bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A locally anisotropic regularity criterion for the Navier–Stokes equation in terms of vorticity
Authors: Miller Evan
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we will prove a regularity criterion that guarantees solutions of the Navier–Stokes equation must remain smooth so long as the vorticity restricted to a plane remains bounded in the scale critical space

L
t
4

L
x
2

L^4_t L^2_x

, where the plane may vary in space and time as long as the gradient of the unit vector orthogonal to the plane remains bounded. This extends previous work by Chae and Choe that guaranteed that solutions of the Navier–Stokes equation must remain smooth as long as the vorticity restricted to a fixed plane remains bounded in a family of scale critical spaces. This regularity criterion also can be seen as interpolating between Chae and Choe’s regularity criterion in terms of two vorticity components and Beirão da Veiga and Berselli’s regularity criterion in terms of the gradient of vorticity direction. In physical terms, this regularity criterion is consistent with key aspects of the Kolmogorov theory of turbulence, because it requires that finite-time blowup for solutions of the Navier–Stokes equation must be fully three dimensional at all length scales.
Factors associated with initiation of bone-health medication among older adults in primary care in Ireland
Authors: Walsh Mary E , Nerdrum Mari , Fahey Tom , Moriarty Frank
Published: February 2021

Background

Adults at high risk of fragility fracture should be offered pharmacological treatment when not contraindicated, however, under-treatment is common.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with bone-health medication initiation in older patients attending primary care.

Design

This was a retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The study used data from forty-four general practices in Ireland from 2011–2017.

Subjects

The study included adults aged ≥ 65 years who were naïve to bone-health medication for 12 months.

Methods

Overall fracture-risk (based on QFracture) and individual fracture-risk factors were described for patients initiated and not initiated onto medication and compared using generalised linear model regression with the Poisson distribution.

Results

Of 36,799 patients (51% female, mean age 75.4 (SD = 8.4)) included, 8% (n = 2,992) were observed to initiate bone-health medication during the study. One-fifth of all patients (n = 8,193) had osteoporosis or had high fracture-risk but only 21% of them (n = 1,687) initiated on medication. Female sex, older age, state-funded health cover and osteoporosis were associated with initiation. Independently of osteoporosis and co-variates, high 5-year QFracture risk for hip (IRR = 1.33 (95% CI = 1.17–1.50), P < 0.01) and all fractures (IRR = 1.30 (95% CI = 1.17–1.44), P < 0.01) were associated with medication initiation. Previous fracture, rheumatoid arthritis and corticosteroid use were associated with initiation, while liver, kidney, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy showed an inverse association.

Conclusions

Bone-health medication initiation is targeted at patients at higher fracture-risk but much potential under-treatment remains, particularly in those >80 years and with co-morbidities. This may reflect clinical uncertainty in older multimorbid patients, and further research should explore decision-making in preventive bone medication prescribing.
Early-Life Socioeconomic Position and the Accumulation of Health-Related Deficits by Midlife in the 1958 British Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Rogers Nina T , Blodgett Joanna M , Searle Samuel D , Cooper Rachel , Davis Daniel H J , Pinto Pereira Snehal M
Published: February 2021

Reducing population levels of frailty is an important goal, and preventing its development in midadulthood could be pivotal. There is limited evidence on associations between childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) and frailty. Using data on the 1958 British birth cohort (followed from 1958 to 2016; n = 8,711), we aimed to 1) establish the utility of measuring frailty in midlife, by examining associations between a 34-item frailty index at age 50 years (FI50y) and mortality at ages 50–58 years, and 2) examine associations between early-life SEP and FI50y and investigate whether these associations were explained by adult SEP. Hazard ratios for mortality increased with increasing frailty; for example, the sex-adjusted hazard ratio for the highest quintile of FI50y versus the lowest was 4.07 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.64, 6.25). Lower early-life SEP was associated with higher FI50y. Compared with participants born in the highest social class, the estimated total effect on FI50y was 42.0% (95% CI: 35.5, 48.4) for participants born in the lowest class, with the proportion mediated by adult SEP being 0.45% (95% CI: 0.35, 0.55). Mediation by adult SEP was negligible for other early-life SEP classes. Findings suggest that early-life SEP is associated with frailty and that adult SEP only partially explains this association. Results highlight the importance of improving socioeconomic circumstances across the life course to reduce inequalities in midlife frailty.
Unspeakable Conventionality: The Perversity of the Kindle
Authors: McGurl Mark
Published: February 2021

What has the rise of Amazon meant for the novel? This essay argues that in shifting the scene of innovation from the novel’s form to the ways and means of its distribution, the company has redefined authorship as the entrepreneurial provision of good service to readers and reading itself as a repeatable experience of erotic self-care. Conceived in this way, all fiction is “genre fiction,” including so-called literary fiction, which for Amazon is simply one modality of the perverse pursuit of customer satisfaction among others. As an occasion for felicitous repetition, genre fiction takes the lead in defining the situation of the novel now, suggesting a new set of emphases in the critical analysis of the contemporary literary field.
Parallel computing for genome sequence processing
Authors: Zou You , Zhu Yuejie , Li Yaohang , Wu Fang-Xiang , Wang Jianxin
Published: February 2021

The rapid increase of genome data brought by gene sequencing technologies poses a massive challenge to data processing. To solve the problems caused by enormous data and complex computing requirements, researchers have proposed many methods and tools which can be divided into three types: big data storage, efficient algorithm design and parallel computing. The purpose of this review is to investigate popular parallel programming technologies for genome sequence processing. Three common parallel computing models are introduced according to their hardware architectures, and each of which is classified into two or three types and is further analyzed with their features. Then, the parallel computing for genome sequence processing is discussed with four common applications: genome sequence alignment, single nucleotide polymorphism calling, genome sequence preprocessing, and pattern detection and searching. For each kind of application, its background is firstly introduced, and then a list of tools or algorithms are summarized in the aspects of principle, hardware platform and computing efficiency. The programming model of each hardware and application provides a reference for researchers to choose high-performance computing tools. Finally, we discuss the limitations and future trends of parallel computing technologies.
Living well with kidney disease by patient and care partner empowerment: kidney health for everyone everywhere
Authors: Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Li Philip Kam-Tao , Tantisattamo Ekamol , Kumaraswami Latha , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Lui Siu-Fai , Ulasi Ifeoma , Andreoli Sharon , Balducci Alessandro , Dupuis Sophie , Harris Tess , Hradsky Anne , Knight Richard , Kumar Sajay , Ng Maggie , Poidevin Alice , Saadi Gamal , Tong Allison ,   for the World Kidney Day Steering Committee, Li Philip Kam-Tao , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Andreoli Sharon , Balducci Alessandro , Dupuis Sophie , Kumaraswami Latha , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Lui Siu-Fai , Saadi Gamal , Ulasi Ifeoma
Published: February 2021

Living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with hardships for patients and their care partners. Empowering patients and their care partners, including family members or friends involved in their care, may help minimize the burden and consequences of CKD-related symptoms to enable life participation. There is a need to broaden the focus on living well with kidney disease and re-engagement in life, including an emphasis on patients being in control. The World Kidney Day (WKD) Joint Steering Committee has declared 2021 the year of ‘Living Well with Kidney Disease’ in an effort to increase education and awareness on the important goal of patient empowerment and life participation. This calls for the development and implementation of validated patient-reported outcome measures to assess and address areas of life participation in routine care. It could be supported by regulatory agencies as a metric for quality care or to support labeling claims for medicines and devices. Funding agencies could establish targeted calls for research that address the priorities of patients. Patients with kidney disease and their care partners should feel supported to live well through concerted efforts by kidney care communities including during pandemics. In the overall wellness program for kidney disease patients, the need for prevention should be reiterated. Early detection with a prolonged course of wellness despite kidney disease, after effective secondary and tertiary prevention programs, should be promoted. WKD 2021 continues to call for increased awareness of the importance of preventive measures throughout populations, professionals and policymakers, applicable to both developed and developing countries.
Intraoperative surgical strategy changes in patients with chronic and end-stage renal disease undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Rosenfeld Ethan S , Trachiotis Gregory D , Sparks Andrew D , Napolitano Michael A , Lee K. Benjamin , Wendt Daniel , Kieser Teresa M , Puskas John D , DiGiammarco Gabriele , Taggart David P
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES

Factors such as more diffuse atherosclerosis, plaque instability and accelerated vascular calcification in patients with chronic and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can potentially present intraoperative challenges in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. We evaluated whether patients with chronic and ESRD experienced more surgical strategy changes and/or graft revisions than patients with normal renal function when undergoing CABG procedures according to a protocol for intraoperative high-frequency ultrasound and transit-time flow measurement (TTFM).

METHODS

Outcomes of CABG for patients with chronic and ESRD and patients with normal renal function enrolled in the multicentre prospective REQUEST (REgistry for QUality assESsmenT with Ultrasound Imaging and TTFM in Cardiac Bypass Surgery) study were compared retrospectively. The primary end point was frequency of intraoperative surgical strategy changes. The secondary end point was post-protamine TTFM parameters.

RESULTS

There were 95 patients with chronic and ESRD and 921 patients with normal renal function. Patients with chronic and ESRD undergoing CABG according to a protocol for intraoperative high-frequency ultrasound and TTFM had a higher rate of strategy changes overall [33.7% vs 24.3%; odds ratio (OR) = 1.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–2.48; P = 0.047] and greater revisions per graft (7.0% vs 3.4%; odds ratio = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.17–3.71; P = 0.008) compared to patients with normal renal function. Final post-protamine graft TTFM parameters were comparable between cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic and ESRD undergoing CABG procedures with high-frequency ultrasound and TTFM experience more surgical strategy changes than patients with normal renal function while achieving comparable graft flow.

Clinical trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02385344
Are missed appointments in an outpatient clinic for adults with congenital heart disease the harbinger for care gaps?
Authors: Goossens Eva , van Deyk Kristien , Budts Werner , Moons Philip
Published: February 2021

Aims

Life-long follow-up is vital for patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) to safeguard longevity. Missing scheduled appointments might be prodromal to subsequent care gaps, but our understanding of their occurrence and impact is limited. This study determined the occurrence and predictors of missed appointments (MA), assess its predictive value for care gaps, and explored if MA or care gaps are associated with increased mortality.

Methods and results

From 2007 to 2009, the occurrence of MA in 2075 CHD patients was documented at an adult CHD clinic. The frequency of outpatient visits in 1363 adults with moderate to complex CHD was calculated from 2009 to 2012. Patients without a visit were considered to have a care gap. Data on mortality were collected from 2013 to 2017. Missed appointments occurred in 11% of patients and were more common in men [odds ratio (OR) = 1.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–2.08], without a history of cardiac procedures (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.08–1.97), and for morning visits (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.10–1.92). Care gaps were identified in 6% of moderate to complex CHD. A MA was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of care gaps (OR = 19.55; 95% CI: 11.92–32.07; R2 = 26.5%). In moderate to complex CHD, no difference in mortality rates was related to the occurrence of discontinued care.

Conclusion

The occurrence of MA was related to patients’ gender, no history of cardiac interventions, and time of day of the outpatient visits. Care gaps were associated by the preceding MA. No association with increased mortality rates was observed. Interventions reducing missed appointments, such as SMS-reminders prior to visits, need investigation.
Reasons for the relocation of contracted family physicians and job satisfaction
Authors: Karayurek Yusuf , Demirci Hakan
Published: February 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the reasons for the relocation of contracted family physicians and the relationship of this situation with burnout and job satisfaction status.

Methods

This study was conducted with contracted family physicians in Bursa province between May 2019 and December 2019. The physicians were visited in the family health centres where they worked. The participants were asked to fill out a socio-demographic data form, Maslach Burnout Inventory Scale and Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. In addition, physicians who had relocated were asked to fill out a questionnaire examining the reasons for this change.

Results

The most common reasons for the relocation of physicians were distance from home (65.30%), novelty seeking (25.60%) and burnout (24.80%). Being female (P = 0.004), duration of medical experience (P < 0.001), shorter time passed in family practice (P = 0.043) and job dissatisfaction (P = 0.006) were risk factors for relocation in a regression analysis model. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a cut-off point value for the Minnesota overall score as ≤3.

Conclusions

In family practice, it is favourable to provide continuity of care to the patient with the same physician. However, migration of physicians within the province for social and cultural reasons to more prosperous regions, often to where they live, was observed. Young female family doctors will probably continue to migrate to better locations within the city regardless of payment advantages in poor settlements. The roles of female physicians in society (as mother, wife and daughter) may have an effect on this preference.
Co-infecting pathogen lineages have additive effects on host bacterial communities
Authors: Medina Daniel , Greenspan Sasha E , Carvalho Tamilie , Becker C Guilherme , Toledo Luís Felipe
Published: February 2021

Amphibian skin bacteria may confer protection against the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), but responses of skin bacteria to different Bd lineages are poorly understood. The global panzootic lineage (Bd-GPL) has caused amphibian declines and extinctions globally. However, other lineages are enzootic (Bd-Asia-2/Brazil). Increased contact rates between Bd-GPL and enzootic lineages via globalization pose unknown consequences for host-microbiome-pathogen dynamics. We conducted a laboratory experiment and used 16S rRNA amplicon-sequencing to assess: (i) whether two lineages (Bd-Asia-2/Brazil and Bd-GPL) and their recombinant, in single and mixed infections, differentially affect amphibian skin bacteria; (ii) and the changes associated with the transition to laboratory conditions. We determined no clear differences in bacterial diversity among Bd treatments, despite differences in infection intensity. However, we observed an additive effect of mixed infections on bacterial alpha diversity and a potentially antagonistic interaction between Bd genotypes. Additionally, observed changes in community composition suggest a higher ability of Bd-GPL to alter skin bacteria. Lastly, we observed a drastic reduction in bacterial diversity and a change in community structure in laboratory conditions. We provide evidence for complex interactions between Bd genotypes and amphibian skin bacteria during coinfections, and expand on the implications of experimental conditions in ecological studies.
Loss of nuclear UBE3A activity is the predominant cause of Angelman syndrome in individuals carrying UBE3A missense mutations
Authors: Bossuyt Stijn N V , Punt A Mattijs , de Graaf Ilona J , van den Burg Janny , Williams Mark G , Heussler Helen , Elgersma Ype , Distel Ben
Published: February 2021

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletion (~75%) or mutation (~10%) of the ubiquitin E3 ligase A (UBE3A) gene, which encodes a HECT type E3 ubiquitin protein ligase. Although the critical substrates of UBE3A are unknown, previous studies have suggested a critical role of nuclear UBE3A in AS pathophysiology. Here, we investigated to what extent UBE3A missense mutations disrupt UBE3A subcellular localization as well as catalytic activity, stability and protein folding. Our functional screen of 31 UBE3A missense mutants revealed that UBE3A mislocalization is the predominant cause of UBE3A dysfunction, accounting for 55% of the UBE3A mutations tested. The second major cause (29%) is a loss of E3-ubiquitin ligase activity, as assessed in an Escherichia coli in vivo ubiquitination assay. Mutations affecting catalytic activity are found not only in the catalytic HECT domain, but also in the N-terminal half of UBE3A, suggesting an important contribution of this N-terminal region to its catalytic potential. Together, our results show that loss of nuclear UBE3A E3 ligase activity is the predominant cause of UBE3A-linked AS. Moreover, our functional analysis screen allows rapid assessment of the pathogenicity of novel UBE3A missense variants which will be of particular importance when treatments for AS become available.
Outcome of the frozen elephant trunk procedure as a redo operation
Authors: Demal Till Joscha , Bax Lennart , Brickwedel Jens , Kölbel Tilo , Vettorazzi Eik , Sitzmann Franziska , Reichenspurner Hermann , Detter Christian
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the outcome of patients undergoing an elective frozen elephant trunk (FET) procedure as a redo operation following previous cardiac surgery.

METHODS

One hundred and eighteen consecutive patients underwent FET procedures between October 2010 and October 2019 at our centre. Patients were registered in a dedicated database and analysed retrospectively. Clinical and follow-up characteristics were compared between patients undergoing a FET operation as a primary (primary group) or a redo procedure (redo group) using logistic regression and Cox regression analysis. Emergency procedures (n = 33) were excluded from the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 36.5% (n = 31) of the FET procedures were redo operations (redo group) and 63.5% (n = 54) of the patients underwent primary surgery (primary group). There was no significant difference in the 30-day mortality [primary group: 7.4%; redo group: 3.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.19–35.29); P = 0.63] and the 3-year mortality [primary group: 22.2%; redo group: 16.7%; 95% CI (0.23–3.23); P = 0.72] between redo and primary cases. Furthermore, the adjusted statistical analysis did not reveal significant differences between the groups in the occurrence of transient or permanent neurological deficit, paraplegia, acute renal failure and resternotomy. The redo group showed a higher rate of recurrent nerve palsy, which did not reach statistical significance [primary group: 3.7% (n = 2); redo group: 19.4% (n = 6); P = 0.091].

CONCLUSIONS

Elective FET procedures as redo operations performed by a dedicated aortic team following previous cardiac surgery demonstrate an adequate safety profile.
Factors influencing length of intensive care unit stay following a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt
Authors: Kido Takashi , Ono Masamichi , Anderl Lisa , Burri Melchior , Strbad Martina , Balling Gunter , Cleuziou Julie , Hager Alfred , Ewert Peter , Hörer Jürgen
Published: February 2021

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to identify the risk factors for prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) after a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt (BCPS) procedure and its impact on the number of deaths.

METHODS

In total, 556 patients who underwent BCPS between January 1998 and December 2019 were included in the study.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients died while in the ICU, and 35 died after discharge from the ICU. Reduced ventricular function was significantly associated with death during the ICU stay (P = 0.002). In patients who were discharged alive from the ICU, LOS in the ICU [hazard ratio (HR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.06; P < 0.001] and a dominant right ventricle (HR 2.41, 95% CI 1.03–6.63; P = 0.04) were independent risk factors for death. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a cut-off value for length of ICU stay of 19 days. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.05; P = 0.04) was a significant risk factor for a prolonged ICU stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged LOS in the ICU with a cut-off value of 19 days after BCPS was a significant risk factor for mortality. High pulmonary artery pressure at BCPS was a significant risk factor for a prolonged ICU stay.
ESBL-producing strains isolated from imported cases of enteric fever in England and Wales reveal multiple chromosomal integrations of blaCTX-M-15 in XDR Salmonella Typhi
Authors: Nair Satheesh , Chattaway Marie , Langridge Gemma C , Gentle Amy , Day Martin , Ainsworth Emma V , Mohamed Iman , Smith Robert , Jenkins Claire , Dallman Timothy J , Godbole Gauri
Published: February 2021

Background

There are approximately 300 cases of enteric fever reported annually from England and Wales; most are imported infections. Clinical management of enteric fever remains a challenge with the emergence of ESBL-producing strains, especially XDR Salmonella Typhi from Sindh, Pakistan.

Methods

All strains of S. Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A isolated from cases presenting with symptoms of enteric fever in England and Wales, between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2020, were characterized using WGS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using an agar dilution method.

Results

ESBL strains contributed to 69 cases of enteric fever (S. Typhi n = 68, S. Paratyphi A n = 1); 68 were imported (Pakistan n = 64, Iraq n = 2, Bangladesh n = 1 and India n = 1). Ages ranged from 1 to 56 years, 36/69 (52%) were children, 52% were female and the duration of hospital stay ranged from 1 to 23 days. The ESBL phenotype was conferred by the presence of blaCTX-M-15 (S. Typhi n = 67 and S. Paratyphi A n = 1) or blaCTX-M-55 (S. Typhi n = 1). An IncY plasmid harbouring blaCTX-M-15 and qnr was detected in 56 strains from Pakistan. The IncY plasmid was absent in the remaining strains and there was evidence of a 4 kb ISEcpl-blaCTX-M-15-tnp gene cassette insertion into the chromosome at one of three integration points.

Conclusions

Chromosomal integration of blaCTX-M-15 within the XDR Sindh strains may lead to the maintenance of resistance in the absence of antibiotic selection pressure. Empirical treatment of cases of complicated enteric fever returning from Pakistan will henceforth have to include a carbapenem.
Phenotypic and genetic barriers to establishment of horizontally transferred genes encoding ribosomal protection proteins
Authors: Yadav Kavita , Garoff Linnéa , Huseby Douglas L , Hughes Diarmaid
Published: February 2021

Background

Ribosomal protection proteins (RPPs) interact with bacterial ribosomes to prevent inhibition of protein synthesis by tetracycline. RPP genes have evolved from a common ancestor into at least 12 distinct classes and spread by horizontal genetic transfer into a wide range of bacteria. Many bacterial genera host RPP genes from multiple classes but tet(M) is the predominant RPP gene found in Escherichia coli.

Objectives

We asked whether phenotypic barriers (low-level resistance, high fitness cost) might constrain the fixation of other RPP genes in E. coli.

Methods

We expressed a diverse set of six different RPP genes in E. coli, including tet(M), and quantified tetracycline susceptibility and growth phenotypes as a function of expression level, and evolvability to overcome identified phenotypic barriers.

Results

The genes tet(M) and tet(Q) conferred high-level tetracycline resistance without reducing fitness; tet(O) and tet(W) conferred high-level resistance but significantly reduced growth fitness; tetB(P) conferred low-level resistance and while mutants conferring high-level resistance were selectable these had reduced growth fitness; otr(A) did not confer resistance and resistant mutants could not be selected. Evolution experiments suggested that codon usage patterns in tet(O) and tet(W), and transcriptional silencing associated with nucleotide composition in tetB(P), accounted for the observed phenotypic barriers.

Conclusions

With the exception of tet(Q), the data reveal significant phenotypic and genetic barriers to the fixation of additional RPP genes in E. coli.
Peritraumatic Vitamin D Levels Predict Chronic Pain Severity and Contribute to Racial Differences in Pain Outcomes Following Major Thermal Burn Injury
Authors: Mauck Matthew C , Barton Chloe E , Tungate Andrew , Shupp Jeffrey W , Karlnoski Rachel , Smith David J , Williams Felicia N , Jones Samuel W , McGrath Kyle V , Cairns Bruce A , McLean Samuel A
Published: February 2021

Major thermal burn injuries result in approximately 40,000 hospitalizations in the United States each year. Chronic pain affects up to 60% of burn survivors, and Black Americans have worse chronic pain outcomes than White Americans. Mechanisms of chronic pain pathogenesis after burn injury, and accounting for these racial differences, remain poorly understood. Due to socioeconomic disadvantage and differences in skin absorption, Black Americans have an increased prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency. We hypothesized that peritraumatic Vitamin D levels predict chronic pain outcomes after burn injury and contribute to racial differences in pain outcomes. Among burn survivors (n = 77, 52% White, 48% Black, 77% male), peritraumatic Vitamin D levels were more likely to be deficient in Blacks vs Whites (27/37 [73%] vs 14/40 [35%], P < .001). Peritraumatic Vitamin D levels were inversely associated with chronic post-burn pain outcomes across all burn injury survivors, including those who were and were not Vitamin D deficient, and accounted for approximately one-third of racial differences in post-burn pain outcome. Future studies are needed to evaluate potential mechanisms mediating the effect of Vitamin D on post-burn pain outcomes and the potential efficacy of Vitamin D in improving pain outcomes and reducing racial differences.
Linguistic Accommodation Enhances Compliance to Charity Donation: The Role of Interpersonal Communication Processes in Mediated Compliance-Gaining Conversations
Authors: Liao Wang , Zhang Jingwen , Oh Yoo Jung , Palomares Nicholas A
Published: February 2021

We address the link between communication accommodation and compliance gaining in momentary, mediated encounters, using Goffman’s theory of interaction ritual as a conceptual bridge. We report an online experiment of compliance-gaining conversations with 915 dyads of strangers recruited from Amazon M-Turk. The extent to which two strangers accommodated each other’s non-content linguistic features predicted their behavioral compliance—monetary donation to a charity. This accommodation–compliance link was (a) observed, to some extent, in both conversationalists in the dyads, albeit moderated by seeker–target role differentiation, (b) partially mediated by perceived warmth and competence, and (c) was robust against alternative mechanisms including compliance-gaining strategies, personalities, and demographics. We discuss implications regarding communication-induced influence in mediated conversations and related interpersonal communication processes in general.

Lay Summary

How can a fleeting online interaction bring about compliance, especially for prosocial causes such as charity donation? This article finds that compliance is increased when there is a legacy of cooperative interactions (i.e., successful interaction rituals) on the part of all conversation partners—not just the one who seeks compliance. Such interaction can be identified when the individuals start to coordinate and accommodate each other’s language use (e.g., using similar expressions or adopting similar linguistic styles). The research shows that since online conversations often rely on text-based communication that lacks other channels with which to signal cooperative interactions, coordinated language plays an important role in gaining compliance.
Eupafolin induces autophagy and apoptosis in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas
Authors: Chen Zui , Cheng Long qiu
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Eupafolin, an extract from Artemisia princeps, possesses multiple pharmacological activities. However, the effect of eupafolin on B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas is currently unknown. In this study, we report that eupafolin shows anticancer activity against B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas cell line, OCI-LY-3.

Methods

A CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation inhibition of OCI-LY-3 cells treated with additional concentrations of eupafolin. Flow cytometric analysis method of the cell apoptosis was detected after cells stained with Annexin-V-FITC/PI according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The proteins in the cell were detected by western blot after treatment with eupafolin.

Key findings

Eupafolin induced apoptosis in this cell line evidenced by the caspases activation, cleavage of PARP and downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. Eupafolin-induced autophagy was verified by accumulation of LC3-II and beclin-1. Eupafolin induced autophagy promoting apoptosis by the treatment of eupafolin combined with autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine and bafilomycin A1, respectively. Moreover, we disclose that the expression levels of p-Akt, p-mTOR,p-P70S6K and p-4EBP1 decrease in the Akt/mTOR signalling pathway, and the expression levels of proteins in the NF-ΚB signalling pathway, such as p-p65, p-IκBα, is downregulation.

Conclusions

Together, these results provide crucial evidences explaining the antitumour activity of eupafolin in human NHL cell line, OCI-LY-3.
Whole-Exome Sequencing Reveals a Novel Mutation of FLNA Gene in an Iranian Family with Nonsyndromic Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Kalayinia Samira , Maleki Majid , Mahdavi Mohammad , Mahdieh Nejat
Published: February 2021

Objective

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common congenital abnormalities that need early intervention. Here, for the first time, we report a nonsyndromic form of TOF caused by a novel variant in the FLNA gene in 2 siblings of an Iranian family.

Methods

The family underwent a complete workup, including karyotyping, sequencing of 6 common genes in congenital heart diseases (GATA4, NKX2-5, ZIC3, FOXH1, NODAL, and GJA1), array comparative genomic hybridization, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and whole-exome sequencing. Segregation and in silico analysis were also conducted for the identified variant.

Results

A variant, c.3415C>T, in the FLNA gene was found in both affected brothers in this family; this variant was heterozygous in their mother. Bioinformatics tools predicted the variant as a pathogenic one.

Conclusion

Many allelic disorders have been reported for FLNA mutations. Mutations in this gene may cause a nonsyndromic congenital form of TOF.
Using GAMA to probe the impact of small-scale galaxy physics on nonlinear redshift-space distortions
Authors: Alam Shadab , Peacock John A , Farrow Daniel J , Loveday J , Hopkins A M
Published: February 2021

We present improved modelling of the redshift-space distortions (RSDs) of galaxy clustering that arise from peculiar velocities. We create mock galaxy catalogues in the framework of the halo model, using data from the Bolshoi project. These mock galaxy populations are inserted into the haloes with additional degrees of freedom that govern spatial and kinematical biases of the galaxy populations relative to the dark matter. We explore this generalized halo model with an Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, comparing the predictions to data from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey, and thus derive one of the first constraints on the detailed kinematic degrees of freedom for satellite galaxies within haloes. With this approach, the distortions of the redshift-space galaxy autocorrelations can be accounted for down to spatial separations close to 10 kpc, opening the prospect of improved RSD measurements of the perturbation growth rate by the inclusion of data from nonlinear scales.
Stark broadening of spectral lines for zirconium ions Zr iv−vi in hot white dwarf atmospheres
Authors: Elabidi Haykel
Published: February 2021

Stark widths for 31 spectral lines of the zirconium ions Zr iv, Zr v and Zr vi are calculated using a quantum mechanical method, and for five other lines they are deduced from a linear fit. Among these lines, 23 are provided for the first time. The motivation for this work was the recent identification of 25 lines of zirconium ions in the UV spectrum of the hot white dwarf RE 0503−289, which have never been detected before in hot white dwarfs. The results are presented for the plasma conditions found in hot white dwarf atmospheres. To the best of our knowledge, Stark broadening calculations have only been carried out for the Zr iv ion. Therefore, in addition to the quantum calculations, we perform semiclassical perturbation calculations for Zr iv lines and compare them with previous results, taking into account the effects of strong and elastic collisions on Stark broadening. Furthermore, we compare the Stark broadening with the Doppler broadening in order to ascertain their relative importance in the atmospheric conditions of DO white dwarfs. These results, together with atomic radiative data, are useful for non-local thermodynamic equilibrium stellar-atmosphere modelling.
Global Patterns of Recombination across Human Viruses
Authors: Patiño-Galindo Juan Ángel , Filip Ioan , Rabadan Raul
Published: February 2021

Viral recombination is a major evolutionary mechanism driving adaptation processes, such as the ability of host-switching. Understanding global patterns of recombination could help to identify underlying mechanisms and to evaluate the potential risks of rapid adaptation. Conventional approaches (e.g., those based on linkage disequilibrium) are computationally demanding or even intractable when sequence alignments include hundreds of sequences, common in viral data sets. We present a comprehensive analysis of recombination across 30 genomic alignments from viruses infecting humans. In order to scale the analysis and avoid the computational limitations of conventional approaches, we apply newly developed topological data analysis methods able to infer recombination rates for large data sets. We show that viruses, such as ZEBOV and MARV, consistently displayed low levels of recombination, whereas high levels of recombination were observed in Sarbecoviruses, HBV, HEV, Rhinovirus A, and HIV. We observe that recombination is more common in positive single-stranded RNA viruses than in negatively single-stranded RNA ones. Interestingly, the comparison across multiple viruses suggests an inverse correlation between genome length and recombination rate. Positional analyses of recombination breakpoints along viral genomes, combined with our approach, detected at least 39 nonuniform patterns of recombination (i.e., cold or hotspots) in 18 viral groups. Among these, noteworthy hotspots are found in MERS-CoV and Sarbecoviruses (at spike, Nucleocapsid and ORF8). In summary, we have developed a fast pipeline to measure recombination that, combined with other approaches, has allowed us to find both common and lineage-specific patterns of recombination among viruses with potential relevance in viral adaptation.
Behavioral and Genomic Sensory Adaptations Underlying the Pest Activity ofDrosophila suzukii
Authors: Durkin Sylvia M , Chakraborty Mahul , Abrieux Antoine , Lewald Kyle M , Gadau Alice , Svetec Nicolas , Peng Junhui , Kopyto Miriam , Langer Christopher B , Chiu Joanna C , Emerson J J , Zhao Li
Published: February 2021

Studying how novel phenotypes originate and evolve is fundamental to the field of evolutionary biology as it allows us to understand how organismal diversity is generated and maintained. However, determining the basis of novel phenotypes is challenging as it involves orchestrated changes at multiple biological levels. Here, we aim to overcome this challenge by using a comparative species framework combining behavioral, gene expression, and genomic analyses to understand the evolutionary novel egg-laying substrate-choice behavior of the invasive pest species Drosophila suzukii. First, we used egg-laying behavioral assays to understand the evolution of ripe fruit oviposition preference in D. suzukii compared with closely related species D. subpulchrella and D. biarmipes as well as D. melanogaster. We show that D. subpulchrella and D. biarmipes lay eggs on both ripe and rotten fruits, suggesting that the transition to ripe fruit preference was gradual. Second, using two-choice oviposition assays, we studied how D. suzukii, D. subpulchrella, D. biarmipes, and D. melanogaster differentially process key sensory cues distinguishing ripe from rotten fruit during egg-laying. We found that D. suzukii’s preference for ripe fruit is in part mediated through a species-specific preference for stiff substrates. Last, we sequenced and annotated a high-quality genome for D. subpulchrella. Using comparative genomic approaches, we identified candidate genes involved in D. suzukii’s ability to seek out and target ripe fruits. Our results provide detail to the stepwise evolution of pest activity in D. suzukii, indicating important cues used by this species when finding a host, and the molecular mechanisms potentially underlying their adaptation to a new ecological niche.
Methylated HNRNPK acts on RPS19 to regulate ALOX15 synthesis in erythropoiesis
Authors: Naarmann-de Vries Isabel S , Senatore Roberta , Moritz Bodo , Marx Gernot , Urlaub Henning , Niessing Dierk , Ostareck Dirk H , Ostareck-Lederer Antje
Published: February 2021

Post-transcriptional control is essential to safeguard structural and metabolic changes in enucleated reticulocytes during their terminal maturation to functional erythrocytes. The timely synthesis of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), which initiates mitochondria degradation at the final stage of reticulocyte maturation is regulated by the multifunctional protein HNRNPK. It constitutes a silencing complex at the ALOX15 mRNA 3′ untranslated region that inhibits translation initiation at the AUG by impeding the joining of ribosomal 60S subunits to 40S subunits. To elucidate how HNRNPK interferes with 80S ribosome assembly, three independent screens were applied. They consistently demonstrated a differential interaction of HNRNPK with RPS19, which is localized at the head of the 40S subunit and extends into its functional center. During induced erythroid maturation of K562 cells, decreasing arginine dimethylation of HNRNPK is linked to a reduced interaction with RPS19 in vitro and in vivo. Dimethylation of residues R256, R258 and R268 in HNRNPK affects its interaction with RPS19. In noninduced K562 cells, RPS19 depletion results in the induction of ALOX15 synthesis and mitochondria degradation. Interestingly, residue W52 in RPS19, which is frequently mutated in Diamond-Blackfan Anemia (DBA), participates in specific HNRNPK binding and is an integral part of a putative aromatic cage.
A Brief Analysis of The State of Entertainment Theory
Authors: Vorderer Peter , Klimmt Christoph , Bryant Jennings
Published: February 2021

This chapter offers some historical and conceptual orientation to readers of the Oxford Handbook of Entertainment Theory. Departing from a brief review of ancient roots and twentieth-century pioneer works, we elaborate on the state and challenges of contemporary entertainment theory and research. This includes the need to develop a more explicit understanding of interrelationships among similar terms and concepts (e.g., “presence” and “transportation”), the need to reflect more explicitly on epistemological foundations of entertainment theories (e.g., neobehaviorism), and the need to reach back to past, even historical reasoning in communication that may be just as informative as the consideration of recent theoretical innovations from neighboring fields such as social psychology. Finally, we offer some reflections on programmatic perspectives for future entertainment theory, which should try to harmonize views from the social sciences and critical thinking, span cultural differences in entertainment processes, and keep track of the rapid technological progress of entertainment media.
Stories Enlarge the Experience of Self
Authors: Johnson Benjamin K. , Slater Michael D. , Silver Nathaniel A. , Ewoldsen David R.
Published: February 2021

Temporarily expanded boundaries of the self (TEBOTS) proposes underlying motivations for engaging with stories. TEBOTS points out that fundamental human drives for agency, autonomy, and connectedness are imperfectly attainable. As a result, human beings turn to transcendent experiences that offer self-expansion, especially engagement with mediated worlds and the stories and characters they provide. TEBOTS provides unique hypotheses about how the self-concept relates to the selection, processing, and effects of media entertainment. Confirmatory evidence for TEBOTS shows that threats to the self can increase responsiveness to narratives, and that effects are attributable to a boundary expansion mechanism. Recent studies demonstrate that boundary expansion during media use can facilitate positive outgroup perceptions and attitude change. The TEBOTS framework also provides testable propositions regarding the influence of life stressors such as finance, health, and relationships on narrative engagement and enjoyment, carrying potential implications for narrative influence on stressed populations.
Involvement with Media Personae and Entertainment Experiences
Authors: Brown William J.
Published: February 2021

In the ubiquitous mediated world in which we live, we daily encounter mediated personalities derived from both real people and fictional characters. These personalities, referred to as media personae, can captivate our attention, induce our involvement, and influence our values, beliefs, and behavior. This chapter considers four distinct and yet closely related processes through which audiences become involved with media personae, identified as transportation, parasocial interaction, identification, and worship. The entertainment experiences of media consumers through these four involvement processes and the implications of these experiences in an increasingly socially mediated world are discussed.
Media Entertainment, Flow Experiences, and the Synchronization of Audiences
Authors: Fisher Jacob T. , Lonergan Chelsea , Hopp Frederic R. , Weber René
Published: February 2021

Media entertainment frequently elicits rapt attention, loss of self-consciousness, high levels of enjoyment along with a sense that time is passing more quickly or more slowly than usual. This state is often referred to as flow. For over two decades, scholars have sought to understand when and why media produce flow experiences in audiences. The synchronization theory of flow (STF) advanced flow research by specifying the neural underpinnings of flow experiences and how these neural substrates are influenced by entertaining media. In the intervening years, research from a variety of fields has provided support for the core predictions of STF and has highlighted promising areas for future investigation. This chapter reviews the current state and future directions of STF, focusing on its potential for creating a bridge between media entertainment research and other vibrant research domains including motivated decision-making and neuroaesthetics.
Entertained by Amazement and Wonder
Authors: Possler Daniel , Raney Arthur A.
Published: February 2021

Anecdotal evidence suggests that fascination, amazement, and wonder are regular audience responses to entertainment fare and substantially fuel users’ entertainment experiences. However, so far entertainment theory has largely overlooked these states. This chapter attempts to conceptually describe these experiences with the emotion awe and offers a case for awe as an important element in media entertainment. In a first step, it models conceptual relationships between awe and both hedonic and eudaimonic entertainment experiences. In a second step, it systematically discusses what entertainment fare is capable to elicit awe. To do so, it draws on appraisal theories of emotion and distinguishes different levels of media use, stimuli, processes, and preconditions likely involved in the elicitation of awe during media use. Its model shows that awe is potentially experienced frequently during the reception of many forms of media and is able to contribute substantially to media users’ entertainment responses.
Humor and Comedy
Authors: Goldstein Jeffrey
Published: February 2021

Through most of the twentieth century, psychologists were the preeminent theorists of humor. Since the late twentieth century, linguists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists have also addressed the subject. This chapter presents classic theories of humor—relief/arousal, superiority/disparagement, and incongruity theories, including recent neuroimaging research—followed by an overview of linguistic and semantic theories. The field of computational humor is described, including humor during human–artificial intelligence interaction. The uses and effects of humor are summarized in the areas of education, advertising, and health. Although humor and laughter may not always improve learning, persuasion, or physical health they can enhance the credibility of the communicator and improve the quality of life.