedback loop, the mechanisms of stem cell maintenance have been intensively studied and the function of WUS has been redefined. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances in our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms of WUS function, of its interaction with other transcription factors and hormonal signals, and of its connection to environmental signals. Through this, we will show how WUS can integrate both internal and external cues to adapt meristem function to the plant environment.
Informal Caregivers along the Work–Eldercare Axis: A Comparative Analysis of Australia, England, and Israel
Authors: Vinarski-Peretz Hedva , Halperin Dafna
Published: December 2020

Contemporary Western societies face an increasing demand for informal care. The primary goals of the present article are to understand the degree to which employment rights support the needs of working carers’ of elder age relatives and to underscore the need to promote social policies to better secure both working carers and their older relatives. Drawing on findings showing that high-intensity caregiving is associated with a reduction in the labour pool for paid work and negatively affects employment status and career, this study examines how employment legislation support working caregivers from an international perspective. The study utilizes an intrinsic and case study research design to compare the employment rights and entitlements in Australia, England, and Israel. The findings indicate that, first, all three countries surveyed provide basic protection through statutory employment rights which are categorized under three fundamental occupational entitlements: Paid or Unpaid Leave, Sick Days and Equal Rights. Secondly, while Australia and England maintain a legal right to request flexible work to care for elder relatives, the analysis foregrounds the absence of flexible employment legislation in Israel. Thought that the aim of balancing limited public resources with family resources requires a broad understanding of concrete legislation, such comparison can inform policy targeted to reconcile distress along the work–eldercare axis.
Contribution of stripped nuclei to the ultracompact dwarf galaxy population in the Virgo cluster
Authors: Mayes Rebecca J , Drinkwater Michael J , Pfeffer Joel , Baumgardt Holger , Liu Chengze , Ferrarese Laura , Côté Patrick , Peng Eric W
Published: December 2020

We use the hydrodynamical EAGLE simulation to predict the numbers, masses, and radial distributions of tidally stripped galaxy nuclei in massive galaxy clusters, and compare these results to observations of ultracompact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) in the Virgo cluster. We trace the merger trees of galaxies in massive galaxy clusters back in time and determine the numbers and masses of stripped nuclei from galaxies disrupted in mergers. The spatial distribution of stripped nuclei in the simulations is consistent with those of UCDs surrounding massive galaxies in the Virgo cluster. Additionally, the numbers of stripped nuclei are consistent with the numbers of M > 107 M⊙ UCDs around individual galaxies and in the Virgo cluster as a whole. The mass distributions in this mass range are also consistent. We find that the numbers of stripped nuclei surrounding individual galaxies correlate better with the stellar or halo mass of individual galaxies than the total cluster mass. We conclude that most high mass (M > 107 M⊙) UCDs are likely stripped nuclei. It is difficult to draw reliable conclusions about low mass (M < 107 M⊙) UCDs because of observational selection effects. We additionally predict that a few hundred stripped nuclei below a mass of 2 × 106 M⊙ should exist in massive galaxies that will overlap in mass with the globular cluster population. Approximately 1–3 stripped nuclei in the process of forming also exist per massive galaxy.
A high-throughput screening method for evolving a demethylase enzyme with improved and new functionalities
Authors: Wang Yuru , Katanski Christopher D , Watkins Christopher , Pan Jessica N , Dai Qing , Jiang Zhuoxun , Pan Tao
Published: December 2020

AlkB is a DNA/RNA repair enzyme that removes base alkylations such as N1-methyladenosine (m1A) or N3-methylcytosine (m3C) from DNA and RNA. The AlkB enzyme has been used as a critical tool to facilitate tRNA sequencing and identification of mRNA modifications. As a tool, AlkB mutants with better reactivity and new functionalities are highly desired; however, previous identification of such AlkB mutants was based on the classical approach of targeted mutagenesis. Here, we introduce a high-throughput screening method to evaluate libraries of AlkB variants for demethylation activity on RNA and DNA substrates. This method is based on a fluorogenic RNA aptamer with an internal modified RNA/DNA residue which can block reverse transcription or introduce mutations leading to loss of fluorescence inherent in the cDNA product. Demethylation by an AlkB variant eliminates the blockage or mutation thereby restores the fluorescence signals. We applied our screening method to sites D135 and R210 in the Escherichia coli AlkB protein and identified a variant with improved activity beyond a previously known hyperactive mutant toward N1-methylguanosine (m1G) in RNA. We also applied our method to O6-methylguanosine (O6mG) modified DNA substrates and identified candidate AlkB variants with demethylating activity. Our study provides a high-throughput screening method for in vitro evolution of any demethylase enzyme.
Making radiation therapy more effective in the era of precision medicine
Authors: Peng Xingchen , Wei Zhigong , Gerweck Leo E
Published: December 2020

Cancer has become a leading cause of death and constitutes an enormous burden worldwide. Radiation is a principle treatment modality used alone or in combination with other forms of therapy, with 50%–70% of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy at some point during their illness. It has been suggested that traditional radiotherapy (daily fractions of approximately 1.8–2 Gy over several weeks) might select for radioresistant tumor cell sub-populations, which, if not sterilized, give rise to local treatment failure and distant metastases. Thus, the challenge is to develop treatment strategies and schedules to eradicate the resistant subpopulation of tumorigenic cells rather than the predominant sensitive tumor cell population. With continued technological advances including enhanced conformal treatment technology, radiation oncologists can increasingly maximize the dose to tumors while sparing adjacent normal tissues, to limit toxicity and damage to the latter. Increased dose conformality also facilitates changes in treatment schedules, such as changes in dose per treatment fraction and number of treatment fractions, to enhance the therapeutic ratio. For example, the recently developed large dose per fraction treatment schedules (hypofractionation) have shown clinical advantage over conventional treatment schedules in some tumor types. Experimental studies suggest that following large acute doses of radiation, recurrent tumors, presumably sustained by the most resistant tumor cell populations, may in fact be equally or more radiation sensitive than the primary tumor. In this review, we summarize the related advances in radiotherapy, including the increasing understanding of the molecular mechanisms of radioresistance, and the targeting of these mechanisms with potent small molecule inhibitors, which may selectively sensitize tumor cells to radiation.
Increased number of cases of giant cell arteritis and higher rates of ophthalmic involvement during the era of COVID-19
Authors: Luther Rosamond , Skeoch Sarah , Pauling John D , Curd Christopher , Woodgate Felicity , Tansley Sarah
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Our centre offers a fast-track assessment service for patients with suspected GCA and this service continued to operate during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. During and immediately following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK we observed an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with GCA as well as an increased number of patients with visual complications. Our aim was to investigate this further.

Methods

The electronic medical records of all patients referred for GCA fast-track assessment from January 2019 were reviewed. A complete list of patients undergoing temporal artery ultrasound and temporal artery biopsy for investigation of GCA dating back to 2015 was also available.

Results

In the 12 week period between April and June 2020, 24 patients were diagnosed with GCA. Six (25%) had associated visual impairment. In contrast, during 2019, 28 new diagnoses of GCA were made in total and just 10% of patients suffered visual involvement. The number of patients diagnosed with GCA in April–June 2020 was nearly 5-fold that of the same time period the previous year. GCA diagnoses between April and June 2020 were supported by imaging (temporal artery ultrasound or CT-PET) in 72% of cases. We noted a higher proportion of male patients and a lower median age but no clear difference in the duration of symptoms prior to assessment.

Conclusions

The reasons behind our observations remain unclear. However, our findings support the viral aetiopathogenesis hypothesis for GCA and demonstrate the importance of maintaining access to urgent rheumatology services during periods of healthcare disruption.
The promises and premises of mission-oriented innovation policy—A reflection and ways forward
Authors: Janssen Matthijs J , Torrens Jonas , Wesseling Joeri H , Wanzenböck Iris
Published: December 2020

Missions may be regarded as a narrative for challenge-oriented policies, as a rationale for directional policies, and as an instrument for coordinating distributed innovation efforts. While the attention for mission-oriented innovation policy is rising, there are still many questions regarding both the governance and the conduct of missions as well as the (adverse) effects they might have on innovation and societal challenges. This research perspective reflects on what missions are, what they can do and potentially engender, and how they can be studied empirically. Rather than a static, predetermined, and closed-off instrument, we contend that missions are best understood as continuously interacting with the structures and interests of governments, markets, and society, aligning (1) problem-based governance targeting societal challenges and (2) innovation governance targeting novelty creation and deployment. This characterisation of missions, as embedded and evolving, advances empirical questions that could guide research into unexplored directions.
The doctrine of reverse piercing of corporate veil: its applicability in India
Authors: Singh Vijay P
Published: December 2020

Separate legal personality, independent from its member, is a peculiar characteristic of a corporation. Because of this characteristic, members and shareholders enjoy limited liability and get financial protection. However, the principle of separate legal entity is sometimes used or misused by the members of the corporations to escape their liabilities. Thus, in order to fix their liabilities and dispense justice, the court propounded the rule of ‘Lifting the Corporate Veil.’ With time, a new doctrine emerged in the USA. This new doctrine is known as the ‘Doctrine of Reverse Piercing of the Corporate Veil.’ The doctrine, though recognised by the courts in the USA, is not recognised in several jurisdictions, including India. The present article analyses the concept and relevance of this doctrine under the current economic developments in India. Further, the article discusses recent legal developments to illustrate that ‘reverse piercing’ is already in effect in India, and provide suggestions to make the doctrine of ‘reverse piercing’ more productive and proactive.