bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis in Diabetic Disease Mucormycosis in Diabetic Disease
Authors: Galletti Bruno , Freni Francesco , Meduri Alessandro , Oliverio Giovanni William , Signorino Giuseppe Alberto , Perroni Pietro , Galletti Cosimo , Aragona Pasquale , Galletti Francesco
Published: February 2020

The authors present their experience about clinical evidences that include patients with an untreated diabetes who developed rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). They were treated with endoscopic sinus surgery and medical treatment with intravenous, intradural therapy, and sinus washes with amphotericin B. The ROCM is a disease with a rapid evolution and an increase in mortality rate, especially if the fungus enters the cranial cavity. Therefore, it would be necessary in all diabetic patients with sinus symptoms, headaches, visual changes, suspect a mucormycosis, and perform a careful radiology assessment and a nasal endoscopy. Often, despite an early diagnosis and rapid treatment for ROCM, it is not possible to stem the disease, which ends with the patient's death.
Quantifying the Severity of Metopic Craniosynostosis: A Pilot Study Application of Machine Learning in Craniofacial Surgery
Authors: Bhalodia Riddhish , Dvoracek Lucas A. , Ayyash Ali M. , Kavan Ladislav , Whitaker Ross , Goldstein Jesse A.
Published: February 2020

The standard for diagnosing metopic craniosynostosis (CS) utilizes computed tomography (CT) imaging and physical exam, but there is no standardized method for determining disease severity. Previous studies using interfrontal angles have evaluated differences in specific skull landmarks; however, these measurements are difficult to readily ascertain in clinical practice and fail to assess the complete skull contour. This pilot project employs machine learning algorithms to combine statistical shape information with expert ratings to generate a novel objective method of measuring the severity of metopic CS.

Expert ratings of normal and metopic skull CT images were collected. Skull-shape analysis was conducted using ShapeWorks software. Machine-learning was used to combine the expert ratings with our shape analysis model to predict the severity of metopic CS using CT images. Our model was then compared to the gold standard using interfrontal angles.

Seventeen metopic skull CT images of patients 5 to 15 months old were assigned a severity by 18 craniofacial surgeons, and 65 nonaffected controls were included with a 0 severity. Our model accurately correlated the level of skull deformity with severity (P < 0.10) and predicted the severity of metopic CS more often than models using interfrontal angles (χ
2 = 5.46, P = 0.019).

This is the first study that combines shape information with expert ratings to generate an objective measure of severity for metopic CS. This method may help clinicians easily quantify the severity and perform robust longitudinal assessments of the condition.
Improvement of Periorbital Appearance in Apert Syndrome After Subcranial Le Fort III With Bipartition and Distraction
Authors: Chetty Vaneshri , Haber Samer E. , Khonsari Roman Hossein , Arnaud Eric
Published: February 2020

Aim and Scope:

Children with Apert syndrome have a characteristic inversion of the orientation of the palpebral fissures, an increase of the inter-orbital distance, telecanthus, and exorbitism. Here, Le Fort III osteotomy with subcranial bipartition and distraction osteogenesis was evaluated as a tool to improve the position of the palpebral fissures in Apert syndrome.

Material and Methods:

All patients with Apert syndrome who underwent Le Fort 3 osteotomy with subcranial bipartition and distraction osteogenesis using an external device, with canthopexy, between 2009 and 2014, with available preoperative and postoperative frontal photographs, were included into the study. Palpebral fissure inclination was measured. Ratios of the intercanthal distance (ICD) to the outer-canthal distance (OCD) and the interpupillary distance to the OCD were computed. Preoperative and postoperative values were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test.

Results:

The authors included 15 patients with Apert syndrome. The mean age at surgery was 10 ± 3.4 years and the average follow-up was 7.3 ± 2.9 years. We found normalization of the negative inclination of the palpebral fissures (right eye: 10.7 ± 2.4 degrees preoperatively versus 7.0 ± 3.1 degrees postoperatively, P < 0.001; left eye: 12.4 ± 3.9 degrees preoperatively versus 8.7 ± 4.1 degrees postoperatively, P = 0.01) and a significant reduction of the inter-pupillary distance: OCD ratio (0.717 ± 0.027 preoperatively versus 0.699 ± 0.030 postoperatively, P = 0.03). These modifications were stable on the long term. There was no significant change of the inter-canthal distance:OCD ratio.

Conclusions:

Le Fort III facial advancement with subcranial bipartition and distraction improves the position and orientation of the orbital region in children with Apert syndrome
Inhibition of PAR-2 Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Improves Short-Term Neurocognitive Functions Via ERK1/2 Signaling Following Asphyxia-Induced Cardiac Arrest in Rats
Authors: Ocak Umut , Ocak Pinar Eser , Huang Lei , Zuo Gang , Yan Jun , Hu Xin , Song Zhijun , Zhang John H.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Global cerebral ischemia-induced neuroinflammation causes neurofunctional impairment following cardiac arrest. Previous studies have demonstrated that the activation of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) contributes to neuroinflammation. In the present study, we aimed to determine the potential treatment effect of PAR-2 inhibition against neuroinflammation in the setting of asphyxial CA (ACA) in rats.

Methods:

A total of 116 adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham (n = 18) and ACA (n = 98) groups. Time course, short-term outcome, and mechanism studies were conducted. All drugs were delivered intranasally. The effect of PAR-2 inhibitor FSLLRY-NH2 on neurocognitive functions was assessed by neurologic deficit score, number of seizures, and T-maze test, while hippocampal neuronal degeneration was evaluated by Fluoro-Jade C staining after ACA. Western blotting was performed for the mechanism study at 24 h following ACA. Selective PAR-2 agonist (AC55541) and ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) were used for intervention.

Results:

Inhibition of PAR-2 decreased neuroinflammation, reduced the number of degenerating hippocampal neurons and improved neurocognitive functions following ACA. PAR-2 activator alone exerted opposite effects to PAR-2 inhibitor. PAR-2 mediated the augmented brain levels of proinflammatory cytokines by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

Conclusions:

PAR-2 inhibition diminished neuroinflammation and thereby reduced hippocampal neuronal degeneration and neurocognitive impairment following ACA. This effect was at least partly mediated via the PAR-2/ERK1/2 signaling.
Inverse Association Between the Quantity of Human Peripheral Blood CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T Cells With De Novo DSA Production in the First Year After Kidney Transplant
Authors: Zimmerer Jason M. , Basinger Matthew W. , Ringwald Bryce A. , Abdel-Rasoul Mahmoud , Pelletier Ronald P. , Rajab Amer , El-Hinnawi Ashraf , Parekh Hemant , Washburn Kenneth , Bumgardner Ginny L.
Published: February 2020

Background.

We recently reported that a novel CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T-cell subset significantly inhibits posttransplant alloantibody production in a murine transplant model. These findings prompted the current study to investigate the association of human CD8+ T cells with the same phenotype with the development of de novo donor-specific antibody (DSA) after kidney transplantation.

Methods.

In the current studies, we prospectively and serially analyzed peripheral blood CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell subsets and monitored for the development of de novo DSA in kidney transplant recipients during the first-year posttransplant. We report results on 95 first-time human kidney transplant recipients with 1-year follow-up.

Results.

Twenty-three recipients (24.2%) developed de novo DSA within 1-year posttransplant. Recipients who developed DSA had significantly lower quantities of peripheral CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells (P = 0.01) and significantly lower ratios of CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T cell to combined CD4+ Th1/Th2 cell subsets (IFN-γ+CD4+ and IL-4+CD4+ cells; P = 0.0001) compared to recipients who remained DSA-negative over the first-year posttransplant.

Conclusions.

Our data raise the possibility that human CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells are a homolog to murine CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells (termed antibody-suppressor CD8+ T cells) and that the quantity of CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells (or the ratio of CXCR5+IFN-γ+CD8+ T cells to Th1/Th2 CD4+ T cells) may identify recipients at risk for development of DSA.
Prevalence and Patterns of Opioid Use Before and After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Cron David C. , Tincopa Monica A. , Lee Jay S. , Waljee Akbar K. , Hammoud Ali , Brummett Chad M. , Waljee Jennifer F. , Englesbe Michael J. , Sonnenday Christopher J.
Published: February 2020

Background.

Opioid use in liver transplantation is poorly understood and has potential associated morbidity.

Methods.

Using a national data set of employer-based insurance claims, we identified 1257 adults who underwent liver transplantation between December 2009 and February 2015. We categorized patients based on their duration of opioid fills over the year before and after transplant admission as opioid-naive/no fills, chronic opioid use (≥120 d supply), and intermittent use (all other use). We calculated risk-adjusted prevalence of peritransplant opioid fills, assessed changes in opioid use after transplant, and identified correlates of persistent or increased opioid use posttransplant.

Results.

Overall, 45% of patients filled ≥1 opioid prescription in the year before transplant (35% intermittent use, 10% chronic). Posttransplant, 61% of patients filled an opioid prescription 0–2 months after discharge, and 21% filled an opioid between 10–12 months after discharge. Among previously opioid-naive patients, 4% developed chronic use posttransplant. Among patients with pretransplant opioid use, 84% remained intermittent or increased to chronic use, and 73% of chronic users remained chronic users after transplant. Pretransplant opioid use (risk factor) and hepatobiliary malignancy (protective) were the only factors independently associated with risk of persistent or increased posttransplant opioid use.

Conclusions.

Prescription opioid use is common before and after liver transplant, with intermittent and chronic use largely persisting, and a small development of new chronic use posttransplant. To minimize the morbidity of long-term opioid use, it is critical to improve pain management and optimize opioid use before and after liver transplant.
Survival Benefit of En Bloc Transplantation of Small Pediatric Kidneys in Children
Authors: Kizilbash Sarah J. , Evans Michael D. , Chinnakotla Srinath , Chavers Blanche M.
Published: February 2020

Background.

En bloc transplantation of small pediatric kidneys in children may help expand the existing deceased donor pool; however, studies examining the long-term outcomes of en bloc transplantation in children are few.

Methods.

We used the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to identify 149 pediatric en bloc recipients transplanted from October 1, 1987 to December 31, 2017. We used propensity scores to match 148 en bloc with 581 non-en bloc deceased donor recipients (matching variables: transplant age, gender, race, pretransplant dialysis, transplant center, and year). We evaluated patient and graft survival using Kaplan-Meier and Fleming-Harrington weighted log-rank test and examined survival benefit of en bloc transplantation versus remaining on the waiting list using the sequential Cox approach. We divided the study period into three 10-y intervals to assess the effect of era on outcomes.

Results.

Compared with non-en bloc recipients, en bloc recipients had lower 1-y graft survival (78.9% versus 88.9%; P = 0.007); however, when stratified by transplant era, lower 1-y survival was only observed in the oldest era (1987–1997). En bloc recipients had superior 10-y patient (89.0% versus 80.4%; P = 0.04) and graft survival (51.6% versus 39.9%; P = 0.04) compared with non-en bloc recipients. After multivariate adjustment, en bloc transplantation was associated with superior patient survival compared with remaining on the waiting list (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.58; 95% confidence interval: 0.36-0.95; P = 0.03).

Conclusions.

En bloc transplantation of small pediatric kidneys in children is associated with superior long-term patient and graft survival. The increased risk of 1-y graft loss among en bloc recipients only appeared in the oldest era.
Proceedings of the 25th Annual Congress of the International Liver Transplantation Society
Authors: Chadha Ryan , De Martin Eleonora , Kabacam Gokhan , Kirchner Varvara , Kalisvaart Marit , Goldaracena Nicolas , Tanaka Tomohiro , Spiro Michael , Sapisochin Gonzalo , Vinaixa Carmen , Hessheimer Amelia , Campos Varela Isabel , Rammohan Ashwin , Yoon Young-in , Victor David , Scalera Irene , Chan Albert , Bhangui Prashant
Published: February 2020

The 25th Annual Congress of the International Liver Transplantation Society was held in Toronto, Canada, from May 15 to 18, 2019. Surgeons, hepatologists, anesthesiologists, critical care intensivists, radiologists, pathologists, and research scientists from all over the world came together with the common aim of improving care and outcomes for liver transplant recipients and living donors. Some of the featured topics at this year’s conference included multidisciplinary perioperative care in liver transplantation, worldwide approaches to organ allocation, donor steatosis, and updates in pediatrics, immunology, and radiology. This report presents excerpts and highlights from invited lectures and select abstracts, reviewed and compiled by the Vanguard Committee of International Liver Transplantation Society. This will hopefully contribute to further advances in clinical practice and research in liver transplantation.
Checkerboard Visual Field Defect in Occipital Stroke
Authors: Kamal Sarah , Al Othman Bayan A. , Kini Ashwini T. , Lee Andrew G.
Published: February 2020

A 74-year-old man with vasculopathic risk factors presented to the emergency room with a chief complaint of peripheral vision loss resulting from an intracranial hemorrhage in his right parietal and occipital lobes. Urgent craniotomy and ventriculostomy led to a stable clinical condition with subsequent development of a crossed quadrant homonymous hemianopsia (checkerboard visual field) due to a new right parieto-occipital infarct superimposed on a prior left occipital infarct. This uncommon visual field defect represents juxtaposed homonymous quadrantanopias that produce a striking checkerboard appearance that is almost pathognomonic for bilateral occipital lesions.
Transient Orthostatic Hypertension During Head-Up Tilt Test in Young Adults: A Phenotype of Blood Pressure Variability
Authors: Petersen Álvaro , Salas-Herrera Cecy , Lerma Claudia , Brown-Escobar Christopher , Kostin Andrei , Sierra-Beltrán Manuel , González-Hermosillo J. Antonio
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

The mechanisms underlying orthostatic hypertension (OHT) remain poorly understood. The authors evaluated the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular dynamics, and autonomic response to head-up tilt test (HUTT) in young adults with symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and transient OHT.

Methods:

Forty-four female subjects were included (34 ± 13 years old) and categorized in three groups after a 30-minute 70° passive HUTT: symptomatic patients with OHT (surge of systolic blood pressure ≥20 mm Hg for at least 5 minutes at any given time during HUTT), orthostatic intolerance (symptomatic patients without orthostatic blood pressure changes), and healthy asymptomatic control subjects.

Results:

At baseline, OHT patients had lower systolic blood pressure than orthostatic intolerance patients (103 ± 8 vs. 116 ± 10 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and lower baroreflex sensitivity than control subjects (15.8 ± 8.3 vs. 27.1 ± 11.7 ms/mm Hg, p = 0.01). On tilt, cardiac output decreased in OHT patients from 6.1 ± 1.4 L/minute during baseline to 5.2 ± 0.8 L/minute after 10 minutes of HUTT (p = 0.01). In OHT patients at 30 minutes of HUTT, sympathetic efferent heart activity was higher (77.4 ± 14.9 normalized units or nu) than orthostatic intolerant patients (63.5 ± 11.8 nu, p = 0.02) and control subjects (65.8 ± 11.2 nu, p = 0.05). Cerebrovascular resistance in OHT was higher than control subjects after 30 minutes (2.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3 cm/second, respectively, p = 0.02).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that transient OHT can occur at any given time during HUTT. These patients exhibit a decrease in cardiac output and a hyperadrenergic response to tilt.
Elioraea rosea sp. nov., a plant promoting bacterium isolated from floodwater of a paddy field
Authors: Lee Hyo-Jin , Whang Kyung-Sook
Published: February 2020

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain PF-30T, was isolated from floodwater of a paddy field in South Korea. Strain PF-30T was found to be a strictly aerobic, motile and pink-pigmented rods which can grow at 25–40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and at salinities of 0.5–3.0 % NaCl (optimum 0.5 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PF-30T belongs to the genus

Elioraea

, showing highest sequence similarity to

Elioraea tepidiphila

TU-7T (97.1%) and less than 91.3 % similarity with other members of the family

Acetobacteraceae

. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA–DNA relatedness between the strain PF-30T and

E. tepidiphila

TU-7T yielded an ANI value of 75.1 % and DNA–DNA relatedness of 11.7±0.7 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were identified as C18 : 0 and C18 : 1
ω7c. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as Q-10. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.9 mol%. The strain PF-30T was observed to produce plant-growth-promoting materials such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore and phytase. On the basis of the results from phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, we concluded that strain PF-30T represents a novel species of the genus

Elioraea

, for which the name Elioraea rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PF-30T (=KACC 19985T=NBRC 113984T).
Maintenance DNA methylation is essential for regulatory T cell development and stability of suppressive function
Authors: Helmin Kathryn A. , Morales-Nebreda Luisa , Torres Acosta Manuel A. , Anekalla Kishore R. , Chen Shang-Yang , Abdala-Valencia Hiam , Politanska Yuliya , Cheresh Paul , Akbarpour Mahzad , Steinert Elizabeth M. , Weinberg Samuel E. , Singer Benjamin D.
Published: February 2020

Regulatory T (Treg) cells require Foxp3 expression and induction of a specific DNA hypomethylation signature during development, after which Treg cells persist as a self-renewing population that regulates immune system activation. Whether maintenance DNA methylation is required for Treg cell lineage development and stability and how methylation patterns are maintained during lineage self-renewal remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the epigenetic regulator Uhrf1 is essential for maintenance of methyl-DNA marks that stabilize Treg cellular identity by repressing effector T cell transcriptional programs. Constitutive and induced deficiency of Uhrf1 within Foxp3+cells resulted in global yet non-uniform loss of DNA methylation, derepression of inflammatory transcriptional programs, destabilization of the Treg cell lineage, spontaneous inflammation, and enhanced tumor immunity. These findings support a paradigm in which maintenance DNA methylation is required in distinct regions of the Treg cell genome for both lineage establishment and stability of identity and suppressive function.
Epidemiology of pediatric cancer in the Northwest Region of Cameroon
Authors: Borah Rohit , Kouya Francine
Published: February 2020

Background

The epidemiological scale of cancer in Cameroon is still relatively unknown, as public health research in sub-Saharan Africa has traditionally focused on infectious and/or communicable disease. As awareness for chronic disease such as cancer has risen, so, too, have diagnoses and incidence. In order to ensure more effective care and quality of life for children at greater risk for cancer diagnoses, specific and effective research must be conducted in order to institute effective policy and protocols.

Objective

To comprehensively review all pediatric cancer cases seen in the Northwest Region of Cameroon in order to provide novel, current epidemiological data on pediatric cancer in the region.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed each individual pediatric cancer case seen from January 1, 2016, through November 30, 2017, in the three largest hospitals in the Northwest Region of Cameroon: Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Bamenda Provincial Hospital, and Banso Baptist Hospital.

Results

173 cases of pediatric cancer were identified as being treated in one of the three hospitals in question over the 25-month study period. The average age of the patients was 6.23 years (SD = ± 3.93), and 58.4% of the patients were male. The three most common types of cancer diagnosed in these pediatric patients were Burkitt lymphoma, retinoblastoma, and Wilms tumor. Of the 173 cases, 105 of the patients were originally from the Northwest Region. The incidence of pediatric cancer originating from the Northwest Region of Cameroon is 5.92 cases (95% CI: 4.79 – 7.05) per 100,000 persons per year.

Conclusion

This study is the first extensive examination of pediatric cancer epidemiology in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Children in sub-Saharan Africa are disproportionately affected by cancer in comparison with their counterparts in the developed world. As the body of literature continues to grow in the years to come, more effective care both preventive and curative can affect the lives of millions.
Mapping and identification of soft corona proteins at nanoparticles and their impact on cellular association
Authors: Mohammad-Beigi Hossein , Hayashi Yuya , Zeuthen Christina Moeslund , Eskandari Hoda , Scavenius Carsten , Juul-Madsen Kristian , Vorup-Jensen Thomas , Enghild Jan J. , Sutherland Duncan S.
Published: February 2020

The current understanding of the biological identity that nanoparticles may acquire in a given biological milieu is mostly inferred from the hard component of the protein corona (HC). The composition of soft corona (SC) proteins and their biological relevance have remained elusive due to the lack of analytical separation methods. Here, we identified a set of specific corona proteins with weak interactions at silica and polystyrene nanoparticles by using an in situ click-chemistry reaction. We show that these SC proteins are present also in the HC, but are specifically enriched after the capture, suggesting that the main distinction between HC and SC is the differential binding strength of the same proteins. Interestingly, the weakly interacting proteins in the SC are revealed as modulators of nanoparticle-cell association, in spite of their short residence time. We therefore highlight that weak interactions of proteins at nanoparticles should be considered when evaluating nano-bio interfaces.
Reliable data collection in participatory trials to assess digital healthcare apps
Authors: Park Junseok , Park Seongkuk , Kim Kwangmin , Kim Gwangmin , Jung Jaegyun , Yoo Sungyong , Yi Gwan-su , Lee Doheon
Published: February 2020

The number of digital healthcare mobile apps on the market is increasing exponentially owing to the development of the mobile network and widespread usage of smartphones. However, only a few of these apps have undergone adequate validation. As with many mobile apps, healthcare apps are generally considered safe to use, making them easy for developers and end-users to exchange them in the marketplace. The existing platforms are not suitable to collect reliable data for evaluating the effectiveness of the apps. Moreover, these platforms only reflect the perspectives of developers and experts, not of end-users. For instance, data collection methods typical of clinical trials are not appropriate for participant-driven assessment of healthcare apps because of their complexity and high cost. Thus, we identified a need for a participant-driven data collection platform for end-users that is interpretable, systematic, and sustainable —as a first step to validate the effectiveness of the apps. To collect reliable data in the participatory trial format, we defined distinct stages for data preparation, storage, and sharing. Interpretable data preparation consists of a protocol database system and semantic feature retrieval method to create a protocol without professional knowledge. Collected data reliability weight calculation belongs to the systematic data storage stage. For sustainable data collection, we integrated the weight method and the future reward distribution function. We validated the methods through statistical tests conducted on 718 human participants. The validation results demonstrate that the methods have significant differences in the comparative experiment and prove that the choice of the right method is essential for reliable data collection. Furthermore, we created a web-based system for our pilot platform to collect reliable data in an integrated pipeline. We validate the platform features with existing clinical and pragmatic trial data collection platforms. In conclusion, we show that the method and platform support reliable data collection, forging a path to effectiveness validation of digital healthcare apps.
senSCOPE: Modeling radiative transfer and biochemical processes in mixed canopies combining green and senescent leaves with SCOPE
Authors: Pacheco-Labrador Javier , El-Madany Tarek S. , van der Tol Christiaan , Martin M. Pilar , Gonzalez-Cascon Rosario , Perez-Priego Oscar , Guan Jinhong , Moreno Gerardo , Carrara Arnaud , Reichstein Markus , Migliavacca Mirco
Published: February 2020

Semi-arid grasslands and other ecosystems combine green and senescent leaves featuring different biochemical and optical properties, as well as functional traits. Knowing how these properties vary is necessary to understand the functioning of these ecosystems. However, differences between green and senescent leaves are not considered in recent models representing radiative transfer, heat, water and CO2exchange such as the Soil-Canopy Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy fluxes (SCOPE). Neglecting the contribution of senescent leaves to the optical and thermal signal of vegetation limits the possibilities to use remote sensing information for studying these ecosystems; as well as neglecting their lack of photosynthetic activity increases uncertainty in the representation of ecosystem fluxes. In this manuscript we present senSCOPE as a step towards a more realistic representation of mixed green and senescent canopies. senSCOPE is a modified version of SCOPE model that describes a canopy combining green and senescent leaves with different properties and function. The model relies on the same numerical solutions than SCOPE, but exploits the linear nature of the scattering coefficients to combine optical properties of both types of leaf. Photosynthesis and transpiration only take place in green leaves; and different green and senescent leaf temperatures are used to close the energy balance. Radiative transfer of sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) and absorptance changes induced by the xanthophyll cycle action are also simulated. senSCOPE is evaluated against SCOPE both using synthetic simulations, forward simulations based on observations in a Mediterranean tree-grass ecosystem, and inverting dataset of ground measurements of reflectance factors, SIF, thermal radiance and gross primary production on a heterogeneous and partly senescent Mediterranean grassland. Results show that senSCOPE outputs vary quite linearly with the fraction of green leaf area, whereas SCOPE does not respond linearly to the effective leaf properties, calculated as the weighted average of green and senescent leaf parameters. Inversion results and pattern-oriented model evaluation show that senSCOPE improves the estimation of some parameters, especially chlorophyll content, with respect SCOPE retrievals during the dry season. Nonetheless, inaccurate knowledge of the optical properties of senescent matter still complicates model inversion. senSCOPE brings new opportunities for the monitoring of canopies mixing green and senescent leaves, and for improving the characterization of the optical properties of senescent material.
Relating quantitative 7T MRI across cortical depths to cytoarchitectonics, gene expression and connectomics: a framework for tracking neurodegenerative disease
Authors: McColgan Peter , Helbling Saskia , Vaculčiaková Lenka , Pine Kerrin , Wagstyl Konrad , Attar Fakhereh Movahedian , Edwards Luke , Papoutsi Marina , Wei Yongbin , Van den Heuvel Martijn Pieter , Tabrizi Sarah , Rees Geraint , Weiskopf Nikolaus
Published: February 2020

Cortical layer-specific ultra-high field MRI has the potential to provide anatomically precise biomarkers and mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative disease. Here we compare cortical layer-specificity for a 7T multi-parametric mapping (MPM) 500μm whole brain acquisition to the von Economo and Big Brain post-mortem histology atlases. We also investigate the relationship between 7T MPMs, layer-specific gene expression and Huntington’s disease related genes, using the Allen Human Brain atlas. Finally we link MPM cortical depth measures with white matter connections using high-fidelity diffusion tractography from a 300mT/m Connectom MRI system. We show that R2* across cortical depths is highly correlated with layer-specific cell number, cell staining intensity and gene expression. Furthermore white matter connections were highly correlated with grey matter R1 and R2* across cortical depths. These findings demonstrate the potential of combining 7T MPMs, gene expression and white matter connections to provide an anatomically precise framework for tracking neurodegenerative disease.
Estimation of the propensity for sexual selection in a cyclical parthenogen
Authors: Duneau David , Altermatt Florian , Ferdy Jean-Baptiste , Ben-Ami Frida , Ebert Dieter
Published: February 2020

Cyclical parthenogenesis is a widespread reproductive strategy in which organisms go through one or multiple rounds of clonal reproduction before sexual reproduction. Because sexual reproduction is typically less common than parthenogenesis in populations of the planktonic cladoceranDaphnia magna,it is not frequently studied. Here we examine the sexual process ofD. magnaand its relation to sexual selection inDaphniarockpool populations by observing natural mating in these shallow habitats where sex generally occurs throughout the summer. Although microsatellite markers were found to reveal no evidence of disassortative mating or, thus, of inbreeding avoidance, body length and infection status did reveal assortative mating, suggesting sexual selection to act. When two males mated with a single female, the larger male was observed to remain longer, possibly giving it an advantage in sperm competition. Indirect evidence points at the brood pouch as the likely site of fertilization and thus, sperm competition. Sperm length was as variable within ejaculates as it was among males from different populations. Our data provide firm evidence that sexual selection is present in this species, most likely manifesting itself through a combination of female choice and male–male competition.
Generation of twenty four induced pluripotent stem cell lines from twenty four members of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936
Authors: Toombs Jamie , Panther Lindsay , Ornelas Loren , Liu Chunyan , Gomez Emilda , Martín-Ibáñez Raquel , Cox Simon R. , Ritchie Stuart J. , Harris Sarah E. , Taylor Adele , Redmond Paul , Russ Tom C. , Murphy Lee , Cooper James D. , Burr Karen , Selvaraj Bhuvaneish T. , Browne Cathy , Svendsen Clive N. , Cowley Sally A. , Deary Ian J. , Chandran Siddharthan , Spires-Jones Tara , Sareen Dhruv
Published: February 2020

Cognitive decline is among the most feared aspects of ageing. We have generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from 24 people from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936, whose cognitive ability was tested in childhood and in older age. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were reprogrammed using non-integrating oriP/EBNA1 backbone plasmids expressing six iPSC reprogramming factors (OCT3/4 (POU5F1), SOX2, KLF4, L-Myc, shp53, Lin28, SV40LT). All lines demonstrated STR matched karyotype and pluripotency was validated by multiple methods. These iPSC lines are a valuable resource to study molecular mechanisms underlying individual differences in cognitive ageing and resilience to age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Attractor-like spatial representations in the Subicular Complex network
Authors: Sharma Apoorv , Nair Indrajith R. , Doreswamy Yoganarasimha
Published: February 2020

Distinct computations are performed at multiple brain regions during encoding of the spatial environments. Neural representations in the hippocampal, entorhinal and head direction (HD) networks during spatial navigation have been clearly documented, while the representational properties of the Subicular Complex (SC) network is rather unexplored, even though it has extensive anatomical connections with various brain regions involved in spatial information processing. Here, we report a global cue controlled highly coherent representation of the cue-conflict environment in the SC network, along with strong coupling between HD cells and Spatial cells. We propose that the attractor dynamics in the SC network might play a critical role in orientation of the spatial representations, thus providing a “reference map” of the environment for further processing at other networks.
Disapproval from romantic partners, friends and parents: source of criticism regulates prefrontal cortex activity
Authors: Neoh Michelle Jin-Yee , Azhari Atiqah , Mulatti Claudio , Bornstein Marc H. , Esposito Gianluca
Published: February 2020

The prevalence of criticism in everyday social situations, and its empirically demonstrated association with psychopathology, highlight the importance of understanding neural mechanisms underlying the perception and response of individuals to criticism. However, neuroimaging studies to date have been limited largely to maternal criticism. The present study aims to investigate neural responses to criticism originating from three different relationship types: romantic partners, friends, and parents. Perceived criticism ratings for these relationships from 49 participants were collected. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure changes in oxygenated haemoglobin levels in the prefrontal cortex when participants read vignettes describing three different scenarios of criticism. Participants were randomly assigned to 3 groups where the given description of the relationship of the protagonist to the source of criticism for each vignette was randomised. A significant interaction between relationship type and perceived criticism ratings for mothers was found in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Compared to low perceived criticism, high perceived criticism individuals showed increased activation reading vignettes describing criticism from romantic partners and parents but decreased activation for those from friends. Findings contribute to understanding neural responses to criticism as observed from a third-party perspective. Future studies can look into differentiating neural responses of personalised experiences of criticism and third-party observations.
Integrating multiple experimental data to determine conformational ensembles of an intrinsically disordered protein
Authors: Gomes Gregory-Neal W. , Krzeminski Mickaël , Namini Ashley , Martin Erik. W. , Mittag Tanja , Head-Gordon Teresa , Forman-Kay Julie D. , Gradinaru Claudiu C.
Published: February 2020

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have fluctuating heterogeneous conformations, which makes structural characterization challenging, but of great interest, since their conformational ensembles are the link between their sequences and functions. An accurate description of IDP conformational ensembles depends crucially on the amount and quality of the experimental data, how it is integrated, and if it supports a consistent structural picture. We have used an integrative modelling approach to understand how conformational restraints imposed by the most common structural techniques for IDPs: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and single-molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET) reach concordance on structural ensembles for Sic1 and phosphorylated Sic1 (pSic1). To resolve apparent discrepancies between smFRET and SAXS, we integrated SAXS data with non-smFRET (NMR) data and reserved the new smFRET data for Sic1 and pSic1 as an independent validation. The consistency of the SAXS/NMR restrained ensembles with smFRET, which was not guaranteed a priori, indicates that the perturbative effects of NMR or smFRET labels on the Sic1 and pSic1 ensembles are minimal. Furthermore, the mutual agreement with such a diverse set of experimental data suggest that details of the generated ensembles can now be examined with a high degree of confidence to reveal distinguishing features of Sic1 vs. pSic1. From the experimentally well supported ensembles, we find they are consistent with independent biophysical models of Sic1’s ultrasensitive binding to its partner Cdc4. Our results underscore the importance of integrative modelling in calculating and drawing biological conclusions from IDP conformational ensembles.
Crystal structure of a nickel compound comprising two nickel(II) complexes with different ligand environments: [Ni(tren)(H2O)2][Ni(H2O)6](SO4)2
Authors: González Nieves Karilys , Piñero Cruz Dalice M.
Published: February 2020

The title compound, diaqua[tris(2-aminoethyl)amine]nickel(II) hexaaquanickel(II) bis(sulfate), [Ni(C6H18N4)(H2O)2][Ni(H2O)6](SO4)2 or [Ni(tren)(H2O)2][Ni(H2O)6](SO4)2, consists of two octahedral nickel complexes within the same unit cell. These metal complexes are formed from the reaction of [Ni(H2O)6](SO4) and the ligand tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren). The crystals of the title compound are purple, different from those of the starting complex [Ni(H2O)6](SO4), which are turquoise. The reaction was performed both in a 1:1 and 1:2 metal–ligand molar ratio, always yielding the co-precipitation of the two types of crystals. The asymmetric unit of the title compound, which crystallizes in the space group Pnma, consists of two half NiII complexes and a sulfate counter-anion. The mononuclear cationic complex [Ni(tren)(H2O)2]2+ comprises an Ni ion, the tren ligand and two water molecules, while the mononuclear complex [Ni(H2O)6]2+ consists of another Ni ion surrounded by six coordinated water molecules. The [Ni(tren)(H2O)2] and [Ni(H2O)6] subunits are connected to the SO4
2− counter-anions through hydrogen bonding, thus consolidating the crystal structure.
Bulky 2,6-disubstituted aryl siloxanes and a disilanamine
Authors: Marszaukowski Flavia , Wohnrath Karen , Boeré René T.
Published: February 2020

The crystal structures of 5-bromo-1,3-di-tert-butyl-2-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]benzene, C17H29BrOSi, (I), 1,3-di-tert-butyl-2-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]benzene, C17H30OSi, (II), and N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,1,1-trimethyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)silanamine, C18H35NSi2, (III), are reported. Compound (I) crystallizes in space group P21/c with Z′ = 1, (II) in Pnma with Z′ = 0.5 and (III) in Cmcm with Z′ = 0.25. Consequently, the molecules of (II) are constrained by m and those of (III) by m2m site symmetries. Despite this, both (I) and (II) are distorted towards mild boat conformations, as is typical of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-substituted phenyl compounds, reflecting the high local steric pressure of the flanking alkyl groups. Compound (III) by contrast is planar and symmetric, and this lack of distortion is compatible with the lower steric pressure of the flanking 2,6-diisopropyl substituents.
Hydronium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide–18-crown-6 (1/1)
Authors: Kitada Atsushi , Funasako Yusuke , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Hagiwara Rika , Inokuchi Makoto , Fukami Kazuhiro , Murase Kuniaki
Published: February 2020

The structure of the title compound, H3O+·C2F6NO4S2
−·C12H24O6 or [H3O+·C12H24O6][N(SO2CF3)2
−], which is an ionic liquid with a melting point of 341–343 K, has been determined at 113 K. The asymmetric unit consists of two crystallographically independent 18-crown-6 molecules, two hydronium ions and two bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide anions; each 18-crown-6 molecule complexes with a hydronium ion. In one 18-crown-6 molecule, a part of the ring exhibits conformational disorder over two sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.533 (13):0.467 (13). One hydronium ion is complexed with the ordered 18-crown-6 molecule via O—H...O hydrogen bonds with H2OH...OC distances of 1.90 (6)–2.19 (7) Å, and the other hydronium ion with the disordered crown molecule with distances of 1.85 (6)–2.36 (6) Å. The hydronium ions are also linked to the anions via O—H...F hydrogen bonds. The crystal studied was found to be a racemic twin with a component ratio of 0.55 (13):0.45 (13).
The impact of market orientation on innovativeness: evidence from Yemeni SMEs
Authors: Alhakimi Wail , Mahmoud Mohammed
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of market orientation on small and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs) innovativeness in Yemen.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses empirical data collected from 206 managers, owners and operators of SME in Sana'a. By using exploratory and quantitative methods, the collected data was examined using descriptive, correlation and regression analyses.

Findings

The results indicated that market orientation, as a whole, has a significant impact on SME innovativeness. Specifically, while the two dimensions – customer orientation and supplier orientation – have a significant impact on SME innovativeness, the other two dimensions – competitor and inter-functional coordination – do not have a significant impact on SME innovativeness.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses only on four factors that have an influence over SME innovativeness based on the perspective of managers.

Practical implications

SMEs represent the largest portion of businesses in Yemen’s private sector. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will help SMEs’ owners and managers to better understand market orientation and the significant impact it has on SME innovativeness.

Originality/value

The value of this research work is evident from the fact that the market orientation models have neglected the part of suppliers (upstream supply chain) in generating superior value for customers, even though they have concentrated on the role of customers (downstream supply chain) and competitors.
Earnings management prior to private debt issuance
Authors: Ater Brandon , Hansen Thomas Bowe
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent to which firms manage earnings prior to private debt issuance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is an empirical archival research paper using financial statement data and data related to private debt issuance.

Findings

The results indicate that, on average, firms engage in income-increasing earnings management in the period prior to a new private debt issuance. In addition, it was found that this income-increasing earnings management is limited to firms which have engaged in income-increasing earnings management to a greater extent in prior years.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides insight into how managers’ balance competing incentives to use income-increasing earnings management to obtain more favorable lending terms, and to use income-decreasing earnings management to reduce the risk of a future debt covenant violation. The results indicate that firms’ incentive to use income-increasing earnings management dominates. However, reputational concerns significantly constrain firms’ earnings management decisions prior to private debt issuance.

Originality/value

The paper fills a notable void in the literature by investigating firms’ earnings management activity prior to private lending agreements, and thereby provides new insights into both the relation between private debt and accounting quality, and the literature investigating the use of earnings management to avoid debt covenant violations.
Why information technology is constrained in tackling tax noncompliance in developing countries
Authors: Umar Mohammed Abdullahi , Masud Abdulsalam
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the reasons for the large scale tax noncompliance prevalent in underdeveloped countries despite many years of information technology (IT)-led tax administration reforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on in-depth interviews with 18 senior tax administration officials. Their experiences were used to construct a grounded theory to explain the constraint of IT in tackling the prevalent tax noncompliance in underdeveloped countries.

Findings

First, IT is not immune to the systemic corruption prevalent in many developing countries; hence, it is quickly compromised. Second, IT can be efficient in dealing with registered taxpayers but cannot deal with the overwhelming large numbers of operators in the informal sector. Third, E-tax administration, which is a hallmark of IT-led tax administrations in advanced countries, is very slow to catch up in developing countries. A computerized tax administration alone, as currently obtainable in developing countries, is not enough to engender large usage of e-filing. Businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), need IT infrastructure as well to align with tax administration. Unfortunately, basic IT infrastructure is yet to be available to a large section of SMEs in developing countries.

Research limitations/implications

Underdeveloped countries are diverse. This study is from a single country and there may be need to take note of other countries’ peculiarities. However, Nigeria constitutes a good case study.

Practical implications

There is need to reform the people and systems along with IT originality/value.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to explore this very important question and among the first to explore tax administrators’ perspectives.