bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ageing in human parturition: impetus of the gestation clock in the decidua†
Authors: Wijaya Joan C , Khanabdali Ramin , Georgiou Harry M , Kalionis Bill
Published: June 2020

Despite sharing many common features, the relationship between ageing and parturition remains poorly understood. The decidua is a specialized lining of endometrial tissue, which develops in preparation for pregnancy. The structure and location of the decidua support its role as the physical scaffold for the growing embryo and placenta, and thus, it is vital to sustain pregnancy. Approaching term, the physical support properties of the decidua are naturally weakened to permit parturition. In this review, we hypothesize that the natural weakening of decidual tissue at parturition is promoted by the ageing process.

Studies of the ageing-related functional and molecular changes in the decidua at parturition are reviewed and classified using hallmarks of ageing as the framework. The potential roles of decidual mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (DMSC) ageing in labor are also discussed because, although stem cell exhaustion is also a hallmark of ageing, its role in labor is not completely understood. In addition, the potential roles of extracellular vesicles secreted by DMSCs in labor, and their parturition-related miRNAs, are reviewed to gain further insight into this research area.

In summary, the literature supports the notion that the decidua ages as the pregnancy progresses, and this may facilitate parturition, suggesting that ageing is the probable impetus of the gestational clocks in the decidua. This conceptual framework was developed to provide a better understanding of the natural ageing process of the decidua during parturition as well as to encourage future studies of the importance of healthy ageing for optimal pregnancy outcomes.
Typhoid Fever in the US Pediatric Population, 1999–2015: Opportunities for Improvement
Authors: McAteer Jarred , Derado Gordana , Hughes Michael , Bhatnagar Amelia , Medalla Felicita , Chatham-Stevens Kevin , Appiah Grace D , Mintz Eric
Published: June 2020

Background

Typhoid fever in the United States is acquired primarily through international travel by unvaccinated travelers. There is currently no typhoid vaccine licensed in the United States for use in children <2 years.

Methods

We reviewed Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi infections reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and antimicrobial-resistance data on Typhi isolates in CDC’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System from 1999 through 2015.

Results

5131 cases of typhoid fever were diagnosed and 5004 Typhi isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Among 1992 pediatric typhoid fever patients, 1616 (81%) had traveled internationally within 30 days of illness onset, 1544 (81%) of 1906 were hospitalized (median duration, 6 days; range, 0–50), and none died. Forty percent (799) were <6 years old; 12% were <2 years old. Based on age and travel destination, 1435 (83%) of 1722 pediatric patients were vaccine-eligible; only 68 (5%) of 1361 were known to be vaccinated. Of 2003 isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, 1216 (61%) were fluoroquinolone-nonsusceptible, of which 272 (22%) were also resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (multidrug-resistant [MDR]). All were susceptible to ceftriaxone and azithromycin. MDR and fluoroquinolone-nonsusceptible isolates were more common in children than adults (16% vs 9%, P < .001, and 61% vs 54%, P < .001, respectively). Fluoroquinolone nonsusceptibility was more common among travel-associated than domestically acquired cases (70% vs 17%, P < .001).

Conclusions

Approximately 95% of currently vaccine-eligible pediatric travelers were unvaccinated, and antimicrobial-resistant infections were common. New public health strategies are needed to improve coverage with currently licensed vaccines. Introduction of an effective pretravel typhoid vaccine for children <2 years could reduce disease burden and prevent drug-resistant infections.
Aristotle’s geometrical accounting
Authors: Hayes M G
Published: June 2020

This paper comments on Ambrosi’s ‘Aristotle’s geometrical accounting’ (Cambridge Journal of Economics 2018, 42, 543–576). While supporting Ambrosi’s case that Aristotle may well have used geometry to demonstrate accounting equivalence, the paper takes issue with Ambrosi’s specific approach to interpreting Aristotle’s ‘merit or worth’ in terms of income. It is entirely reasonable to understand worth in terms of income. However, Ambrosi implies that worth is determined by market prices; this is inconsistent with Aristotle’s treatment of distributive justice. Rather Aristotle states that relative worth is determined prior to market exchange. In other words, Aristotle seeks to identify the just price to which market prices may or may not correspond. Ambrosi’s own geometrical method is extended to illustrate this point, to provide a geometrical alternative to Ambrosi’s algebraic derivation of the key proposition ‘as builder to shoemaker, so shoes to houses’, and to resolve what Aristotle means by ‘one should not introduce them as terms in a figure of proportion when they are already making the exchange (since otherwise one of the two extremes will have both of the excess amounts) but when they are still in possession of their own products’. Aristotle deserves recognition as the first Western economist and as a Classical economist to boot, in the sense of holding that distribution is determined prior to exchange.
Rebel with a Cause: Domnica Radulescu’s Theater Translated into Spanish
Authors: Iliescu-Gheorghiu Catalina
Published: June 2020

This paper focuses on Domnica Radulescu’s creative solutions when deconstructing myths, stereotypes, and prejudices and on the translator’s responses. In Domnica Radulescu’s plays, Exile is My Home and The Virgins of Seville (compiled, in their Spanish versions, in Dos Obras Dramáticas/Two Plays), the translator’s knowledge of both the author’s background and the target readership’s duality (Spanish host society and Romanian migrants) plays an important role in her decisions. Acknowledging that theater as a genre directly exposes hybridity of the author, translator, actors, and audience, this paper discusses the cultural context underpinning the original texts and translational options. At the same time, the reception of the translation into Spanish is partially confirmed through a small survey of Romanian diaspora and Spanish readers.
CNSA: a data repository for archiving omics data
Authors: Guo Xueqin , Chen Fengzhen , Gao Fei , Li Ling , Liu Ke , You Lijin , Hua Cong , Yang Fan , Liu Wanliang , Peng Chunhua , Wang Lina , Yang Xiaoxia , Zhou Feiyu , Tong Jiawei , Cai Jia , Li Zhiyong , Wan Bo , Zhang Lei , Yang Tao , Zhang Minwen , Yang Linlin , Yang Yawen , Zeng Wenjun , Wang Bo , Wei Xiaofeng , Xu Xun
Published: June 2020

With the application and development of high-throughput sequencing technology in life and health sciences, massive multi-omics data brings the problem of efficient management and utilization. Database development and biocuration are the prerequisites for the reuse of these big data. Here, relying on China National GeneBank (CNGB), we present CNGB Sequence Archive (CNSA) for archiving omics data, including raw sequencing data and its further analyzed results which are organized into six objects, namely Project, Sample, Experiment, Run, Assembly and Variation at present. Moreover, CNSA has created a correlation model of living samples, sample information and analytical data on some projects. Both living samples and analytical data are directly correlated with the sample information. From either one, information or data of the other two can be obtained, so that all data can be traced throughout the life cycle from the living sample to the sample information to the analytical data. Complying with the data standards commonly used in the life sciences, CNSA is committed to building a comprehensive and curated data repository for storing, managing and sharing of omics data. We will continue to improve the data standards and provide free access to open-data resources for worldwide scientific communities to support academic research and the bio-industry.

Database URL: https://db.cngb.org/cnsa/.
Minimally invasive left-sided esophagectomy (MILO): a novel approach for locally advanced tumors of the gastroesophageal junction
Authors: Gossage J A
Published: June 2020

Recent national audit has shown that levels of minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer have increased to around 45% in the UK. The hybrid approach is the most common, with a laparoscopic abdominal phase and an open thoracic dissection. A number of centers have now adopted a two-phase Ivor–Lewis minimally invasive esophagectomy using a laparoscopic abdominal phase, followed by a thoracoscopic chest phase with a mini-thoracotomy to extract the specimen. The two-phase nature of the procedure lengthens the operative time and makes returning to the abdominal cavity difficult. The thoracotomy incision can also be painful and may reduce respiratory function post operatively. This report describes a novel single-phase minimally invasive left-sided technique with a mini-laparotomy for specimen extraction. This method offers excellent hiatal exposure, avoids a thoracotomy, and shortens the procedure time. Minimally invasive left-sided esophagectomy is a new useful approach for tumors located at the gastroesophageal junction.
Plant Volatiles Help Mediate Host Plant Selection and Attraction of the Spotted Lanternfly (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae): a Generalist With a Preferred Host
Authors: Derstine Nathan T , Meier Linnea , Canlas Isaiah , Murman Kelly , Cannon Stefani , Carrillo Daniel , Wallace Matthew , Cooperband Miriam F
Published: June 2020

Host plant volatiles play a key role in mediating plant–herbivore interactions. How an array of host plant volatiles guides host preference and attraction in the invasive polyphagous Lycorma delicatula (White), the spotted lanternfly (SLF), is largely unknown. A pernicious phloem feeder, SLF feeds on over 70 species of plants, some with high economic impact. To aid the development of detection and monitoring tools for SLF, we used a two-choice olfactometer to compare 14 host plant species for attraction, first to a blank control, and then to their preferred host Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae), tree-of-heaven. SLF were significantly attracted to seven host plants compared to a blank control, but no host plant was more attractive than tree-of-heaven. We then used electroantennographic detection (EAD) to screen select host plants for EAD active compounds, hypothesizing that EAD-active plant volatiles act as kairomones and mediate SLF attraction to host plants. Out of 43 unique antennal responses, 18 compounds were identified and tested individually for attraction in a two-choice olfactometer against a blank control and then against methyl salicylate, the current best attractant. Eleven compounds were significantly attractive, and one, sulcatone, was more attractive than methyl salicylate. Blends of kairomones were then tested for attraction, revealing five blends that were significantly more attractive than methyl salicylate, and could be developed into lures for field testing. The presence of these kairomones in volatile profiles of 17 plant species is described. These findings support the hypothesis that the identified volatiles act as kairomones and function in attraction to host plants.
Biased Aspirations and Social Inequality at School: Evidence from French Teenagers
Authors: Guyon Nina , Huillery Elise
Published: June 2020

Socially disadvantaged students are less likely to aspire to the top educational pathways than their advantaged classmates who have the same test scores. We identify two behavioural biases that explain most of this gap: socially disadvantaged students are less aware of the top educational pathways and underestimate their academic ability relative to their advantaged peers. We also find that lower educational aspirations at a point in time are associated with poorer school outcomes later on, after controlling for many important factors. Debiasing aspirations through information campaigns and self-esteem building programmes could thus help reduce social inequality in educational attainment.
A Financial Accelerator through Coordination Failure
Authors: de Groot Oliver
Published: June 2020

This article studies the effect of liquidity crises in short-term debt markets in a dynamic general equilibrium framework. Creditors (retail banks) receive imperfect signals regarding the profitability of borrowers (wholesale banks) and, based on these signals and their beliefs about other creditors’ actions, choose whether to roll over funding, or not. The unco-ordinated actions of creditors cause a suboptimal incidence of rollover, generating an illiquidity premium. Leverage magnifies this co-ordination inefficiency. Illiquidity shocks in credit markets result in sharp contractions in output. Policy responses are analysed.
Decellularization and engineered crosslinking: a promising dual approach towards bioprosthetic heart valve longevity
Authors: Human Paul , Ofoegbu Chima , Ilsley Helen , Bezuidenhout Deon , de Villiers Jandre , Williams David F , Zilla Peter
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES

While decellularization has previously significantly improved the durability of bioprosthetic tissue, remnant immunogenicity may yet necessitate masking through crosslinking. To alleviate the fears of reintroducing the risk of calcific degeneration, we investigated the application of rationally designed crosslinking chemistry, capable of abrogating mineralization in isolation, in decellularized tissue.

METHODS

Bovine and porcine pericardium were decellularized using the standard Triton X/sodium deoxycholate/DNAse/RNAse methodology and thereafter combined incrementally with components of a four-stage high-density dialdehyde-based fixation regimen. Mechanical properties prior to, and calcium levels following, subcutaneous implantation for 6 and 10 weeks in rats were assessed.

RESULTS

Enhanced four-stage crosslinking, independent of decellularization, or decellularization followed by any of the crosslinking regimens, achieved sustained, near-elimination of tissue calcification. Decellularization additionally resulted in significantly lower tissue stiffness and higher fatigue resistance in all groups compared to their non-decellularized counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

The dual approach of combining decellularization with enhanced crosslinking chemistry in xenogeneic pericardial tissue offers much promise in extending bioprosthetic heart valve longevity.
Immune function during pregnancy varies between ecologically distinct populations
Authors: Hové Carmen , Trumble Benjamin C , Anderson Amy S , Stieglitz Jonathan , Kaplan Hillard , Gurven Michael D , Blackwell Aaron D
Published: June 2020

Background and objectives

Among placental mammals, females undergo immunological shifts during pregnancy to accommodate the fetus (i.e. fetal tolerance). Fetal tolerance has primarily been characterized within post-industrial populations experiencing evolutionarily novel conditions (e.g. reduced pathogen exposure), which may shape maternal response to fetal antigens. This study investigates how ecological conditions affect maternal immune status during pregnancy by comparing the direction and magnitude of immunological changes associated with each trimester among the Tsimane (a subsistence population subjected to high pathogen load) and women in the USA.

Methodology

Data from the Tsimane Health and Life History Project (N = 935) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 1395) were used to estimate population-specific effects of trimester on differential leukocyte count and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation.

Results

In both populations, pregnancy was associated with increased neutrophil prevalence, reduced lymphocyte and eosinophil count and elevated CRP. Compared to their US counterparts, pregnant Tsimane women exhibited elevated lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, fewer neutrophils and monocytes and lower CRP. Total leukocyte count remained high and unchanged among pregnant Tsimane women while pregnant US women exhibited substantially elevated counts, resulting in overlapping leukocyte prevalence among all third-trimester individuals.

Conclusions and implications

Our findings indicate that ecological conditions shape non-pregnant immune baselines and the magnitude of immunological shifts during pregnancy via developmental constraints and current trade-offs. Future research should investigate how such flexibility impacts maternal health and disease susceptibility, particularly the degree to which chronic pathogen exposure might dampen inflammatory response to fetal antigens.

Lay Summary

This study compares immunological changes associated with pregnancy between the Tsimane (an Amazonian subsistence population) and individuals in the USA. Results suggest that while pregnancy enhances non-specific defenses and dampens both antigen-specific immunity and parasite/allergy response, ecological conditions strongly influence immune baselines and the magnitude of shifts during gestation.
Suicide rates in Iceland before and after the 2008 Global Recession: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Ásgeirsdóttir Hildur G , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A , Nyberg Ullakarin , Lund Sigrún H , Tomasson Gunnar , Þorsteinsdóttir Þórdís K , Ásgeirsdóttir Tinna L , Hauksdóttir Arna
Published: June 2020

Background

Economic downturns have been associated with increased suicide rates. The 2008 global financial crisis varied across countries but hit Iceland relatively hard. We aimed to study potential changes in suicide rates in Iceland during this major economic transition.

Methods

Data were retrieved on all suicides in Iceland during 2002–14. The study period was divided into a pre-collapse period (2002–08) and a post-collapse period (2008–14). Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between pre-to-post economic collapse and suicide rates, expressed as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses were stratified by age and sex.

Results

A total of 470 suicides were recorded during the study period. The mean age at death was 45 years and 75% were males. The overall suicide rates per 100 000 were 13.3 pre-collapse and 15 post-collapse revealing no overall differences in pre-to-post collapse (RR 1.12; CI 0.94–1.35). This was true for both men and women (RR 1.18; CI 0.96–1.46 and RR 0.96; CI 0.67–1.38, respectively). An increase in the unemployment rate was not associated with the overall suicide rate (RR 1.07; CI 0.86–1.33), and neither were changes in gross domestic product (RR 1.29; CI 0.94–1.79) or balance of trade (RR 1.08; CI 0.96–1.22).

Conclusion

The economic collapse and rising unemployment rates in Iceland did not result in an overall increase in suicide rates. A strong welfare system and investing in social protection during the economic crisis may have mitigated suicide risk.
Efficacy of Combined Antigravity Treadmill and Conventional Rehabilitation After Hip Fracture in Patients With Sarcopenia
Authors: Oh Min-Kyun , Yoo Jun-Il , Byun Hayoung , Chun Se-Woong , Lim Seung-Kyu , Jang Yun Jeong , Lee Chang Han
Published: June 2020

Background

To compare long-term effects of antigravity treadmill (AGT) combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) and CR after hip fracture in patients with sarcopenia.

Methods

Forty-five patients were randomly allocated to AGT combined with CR (experimental group) or CR (control group) for 10 consecutive working days. Participants were evaluated prior to treatment, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. Outcome measurement included Koval walking ability scores functional ambulatory category (FAC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination, Euro Quality of Life Questionnaire Five-Dimensional Classification, Korean version of modified Barthel index, and grip strength.

Results

At 3 weeks and 3 months, the comparison of change scores in KOVAL between two groups revealed difference of 0.84 (95% CI: −1.19, −0.49; p for trend = .000) and 1.21 (95% CI: −2.05, −0.36; p for trend = .006), respectively. At 3 weeks, comparison of change score in FAC between two groups revealed a difference of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.28, 1.19; p for trend = .003). The comparison of change scores between two groups also showed a difference in the 6 months in KOVAL and in the 3 and 6 months in FAC. The comparison of changes in scores in BBS between two groups revealed difference of 11.63 (95% CI: 5.85, 17.40; p for trend = .001), 9.00 (95% CI: 2.28, 15.71; p for trend = .006), and 11.05 (95% CI: 3.62, 18.48; p for trend = .006), respectively, at each follow-up.

Conclusions

Both groups were improved after intervention. As additional benefits were evident among those who carried out AGT, it may be appropriate for patients with sarcopenia after hip fracture surgery.
Breaking Sedentary Time Predicts Future Frailty in Inactive Older Adults: A Cross-Lagged Panel Model
Authors: Mañas Asier , del Pozo-Cruz Borja , Rodríguez-Gómez Irene , Losa-Reyna José , Júdice Pedro B , Sardinha Luís B , Rodríguez-Mañas Leocadio , García-García Francisco J , Ara Ignacio
Published: June 2020

Background

Cross-sectional evidence exists on the beneficial effects of breaks in sedentary time (BST) on frailty in older adults. Nonetheless, the longitudinal nature of these associations is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the direction and temporal order of the association between accelerometer-derived BST and frailty over time in older adults.

Methods

This longitudinal study analyzed a total of 186 older adults aged 67–90 (76.7 ± 3.9 years; 52.7% females) from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging over a 4-year period. Number of daily BST was measured by accelerometry. Frailty was assessed with the Frailty Trait Scale. Multiple cross-lagged panel models were used to test the temporal and reciprocal relationship between BST and frailty.

Results

For those physically inactive (n = 126), our analyses revealed a reciprocal inverse relationship between BST and frailty, such as higher initial BST predicted lower levels of later frailty (standardized regression coefficient [β] = −0.150, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.281, −0.018; p < .05); as well as initial lower frailty levels predicted higher future BST (β = −0.161, 95% CI = −0.310, −0.011; p < .05). Conversely, no significant pathway was found in the active participants (n = 60).

Conclusions

In physically inactive older adults, the relationship between BST and frailty is bidirectional, while in active individuals no associations were found. This investigation provides preliminary longitudinal evidence that breaking-up sedentary time more often reduces frailty in those older adults who do not meet physical activity recommendations. Targeting frequent BST may bring a feasible approach to decrease the burden of frailty among more at-risk inactive older adults.
Cultural Differences in Susceptibility to Stereotype Threat: France versus India
Authors: Nicolas Poshita , Régner Isabelle , Lemaire Patrick
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Negative aging stereotypes make older adults perform below their true potential in a number of cognitive domains. This phenomenon, known as Age-Based Stereotype Threat, is currently viewed as a powerful factor contributing to an overestimation of cognitive decline in normal aging. However, age-based stereotype threat has been investigated almost exclusively in Western countries. Whether this phenomenon is universal or culture-specific is unknown.

Method

Here, we first ran a pilot study (N = 106) in which we assessed French and Indian participants’ attitudes towards aging. Then, we assessed stereotype threat effects on arithmetic problem-solving performance and strategies in French and Indian older adults (N = 104).

Results

We found that French older adults have more negative implicit attitudes towards aging than Indian older adults. We also found that culture modulates age-based stereotype threat effects. Whereas French older adults experienced stereotype threat on both selection and execution of strategies on all arithmetic problems, Indian older adults experienced this threat only in their strategy selection on harder problems. Most interestingly, cultural differences emerged on arithmetic problems under stereotype threat condition, where otherwise no cultural differences were found in the control condition.

Discussion

Our findings have important implications for understanding how cultural contexts change aging effects on human cognition and age-related difference in cognitive performance.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes: From Pathogenesis to the Fine Line Between Bleeding and Ischemic Risk
Authors: Pepe Martino , Carulli Eugenio , Forleo Cinzia , Moscarelli Marco , Di Cillo Ottavio , Bortone Alessandro Santo , Nestola Palma Luisa , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Giordano Arturo , Favale Stefano
Published: June 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a pathological condition that first involves the gastrointestinal wall but can also trigger a systemic inflammatory state and thus extraintestinal manifestations. Systemic inflammation is probably secondary to the passage of bacterial products into the bloodstream because of altered intestinal permeability and the consequent release of proinflammatory mediators. Inflammation, through several diverse pathophysiological pathways, determines both a procoagulative state and systemic endothelial dysfunction, which are both deemed to be responsible for venous and arterial thromboembolic adverse events.

The management of systemic thrombotic complications is particularly challenging in this category of patients, who also present a high bleeding risk; what is more, both bleeding and thrombotic risks peak during the active phases of the disease. The literature suggests that treating physicians have been, so far, more heavily influenced by concerns about bleeding than by the thrombotic risk. Despite the absence of data provided by large cohorts or randomized studies, the high risk of arterial and venous atherothrombosis in patients with IBD seems unquestionable. Moreover, several reports suggest that when arterial thromboembolism involves the coronary vessels, causing acute coronary syndromes, ischemic complications from antithrombotic drug undertreatment are frequent and severe. This review aims to shed light on the tricky balance between the ischemic and hemorrhagic risks of patients with IBD and to highlight how difficult it is for clinicians to define a tailored therapy based on a case-by-case, careful, and unprejudiced clinical evaluation.
Sex Differences and the Neuroendocrine Regulation of Seasonal Reproduction by Supplementary Environmental Cues
Authors: Tolla Elisabetta , Stevenson Tyler J
Published: June 2020

Synopsis

Seasonal rhythms in reproduction are conserved across nature and optimize the timing of breeding to environmental conditions favorable for offspring and parent survival. The primary predictive cue for timing seasonal breeding is photoperiod. Supplementary cues, such as food availability, social signals, and temperature, fine-tune the timing of reproduction. Male and female animals show differences in the sensory detection, neural integration, and physiological responses to the same supplementary cue. The neuroendocrine regulation of sex-specific integration of predictive and supplementary cues is not well characterized. Recent findings indicate that epigenetic modifications underlie the organization of sex differences in the brain. It has also become apparent that deoxyribonucleic acid methylation and chromatin modifications play an important role in the regulation and timing of seasonal rhythms. This article will highlight evidence for sex-specific responses to supplementary cues using data collected from birds and mammals. We will then emphasize that supplementary cues are integrated in a sex-dependent manner due to the neuroendocrine differences established and maintained by the organizational and activational effects of reproductive sex hormones. We will then discuss how epigenetic processes involved in reproduction provide a novel link between early-life organizational effects in the brain and sex differences in the response to supplementary cues.
Carbonate chemistry dynamics in shellfish farming areas along the Chilean coast: natural ranges and biological implications
Authors: Saavedra Luisa M , Saldías Gonzalo S , Broitman Bernardo R , Vargas Cristian A
Published: June 2020

The increasing shellfish aquaculture requires knowledge about nearshore environmental variability to manage sustainably and create climate change adaptation strategies. We used data from mooring time series and in situ sampling to characterize oceanographic and carbonate system variability in three bivalve aquaculture areas located along a latitudinal gradient off the Humboldt Current System. Our results showed pHT <8 in most coastal sites and occasionally below 7.5 during austral spring–summer in the lower (−30°S) and central (−37°S) latitudes, related to upwelling. Farmed mussels were exposed to undersaturated (Ωarag < 1) and hypoxic (<2 ml l−1) waters during warm seasons at −37°S, while in the higher latitude (43°S) undersaturated waters were only detected during colder seasons, associated with freshwater runoff. We suggest that both Argopecten purpuratus farmed at −30°S and Mytilus chilensis farmed at −43°S may enhance their growth during summer due to higher temperatures, lower pCO2, and oversaturated waters. In contrast, Mytilus galloprovincialis farmed at 37°S grows better during spring–summer, following higher temperatures and high pCO2. This knowledge is relevant for aquaculture, but it must be improved using high-resolution time series and in situ experimentation with farmed species to aid their adaptation to climate change and ocean acidification.
Hybrid and Cyber Security Threats and the EU’s Financial System
Authors: Demertzis Maria , Wolff Guntram
Published: June 2020

Increasing cyber and hybrid risks will test the European Union’s system of fragmentation on issues of security, but centralization on financial and other economic issues. This asymmetry was not an obstacle in a world in which security threats were more contained or of a different nature. But the world is changing. In this article, we document the rise in cyber attacks in the EU. Meanwhile, hybrid threats are real, though difficult to quantify. We then explore preparations to increase the resilience of the financial system in terms of regulation, testing, and governance. We find that at the individual institutional level, significant measures have been taken, even though there are diverging views on whether individual companies are sufficiently prepared. More worryingly, preparations appear less advanced at the system-wide level. We recommend that EU finance ministers increase resilience through regular preparedness exercises and greater consideration of system-wide regulatory issues. A broader political discussion on the integration of the EU security architecture applicable to the financial system should also be advanced. This includes reopening the framework on foreign-investment screening in order to have screening of foreign investment in critical financial infrastructure at the EU level.
Anisotropic viscoacoustic wave modelling in VTI media using frequency-dependent complex velocity
Authors: Zhang Yabing , Liu Yang , Xu Shigang
Published: June 2020

Under the conditions of acoustic approximation and isotropic attenuation, we derive the pseudo- and pure-viscoacoustic wave equations from the complex constitutive equation and the decoupled P-wave dispersion relation, respectively. Based on the equations, we investigate the viscoacoustic wave propagation in vertical transversely isotropic media. The favourable advantage of these formulas is that the phase dispersion and the amplitude dissipation terms are inherently separated. As a result, we can conveniently perform the decoupled viscoacoustic wavefield simulations by choosing different coefficients. In the computational process, a generalised pseudo-spectral method and a low-rank decomposition scheme are adopted to calculate the wavenumber-domain and mixed-domain propagators, respectively. Because low-rank decomposition plays an important role in the simulated procedure, we evaluate the approximation accuracy for different operators using a linear velocity model. To demonstrate the effectiveness and the accuracy of our method, several numerical examples are carried out based on the new pseudo- and pure-viscoacoustic wave equations. Both equations can effectively describe the viscoacoustic wave propagation characteristics in vertical transversely isotropic media. Unlike the pseudo-viscoacoustic wave equation, the pure-viscoacoustic wave equation can produce stable viscoacoustic wavefields without any SV-wave artefacts.
Global apparent resistivity definition for a high-performance TEM excitation source
Authors: Li He , Li Wenhan , Qi Zhipeng , Li Xiu , Lu Kailiang
Published: June 2020

The high-performance transient electromagnetic method (TEM) excitation source is a new type of source that has been proposed for urban underground space exploration. This source is composed of two trapezoid plates. To ensure that the radiation field was focused in a certain direction, the two trapezoid plate-shaped antennas were arranged into a horn shape. This new source is characterised by high power, directional excitation and high resolution. The corresponding multi-component global apparent resistivity definition method is established for a high-performance transient electromagnetic excitation source. This method is studied using the inverse function theorem. Then, the monotonic relationship between components of the electromagnetic field and resistivity is analysed. For the fields that satisfy the monotonic relationship with half-space resistivity, the apparent resistivity can be calculated correctly to ignore the time period and location in the space. This means that this definition method can eliminate the limitation of early and late times, and the near and far zones. The apparent resistivity calculation results of the theoretical layered model reveal that global apparent resistivity curves show a regular change, which smoothly and comprehensively reflects the change of electrical information in the model. The experimental results of the 3D model show that the five-layer low-resistivity anomaly contained in the urban underground space designed in this paper exhibits an obvious response in the global apparent resistivity profile. It is concluded that a high-performance TEM excitation source possesses a high resolution, clearly reflecting all of the anomalies of a complex urban underground space model.
An extraction method of dispersion curve from vertical seismic profiling data
Authors: Hu Zhi , Gao Jinghuai , He Yanbin , Zhang Guowei
Published: June 2020

The dispersion curve describes the relationship between velocities and frequencies. The group velocity is a kind of dispersion, which presents the velocities of the energy with different frequencies. Although many studies have shown methods for estimating group velocity from a surface wave, the estimation of group velocity from body-wave data is still hard. In this paper, we propose a method to calculate the group velocity from vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data that is a kind of body-wave data. The generalised S-transform (GST) is used to map the seismic signal to the time-frequency (TF) domain and then the group delay (GD) can be extracted from the TF domain. The GD shows the travelling time of different frequency components. The group velocity can be calculated by the GD and the distance between receivers. Unfortunately, the GD is hard to measure accurately because of the noise. Inaccurate GD introduces errors in estimating the velocity. To reduce the errors, we make use of the multiple traces and the iterative least-squares fitting to extract the relationship line between GD and depths. The slope of the line is the reciprocal of the group velocity. Two numerical examples prove the effectiveness of the method. We also derive the formula of group velocity in diffusive-viscous media. In the field data example, the dispersion intensity at different depths and the geological layers can be well matched. These examples illustrate the proposed method is an alternative method for dispersion estimation from VSP.
Seismic reflectivity inversion using an L1-norm basis-pursuit method and GPU parallelisation
Authors: Wang Ruo , Wang Yanghua , Rao Ying
Published: June 2020

Seismic reflectivity inversion problem can be formulated using a basis-pursuit method, aiming to generate a sparse reflectivity series of the subsurface media. In the basis-pursuit method, the reflectivity series is composed by large amounts of even and odd dipoles, thus the size of the seismic response matrix is huge and the matrix operations involved in seismic inversion are very time-consuming. In order to accelerate the matrix computation, a basis-pursuit method-based seismic inversion algorithm is implemented on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). In the basis-persuit inversion algorithm, the problem is imposed with a L1-norm model constraint for sparsity, and this L1-norm basis-pursuit inversion problem is reformulated using a linear programming method. The core problems in the inversion are large-scale linear systems, which are resolved by a parallelised conjugate gradient method. The performance of this fully parallelised implementation is evaluated and compared to the conventional serial coding. Specifically, the investigation using several field seismic data sets with different sizes indicates that GPU-based parallelisation can significantly reduce the computational time with an overall factor up to 145. This efficiency improvement demonstrates a great potential of the basis-pursuit inversion method in practical application to large-scale seismic reflectivity inversion problems.
Cloning, Expression, and Immunological Characterization of Formosan Subterranean Termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) Arginine Kinase
Authors: Mattison Christopher P , Tungtrongchitr Anchalee , Tille Katherine S , Cottone Carrie B , Riegel Claudia
Published: June 2020

Several parts of the world regularly consume termites. Arthropod arginine kinase proteins often cross-react with human immunoblobulin E (IgE) antibodies and they are considered pan-allergens. The Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus (C. formosanus (Shiraki) [Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae]), along with cockroaches, belong to the order Blattodea and they are common household pests in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. An sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) band migrating at approximately 37 kDa in C. formosanus termite extracts cross-reacted with IgE from five cockroach allergic patient samples by immunoblot. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of gel slices from the corresponding region of a gel indicated several peptides from the excised region were identical to the American cockroach arginine kinase allergen, Per a 9. The sequence of the full-length C. formosanus arginine kinase gene indicates the protein it encodes is 96% identical to American cockroach Per a 9, 94% identical to German cockroach Bla g 9, and 82–84% identical to shrimp arginine kinase proteins Pen m 2, Lit v 2, and Cra c 2. Full-length C. formosanus arginine kinase was fused to a glutathione S-transferase tag and recombinantly expressed and purified from Escherichia coli by affinity chromatography. The recombinant protein was recognized by IgE from 11 of 12 cockroach or shrimp allergic samples, but did not cross-react with dust mite allergic or peanut/tree nut allergic samples. The results of this study indicate the C. formosanus arginine kinase cross-reacts with cockroach and shrimp allergic IgE, and if consumed would likely act as an allergen.
SARS–CoV-2 isolation from an appendix
Authors: Ahmad Shahzaib , Ahmed Rahim Nadeem , Jani Poonam , Ullah Mattee , Aboulgheit Hossam
Published: June 2020

Efforts to recognize SARS–CoV-2 infection have focused on respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath. Although it is also well known that SARS–CoV-2 infection can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, there are emerging reports of SARS–CoV-2 infection causing surgical pathology. We present the first case report of SARS–CoV-2 infection directly causing acute appendicitis, first suspected due to highly atypical histological features and later confirmed as polymerase chain reaction positive appendicular tissue sample.
Two bladders, two colons and two uteruses
Authors: Geoghegan Luke , Ahuja Manish , Sheth Hemant
Published: June 2020

Complete colonic duplication is rare and frequently asymptomatic. We present an interesting case of tubular colonic duplication with associated uterine didelphys and a longitudinal sagittal septum in the bladder, noted incidentally on cross-sectional imaging. The patient was later diagnosed with ulcerative colitis affecting the duplicated colon and is currently in remission following medical therapy.
Reporting Sysmex XN Absolute Neutrophil Count in Samples with Leukocyte Analyzer Flagging
Authors: Linko-Parvinen Anna-Maria , Turkia Heidi
Published: June 2020

Objective

To provide faster laboratory data reporting, we evaluated the accuracy of Sysmex XN (Sysmex Inc, Kobe, Japan) absolute neutrophil count (ANC) in the presence of analyzer flagging.

Methods

Sysmex XN and manual microscopy ANC were compared with 80 autovalidated control specimens and with 280 study specimens with analyzer flagging regarding immature granulocytes (IG) >3% or other leukocyte abnormalities. Specimens with ambiguous neutrophil clusters were excluded.

Results

A slight positive overall method bias was seen for Sysmex XN compared to manual microscopy (n = 280), 0.025 (95% confidence interval [CI], –0.023 to 0.069) × 109/L. With IG > 10% (n = 123) the bias was larger, but not clinically significant, 0.17 (95% CI, 0.060–0.25) × 109/L. No clinically significant difference was seen in neutropenic (ANC < 1.5 × 109/L) specimens (n = 91), 0.070 (95% CI, –0.013 to 0.14) × 109/L.

Conclusion

These data indicate that Sysmex XN ANC can be reported in the presence of certain analyzer flagging to improve patient care.
Evaluation of Self-Collection as a Method of Extragenital STI Screening
Authors: Chohonis Kelly , Davis Kepler , Calvano Tatjana
Published: June 2020

Introduction

The goal of this study is to improve overall screening, detection, and treatment of Neisseria gonorrhea (GC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) at our institution.

Materials and Methods

An observational study with two phases was conducted at a U.S. Army Medical Center. Previously collected samples from January 2014 through December 2015 were compared to prospectively collected data from March 2016 through December 2017. All data were collected from a convenience sample of active duty, HIV-positive men who have sex with men. Concordance between provider-collected and self-collected extragenital screening (EGS) samples was evaluated.

Results

The rate of detection using EGS was higher than previously found using urogenital screening alone. Our prospective analysis revealed that expanding screening to include extragenital sites increased rates of detection of GC and CT. Our rates of GC detection at the pharynx and rectum, and CT detection at the rectum, were higher than those reported in the literature for men who have sex with men. Rates of CT infection at the pharynx were comparable with those reported in the literature. Detection of GC at the pharynx was exactly concordant between self-collected and provider-collected samples. Concordance of GC and CT detection at the rectum was very good. The kappa coefficient for detection of CT at the pharynx was zero, which corresponded to 44 out of 45 concordant observations.

Conclusions

Prior to implementation of EGS at our institution, we missed the opportunity to detect a substantial number of GC/CT infections with urogenital screening alone. Our results suggest that self-collection is a reliable method of EGS as compared to provider collection of samples.
Invasive Meningococcal Disease at Fort Ord and San Diego Naval Training Center, 1962–1964
Authors: Christopher George W
Published: June 2020

Meningococcal epidemics at 2 training facilities were early examples of outbreaks fueled by military demographics and because of lethal drug-resistant bacteria for which there are no vaccines or chemoprophylaxis. Positive outcomes included the elucidation of the natural history of meningococcal colonization and disease and the initiation of vaccine development.
Native and nonnative bivalve settlement: potential competition for spatial resources in a northeast Florida estuary
Authors: Raabe Jennifer M , Gilg Matthew R
Published: June 2020

Introduced species often have negative effects on native species that occupy the same habitats in the area of introduction. Habitat preferences of organisms can therefore play a large role in determining the severity of interactions such as competition or predation. Previous laboratory studies have shown that the introduced mussel species Perna viridis can decrease the settlement and early survival of the native oyster species Crassostrea virginica. Both species can often be found in the same general areas, but it is unknown whether this habitat overlap is complete, or whether there are certain locations that may act as refuges for native bivalve species. The present study investigated the settlement patterns of the introduced P. viridis and two groups of native bivalves, oysters (C. virginica and Ostrea equestris) and mussels (Ischadium recurvum, Brachidontes exustus and Geukensia demissa), to determine whether preferential settlement depths and habitats differed among the groups. Most of these groups showed significantly greater settlement on deeper substrates that were located in the main channel of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway of northeast Florida. While native oysters also settled in adjacent feeder creeks in fairly large numbers, settlement of P. viridis in these areas was relatively rare. In main channel locations, the overlap in settlement depth is likely to result in competition between introduced and native bivalve species, but feeder creeks may provide areas of refuge for native oysters. The spatial and temporal overlap of all three groups suggests that competition among nonnative and native bivalves may occur in nature.
The structural ensemble of a Holliday junction determined by X-ray scattering interference
Authors: Zettl Thomas , Shi Xuesong , Bonilla Steve , Sedlak Steffen M , Lipfert Jan , Herschlag Daniel
Published: June 2020

The DNA four-way (Holliday) junction is the central intermediate of genetic recombination, yet key aspects of its conformational and thermodynamic properties remain unclear. While multiple experimental approaches have been used to characterize the canonical X-shape conformers under specific ionic conditions, the complete conformational ensemble of this motif, especially at low ionic conditions, remains largely undetermined. In line with previous studies, our single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) measurements of junction dynamics revealed transitions between two states under high salt conditions, but smFRET could not determine whether there are fast and unresolvable transitions between distinct conformations or a broad ensemble of related states under low and intermediate salt conditions. We therefore used an emerging technique, X-ray scattering interferometry (XSI), to directly probe the conformational ensemble of the Holliday junction across a wide range of ionic conditions. Our results demonstrated that the four-way junction adopts an out-of-plane geometry under low ionic conditions and revealed a conformational state at intermediate ionic conditions previously undetected by other methods. Our results provide critical information to build toward a full description of the conformational landscape of the Holliday junction and underscore the utility of XSI for probing conformational ensembles under a wide range of solution conditions.