bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ketamine selectively enhances AMPA neurotransmission onto a subgroup of identified serotoninergic neurons of the rat dorsal raphe
Authors: Hmaied Cyrine , Koulchitsky Stanislav , Gladwyn-Ng Ivan , Seutin Vincent
Published: August 2020

Although the fast antidepressant effect of ketamine is now well established clinically, neither its mechanism(s) nor its main site(s) of action is clearly defined. Because enhanced serotoninergic (5-HT) transmission is an important part of the antidepressant effect of various drug classes, we asked whether ketamine and one of its metabolites (hydroxynorketamine [HNK]), both used in their racemic form, may modulate the excitatory drive onto these neurons.

Using whole-cell recordings from pharmacologically identified 5-HT and non-5-HT neurons in juvenile rat dorsal raphe slices, we found that both ketamine and HNK (10 µM) increase excitatory AMPA neurotransmission onto a subset (50%) of 5-HT neurons, whereas other 5-HT cells were unaffected. Both compounds increased the amplitude as well as the frequency of spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents (sEPSCs) mediated by AMPA receptors. The effect of ketamine was more robust than the one of HNK, since it significantly enhanced the charge transfer through AMPA channels, whereas HNK did not. The increase in the excitatory drive induced by ketamine was dependent on NMDA receptor blockade. In the presence of tetrodotoxin, the effect of ketamine was markedly reduced. Non-5-HT neurons, on the other hand, were unaffected by the drugs.

We conclude that ketamine and HNK increase the excitatory drive onto a subset of 5-HT neurons by promoting glutamate release and possibly also through a postsynaptic action. The effect of ketamine is dependent on NMDA receptor modulation and appears to involve a network effect. These findings improve our understanding of the fast-acting antidepressant effect of ketamine.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

The mechanisms of ketamine’s antidepressant effect are currently controversial. We asked whether the drug would produce changes is the strength of synaptic inputs onto serotoninergic neurons of the dorsal raphe. We found that this is indeed the case in about half of these neurons. The action of ketamine was mimicked to some extent by its well-known metabolite hydroxynorketamine, was dependent on NMDA receptor activation and probably involved a local network effect. It remains to be determined if the differential susceptibility of serotoninergic neurons to the drug correlates with any differential inputs and/or outputs.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals immune response of intestinal cell types to viral infection
Authors: Triana Sergio , Stanifer Megan L. , Shahraz Mohammed , Mukenhirn Markus , Kee Carmon , Ordoñez-Rueda Diana , Paulsen Malte , Benes Vladimir , Boulant Steeve , Alexandrov Theodore
Published: August 2020

Human intestinal epithelial cells form a primary barrier protecting us from pathogens, yet only limited knowledge is available about individual contribution of each cell type to mounting an immune response against infection. Here, we developed a pipeline combining single-cell RNA-Seq and highly-multiplex RNA imaging and applied it to human intestinal organoids infected with human astrovirus, a model human enteric virus. We found that interferon controls the infection and that astrovirus infects all major cell types and lineages with a preferential infection of proliferating cells. Intriguingly, each intestinal epithelial cell lineage has a unique basal expression of interferon-stimulated genes and, upon astrovirus infection, undergoes an antiviral transcriptional reprogramming by upregulating distinct sets of interferon-stimulated genes. These findings suggest that in the human intestinal epithelium, each cell lineage plays a unique role in resolving virus infection. Our pipeline can be applicable to other organoids and viruses, opening new avenues to unravel roles of individual cell types in viral pathogenesis.
The double-stranded DNA-binding proteins TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 form a telomeric complex with POT-1
Authors: Dietz Sabrina , Almeida Miguel Vasconcelos , Nischwitz Emily , Schreier Jan , Viceconte Nikenza , Fradera-Sola Albert , Renz Christian , Ceron-Noriega Alejandro , Ulrich Helle D. , Kappei Dennis , Ketting René F. , Butter Falk
Published: August 2020

Telomeres are bound by dedicated protein complexes, like shelterin in mammals, which protect telomeres from DNA damage. In the nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans, a comprehensive understanding of the proteins interacting with the telomere sequence is lacking. Here, we harnessed a quantitative proteomics approach to screen for proteins binding toC. elegans telomeres, and identified TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, two paralogs that associate to telomeres in vitro and in vivo. TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 are expressed in the germline and during embryogenesis.tebp-1andtebp-2mutants display strikingly distinct phenotypes:tebp-1mutants have longer telomeres than wild-type animals, whiletebp-2mutants display shorter telomeres and a mortal germline, a phenotype characterized by transgenerational germline deterioration. Notably,tebp-1;tebp-2double mutant animals have synthetic sterility, with germlines showing signs of severe mitotic and meiotic arrest. TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 form a telomeric complex with the known single-stranded telomere-binding proteins POT-1, POT-2, and MRT-1. Furthermore, we find that POT-1 bridges the double- stranded binders TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, with the single-stranded binders POT-2 and MRT-1. These results describe the first telomere-binding complex inC. elegans, with TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, two double-stranded telomere binders required for fertility and that mediate opposite telomere dynamics.
Evolution of virulence in emerging epidemics: inference from an evolution experiment
Authors: Blanquart François , Berngruber Thomas , Choisy Marc , Gandon Sylvain
Published: August 2020

Inference using mathematical models of infectious disease dynamics is a powerful tool to analyse epidemiological data and elucidate pathogen life cycles. Key epidemiological parameters can be estimated from demographic time series by computing the likelihood of alternative models of pathogen transmission. Here we use this inference approach to analyze data from an evolution experiment in which we monitored both the epidemiology and the evolution of the temperate bacteriophageλduring an epidemic. We estimate parameter values for all the life-history traits of two distinct strains of the virus. In particular, we estimate the ability of the two virus strains to modulate plastically the rate of lysogenization with the multiplicity of infection. Our work illustrates how inference from experimental evolution data can feedback on the development of models aiming to predict the epidemiology and evolution of infectious diseases.
Optimal synaptic dynamics for memory maintenance in the presence of noise
Authors: Raman Dhruva V , O’Leary Timothy
Published: August 2020

Synaptic connections in many brain areas have been found to fluctuate significantly, with substantial turnover and remodelling occurring over hours to days. Remarkably, this flux in connectivity persists in the absence of overt learning or behavioural change. What proportion of these ongoing fluctuations can be attributed to systematic plasticity processes that maintain memories and neural circuit function? We show under general conditions that the optimal magnitude of systematic plasticity is typically less than the magnitude of perturbations due to internal biological noise. Thus, for any given amount of unavoidable noise, 50% or more of total synaptic turnover should be effectively random for optimal memory maintenance. Our analysis does not depend on specific neural circuit architectures or plasticity mechanisms and predicts previously unexplained experimental measurements of the activity-dependent component of ongoing plasticity.
Reprogramming enriches for somatic cell clones with small scale mutations in cancer-associated genes
Authors: Kosanke Maike , Osetek Katarzyna , Haase Alexandra , Wiehlmann Lutz , Davenport Colin , Schwarzer Adrian , Adams Felix , Schambach Axel , Merkert Sylvia , Wunderlich Stephanie , Menke Sandra , Dorda Marie , Martin Ulrich
Published: August 2020

Recent studies demonstrated that the mutational load in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is largely derived from their parental cells, but it is still unknown whether reprogramming may enrich for individual mutations. 30 hiPSC lines were analyzed by whole exome sequencing. High accuracy amplicon sequencing showed that all analyzed small scale variants pre-existed in their parental cells and that individual mutations present in small subpopulations of parental cells become enriched among hiPSC clones during reprogramming. Among those, putatively actionable driver mutations affect genes related to cell cycle control, cell death and pluripotency, and may confer a selective advantage during reprogramming. Finally, a shRNA-based experimental approach was applied to provide additional evidence for the individual impact of such genes on the reprogramming efficiency. In conclusion, we show that enriched mutations in curated onco- and tumor suppressor genes may account for an increased tumor risk and impact the clinical value of patient-derived hiPSCs.
Munc13 binds and recruits SNAP25 to chaperone SNARE complex assembly
Authors: Kalyana Sundaram R Venkat , Jin Huaizhou , Li Feng , Shu Tong , Coleman Jeff , Yang Jie , Pincet Frederic , Zhang Yongli , Krishnakumar Shyam S. , Rothman James E.
Published: August 2020

Synaptic vesicle fusion is mediated by membrane-bridging complexes formed by SNARE proteins - VAMP2 on the vesicle and Syntaxin-1/SNAP25 on the pre-synaptic membrane. Accumulating evidence suggest that chaperones Munc18-1 and Munc13-1 co-operatively catalyze SNARE assembly via an intermediate ‘template’ complex containing Syntaxin-1 and VAMP2. How SNAP25 is chaperoned into this nascent complex remains a mystery. Here we report that Munc13-1 recruits SNAP25 to initiate the ternary SNARE complex assembly by direct binding, as judged by bulk FRET spectroscopy and single-molecule optical tweezer studies. Detailed structure-function analyses show that the binding is mediated by the Munc13-1 MUN domain and is specific for the SNAP25 ‘linker’ region that connects the two SNARE motifs. Consequently, freely diffusing SNAP25 molecules on phospholipid bilayers are concentrated and presumably bound in ~1:1 stoichiometry by the self-assembled Munc13-1 nanoclusters. Our data suggests that Munc13-1’s capacity to bind all three synaptic SNARE proteins likely underlie its chaperone function.
Effects of financial distress and financing constraints on trade credit provisions
Authors: Osinubi Igbekele Sunday
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Existing studies that documented the effect of financial distress on trade credit provisions did not include measures financial constraint. It is possible that financial distress is tie to financial constraints, and both financial distress and financial constraints mutually reinforce each other in their effects on trade credit provision. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of financial constraint and financial distress on trade credit provisions in the UK FTSE 350 listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs panel data in the estimation of the determinants of accounts payables and accounts receivables of the UK FTSE 350 firms from 2009 to 2017.

Findings

This study finds that financial distress has significant positive effect on accounts payables and a significant negative effect on accounts receivables. Financial constraints have significant negative effect on accounts payables and a significant positive effect on accounts receivables.

Practical implications

Trade creditor desiring to maintain an enduring product-market relationship grant more concessions to customer in financial distress. The amount of trade credit that sellers provide to financially constrained firm is an increasing function of the buyer's creditworthiness. The urgent cash needs of financially distressed firms lead them to sell trade receivables to factoring company leading to reduction in trade receivables. Firm facing external financing constraints increase trade credit to customers in anticipation of cash flow inflow to enhance liquidity.

Originality/value

This study shows that financial distress and financial constraints mutually reinforce each other in their effects on trade credit provisions, and firm's financing condition contributes to divergence in trade credit policies.
Optimized crew selection for scheduling of repetitive projects
Authors: Arabpour Roghabadi Mohammadjavad , Moselhi Osama
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify optimum crew formations at unit execution level of repetitive projects that minimize project duration, project cost, crew work interruptions and interruption costs, simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

The model consists of four modules. The first module quantifies uncertainties associated with the crew productivity rate and quantity of work using the fuzzy set theory. The second module identifies feasible boundaries for activity relaxation. The third module computes direct cost, indirect cost and interruption costs, including idle crew cost as well as mobilization and demobilization costs. The fourth module identifies near-optimum crew formation using a newly developed multi-objective optimization model.

Findings

The developed model was able to provide improvements of 0.2, 16.86 and 12.98% for minimization of project cost, crew work interruptions and interruption costs from US$1,505,960, 8.3 days and US$8,300, as recently reported in the literature, to US$1,502,979, 6.9 days and US$7,222, respectively, without impacting the optimized project duration.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in its activity-relaxation free float that considers the effect of postponing early finish dates of repetitive activities on crew work interruptions. The introduced new float allows for calculating the required crew productivity rate that minimizes crew work interruptions without delaying successor activities and without impacting the optimized project duration. It safeguards against assignment of unnecessary costly resources.
The sharing economy: a bibliometric analysis of the state-of-the-art
Authors: Kraus Sascha , Li Hongbo , Kang Qi , Westhead Paul , Tiberius Victor
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Quantitative bibliometric approaches were used to statistically and objectively explore patterns in the sharing economy literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Journal (co-)citation analysis, author (co-)citation analysis, institution citation and co-operation analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, document (co-)citation analysis and burst detection analysis were conducted based on a bibliometric data set relating to sharing economy publications.

Findings

Sharing economy research is multi- and interdisciplinary. Journals focused upon products liability, organizing framework, profile characteristics, diverse economies, consumption system and everyday life themes. Authors focused upon profile characteristics, sharing economy organization, social connections, first principle and diverse economy themes. No institution dominated the research field. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified organizing framework, tourism industry, consumer behavior, food waste, generous exchange and quality cue as research themes. Document co-citation analysis found research themes relating to the tourism industry, exploring public acceptability, agri-food system, commercial orientation, products liability and social connection. Most cited authors, institutions and documents are reported.

Research limitations/implications

The study did not exclusively focus on publications in top-tier journals. Future studies could run analyses relating to top-tier journals alone, and then run analyses relating to less renowned journals alone. To address the potential fuzzy results concern, reviews could focus on business and/or management research alone. Longitudinal reviews conducted over several points in time are warranted. Future reviews could combine qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Originality/value

We contribute by analyzing information relating to the population of all sharing economy articles. In addition, we contribute by employing several quantitative bibliometric approaches that enable the identification of trends relating to the themes and patterns in the growing literature.
Impact of Lean, Six Sigma and environmental sustainability on the performance of SMEs
Authors: Ali Yousaf , Younus Ahsan , Khan Amin Ullah , Pervez Hamza
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of lean, Six Sigma and environmental sustainability on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. The firm performance has been measured in terms of operational, business and environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey-based methodology is adopted for collecting data from the main cities of Punjab, Pakistan. SMEs related to different industries such as service, manufacturing, automotive and retail were targeted. The data gathered were ordinal, and Spearman's correlation test was used as the data analysis technique.

Findings

The findings indicated that the three management styles positively impacted the environmental performance of SMEs. Moreover, no significant relationship was found between the three management styles and the SMEs' business and operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

To counter the inefficient and wasteful practices of SMEs and their detrimental impact on overall firm performance, SMEs have to refocus and reconfigure their management strategies. It is implied to use lean, Six Sigma and environmental sustainability practices to achieve this goal.

Originality/value

The study empirically investigates the impact of lean, Six Sigma and environmental sustainability on the performance of SMEs in Pakistan, which is the first study to be conducted in the Pakistani context.
Reliability parameter estimation of repairable systems with imperfect maintenance, repair and overhaul
Authors: Sharma Garima , Rai Rajiv Nandan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Industries generally require good maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities. Maintenance activities at MRO cover the normal scheduled check-ups known as scheduled preventive maintenance (SPM) whereas an overhaul reviews and rejuvenates the complete system at a scheduled time. The literature is reasonably stocked with reliability modelling of repairable systems considering both the corrective maintenance (CM) and SPM as imperfect. However, in all these situations the overhaul is modelled as perfect repair. Thus, the purpose of this research paper is to develop a mathematical model for the estimation of reliability parameters considering the complete MRO as imperfect.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes arithmetic reduction of age (Kijima I) based virtual age model to estimate reliability parameters by considering the complete MRO as imperfect and provides the likelihood and log-likelihood functions for parameter estimation of the proposed model and also presents the various extensions of the proposed model.

Findings

For analysis, two real-time data sets of two components, i.e. turbostarter and plunger pump are considered. The analysis mainly focuses on intensity function and availability of components. The availability analysis of the components directly affects the cost analysis. It is very important to analyze the realistic trend of availability, and the comparative analysis shows that the assumption of perfect overhaul overestimates and minimal overhaul underestimates the performance of the components whereas assumption of imperfect overhaul portraits more sensible deteriorating and availability trend of the components.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology in this paper is a novice and not available in the literature.
Inclusive identities: re-imaging the future of the retail brand?
Authors: Boyd Callum S. , Ritch Elaine L. , Dodd Christopher A. , McColl Julie
Published: August 2020

Purpose

to examine consumers' perceptions of retail brand representations of gender-oriented and/or sexuality-oriented identities. The authors explore the value of developing more progressive, inclusive brand values to support more effective retail brand communications and imagery.

Design/methodology/approach

Photo elicitation, utilising LGBTQIA+/sexuo-gendered imagery from retail brand marketing communications, facilitated discussion within focus groups representing various genders, age generations and sexualities.

Findings

Younger generations indicate a preference for fluid gender and sexuality and endorse retail brands that represent this progressive understanding. Gender and age moderate preferences for representative imagery, with older males more resistant to sexuo-gendered messages and females of all ages more accepting.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited in generalisability, geography and demographics. The focussed approach did, however, enable collection of rich, insightful data to underpin evaluations of communicative brand values.

Practical implications

The inclusion of diverse and fluid sexuo-gendered identities within the brand values of retailers would enable effective targeting of consumers across a range of more traditional cohorts.

Social implications

The evolving ideology towards inclusiveness, identified within the generational cohorts, demonstrates social change through progressive acceptance of more fluid gendered and sexual identities.

Originality/value

The research adopts a novel approach to examining diverse, sexuo-gendered imagery within gendered and generational cohorts, offering qualitative examples of a progressive social ideology.
Big data use and its outcomes in supply chain context: the roles of information sharing and technological innovation
Authors: Saleem Hamza , Li Yongjun , Ali Zulqurnain , Ayyoub Muhammad , Wang Yu , Mehreen Aqsa
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the use of big data (BDU) in predicting technological innovation, supply chain and SMEs' performance and whether technological innovation mediates the association between BDU and firm performance. Additionally, this research also seeks to explore the moderating effect of information sharing in the association between BDU and technological innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey methods and structural associations in AMOS 24.0., the proposed model was tested on SME managers recruited from the largest economic and manufacturing hub of China, Pearl River Delta.

Findings

The findings suggest that BDU is positively related to technological innovation (product and process) and organizational outcomes (e.g., supply chain and SMEs performance). Technological innovation (i.e., product and process) significantly mediates the association between BDU and organizational outcomes. Moreover, information sharing positively moderates the association between BDU and technological innovations.

Practical implications

This research provides deeper insights into how BDU is useful for SME managers in achieving the firm’s goals. Particularly, SME managers can bring technological innovation into their business processes, overcome the challenges of forecasting, and generate dynamic capabilities for attaining the best SMEs’ performance. Additionally, BDU with information sharing enables SMEs reduce their risk and decrease production costs in their manufacturing process.

Originality/value

Firms always need to adopt new ways to enhance their productivity using available resources. This is the first study that contributes to big data and performance management literature by exploring the moderating and mediation mechanism of information sharing and technological innovation respectively using RBVT. The study and research model enhances our insights on BDU, information sharing, and technological innovation as valuable resources for organizations to improve supply chain performance, which subsequently increases SME productivity. This gap was overlooked by previous researchers in the domain of big data.
Airbnb and hotel revenues in popular Greek destinations
Authors: Apergis Nicholas , Hayat Tasawar , Saeed Tareq
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the role of Airbnb listings on hotel revenues in certain popular Greek tourist destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the role of Airbnb listings on hotel revenues in certain popular Greek tourist destinations. The analysis makes use of the panel GMM method, while the findings document that the Airbnb listings exert a negative impact on hotel revenues.

Findings

The results indicate that it is primarily non-business and low-price hotels that are being influenced, while the hotel industry responds to the competition through lower room prices and not through occupancy rates. The paper documents that although the Airbnb is a new factor in the Greek tourism industry, it has turned into a significant competitor against hotels.

Originality/value

This is the first paper which documents that although Airbnb is a new factor in the Greek tourism industry, it has turned into a significant competitor against hotels. The findings are expected to provide further insights into the workings of the sector and the potential regulated policies needed to be adopted.
QR codes as a tool for receiving feedback about guests’ satisfaction at destinations
Authors: Vuksanović Nikola , Demirović Bajrami Dunja , Petrović Marko D. , Grigorieva Elena M.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the use of Quick Response (QR) code application among the tourists on their satisfaction at a destination regarding information about restaurants’ offer.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative method was implemented in this study. The field study was conducted in 2019 in the two most visited urban destinations in Serbia. The proposed model was examined using partial least squares, and the model fits, composite reliability and convergent validity were assessed. The direction and significance of the relationships were determined by testing all of the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that there was a positive effect of using QR codes. However, the study showed that a QR code cannot completely affect the overall satisfaction at a destination. The analysis of the control variables (age and economic status) showed that individual, demographic and economic factors must be taken into consideration to predict individuals’ behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

To enable the generalization of the results, it is advised to conduct research on cross-cultural levels. Future studies related to the topic could be conveyed in other forms of tourism, as well as in other industries, which would provide a better insight into the application of this technology in the future.

Originality/value

The study enables managers of tourism businesses, especially in hospitality, to better understand the importance of the use of a QR code at a destination as an important marketing tool for getting information, and thus to satisfy guests’ expectations.
Waste, marginal property practices and the circular economy
Authors: Thomas Sean
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of circular economy’s ending of waste on marginal property practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilises doctrinal and theoretical legal analysis, along with theoretical perspectives and qualitative empirical evidence drawn from non-legal academic disciplines.

Findings

The current legalistic conception of waste depends on control and value. The indeterminate status of waste as goods at the margins of consumption attracts attention from legal regimes. This process is evidenced by a commercialised treatment of goods at the margins of consumption, limiting the scope of radical marginal property practices such as freeganism (taking goods abandoned by others, to use such goods).

Social implications

The circular economy aims to end waste. Restriction, and ultimately elimination, of marginal property practices is necessary for circular economy. Freegans will be limited to acting in a “challenge” role, identifying breaches of commercial commodification processes. Control over the use (including disposal) of goods reduces the spaces available for marginal property practices, which in turn raises problematic normative implications for “normal” consumption practices involving waste.

Originality/value

This is the first examination of the impact of circular economy on freeganism. It is also the first sustained application of marginal property theory (van der Walt, 2009) in a legal analysis of circular economy and waste.
Understanding the relationship between green restaurant certification programs and a green restaurant image: the case of TripAdvisor reviews
Authors: Park Eunhye (Olivia) , Kim Woo-Hyuk , Kwon Junehee
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the adoption of green certification programs by restaurants. More specifically, this study has three objectives: to examine the relationships between green certification program scores and customers’ perceptions, duration of green certification and green brand image and food-focused green practices and green brand image.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected 25,098 TripAdvisor reviews, along with associated patron demographics, for 70 green certified restaurants. To investigate the hypotheses, the authors first used structural topic modeling to discover latent themes relevant to green restaurant practices. Thereafter, the authors used factorial Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to examine the association between formal certification participation and customers’ green perceptions.

Findings

The results showed that customers were more likely to perceive a green restaurant image after visiting green certified restaurants with higher certification ratings and green certification periods of longer duration.

Practical implications

The current study contributes to the literature in several ways. First, this study uses post-visit online reviews written by customers of certified green restaurants to understand customers’ natural responses more precisely. Second, the study captures the degree of green commitment by applying information about formal certification programs, where other studies have relied on hypothetical scenarios or survey questions to examine the impact of green attributes on customer perceptions.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the adoption of green certification programs by restaurants empirically with data drawn from actual user-generated content (i.e. TripAdvisor).
Peer Victimization and Mental Health Outcomes for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Youth: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Heiden‐Rootes Katie , Salas Joanne , Moore Rachel , Hasan Shah , Wilson Lauren
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) adolescents are at increased risk of poor mental health due to minority stress, a chronic stress associated discrimination, social rejection, and victimization brought on by prejudicial attitudes towards LGBQ individuals. To improve understanding of the differential impact of various kinds of victimization on mental health outcomes for LGBQ adolescents, we analyzed data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) for victimization and mental health symptom clusters and associations high school youth and compared by sexual orientation and gender.

METHODS

Separate Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted to identify profiles of both victimization and mental health symptoms for participants (N = 15,624). Subsequently, stratified weighted logistic regression models were used on an eligible analytic sample of 11,458 to assess differences in the association of victimization and mental health between LGBQ and heterosexual high school students.

RESULTS

In each LCA, participants were assigned to one of 3 classes for victimization (minimal, 81.3%; bullying, 12.5%; or physical/sexual violence, 6.2%) and 1 of 2 classes for mental health symptoms (minimal, 81.2%; severe, 18.8%). LGBQ participants were overrepresented in physical/sexual violence and bullying victimization profiles. Both bullying and physical/sexual violence profiles were associated with almost 5 times the odds of endorsing severe mental health symptoms.

Conclusions

This study expands our understanding of the relationship between types and effect of peer victimization for LGBQ and heterosexual youth with implications for school health and prevention efforts through increased positive school climate for LGBQ students.
Epidemiological Imaginaries of the Social: Epidemiologists and Pathologies of Modernization in Postcolonial Africa
Authors: Reubi David
Published: August 2020

There is a growing anthropological literature analyzing the place that epidemiological surveillance occupies in contemporary global health. In this article, I build on this literature and take it into new directions by exploring what I call the epidemiological imaginaries of the social. Drawing on science and technology studies, I suggest that epidemiologists help make up the world, articulating complex and normatively loaded visions of social life that both enable and constrain action. More specifically, I argue that epidemiologists tell stories about the type of societies and people that compose the world and that these stories often shape global health policies and programs in powerful ways. To substantiate this argument, I examine epidemiologists’ efforts to map smoking in postcolonial Africa, documenting how they have imagined smokers and smoking through the lense of modernization theory and showing how these imaginaries have shaped tobacco control policies in the region up to this day.
Functional variation in phyllogen, a phyllody‐inducing phytoplasma effector family, attributable to a single amino acid polymorphism
Authors: Iwabuchi Nozomu , Kitazawa Yugo , Maejima Kensaku , Koinuma Hiroaki , Miyazaki Akio , Matsumoto Ouki , Suzuki Takumi , Nijo Takamichi , Oshima Kenro , Namba Shigetou , Yamaji Yasuyuki
Published: August 2020

Flower malformation represented by phyllody is a common symptom of phytoplasma infection induced by a novel family of phytoplasma effectors called phyllogens. Despite the accumulation of functional and structural phyllogen information, the molecular mechanisms of phyllody have not yet been integrated with their evolutionary aspects due to the limited data on their homologs across diverse phytoplasma lineages. Here, we developed a novel universal PCR‐based approach to identify 25 phytoplasma phyllogens related to nine “Candidatus Phytoplasma” species, including four species whose phyllogens have not yet been identified. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the phyllogen family consists of four groups (phyl‐A, ‐B, ‐C, and ‐D) and that the evolutionary relationships of phyllogens were significantly distinct from those of phytoplasmas, suggesting that phyllogens were transferred horizontally among phytoplasma strains and species. Although phyllogens belonging to the phyl‐A, ‐C, and ‐D groups induced phyllody, the phyl‐B group lacked the ability to induce phyllody. Comparative functional analyses of phyllogens revealed that a single amino acid polymorphism in phyl‐B group phyllogens prevented interactions between phyllogens and A‐ and E‐class MADS domain transcription factors (MTFs), resulting in the inability to degrade several MTFs and induce phyllody. Our finding of natural variation in the function of phytoplasma effectors provides new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the aetiology of phytoplasma diseases.
Genome‐wide association analysis of resistance to Pythium ultimum in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Authors: Dramadri Isaac Onziga , Amongi Winnyfred , Kelly James D. , Mugisha Mukankusi Clare
Published: August 2020

Pythium root rot (PRR) caused by Pythium spp. is an important root rot disease affecting common bean productivity. The objective of this study was to conduct a genome‐wide association analysis of resistance to PRR in the common bean of Andean gene pool using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. About 260 genotypes of the Andean diversity panel (ADP) were evaluated under screen house conditions using Pythium ultimum isolate MS61 in Uganda. Sixteen significant signals for resistance to PRR were detected on chromosomes Pv01, Pv02, Pv04, Pv05 and Pv09 using 260K GBS‐based and 6K Beadchip SNPs. Common significant signals were detected on Pv02 and Pv09 for PRR. Positional candidate genes associated with significant SNPs on Pv02 were Phvul.002G119700, 16.97 kb near marker S02_25507837 (25.50 Mb), encoding Subtilase family protein, and Phvul.002G278400 near marker ss715645959 (44.79 Mb) encoding Defensin‐like (DEFL) protein involved in plant defence responses. Based on the relatively high heritability estimates observed for PRR in this study, significant SNP markers associated with genomic regions for resistance to PRR could be validated for marker‐assisted breeding in Andean beans.
Development of Gasoline Direct Injection Engine for Improving Brake Thermal Efficiency Over 44%
Authors: Jung Dongwon , Lee Byeongseok , Son Jinwook , Woo Soohyung , Kim Youngnam
Published: August 2020

This study demonstrates the effects of technologies applied for the development of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine for improving the brake thermal efficiency (BTE). The test engine has a relatively high stroke to bore ratio of 1.4 with a displacement of 2156 cm3. All experiments have been conducted for stoichiometric operation at 2000 RPM. First, since compression ratio (CR) is directly related to the thermal efficiency, four CR were explored for operation without exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Then, for the same four CR, EGR was used to suppress the knock occurrence at high loads, and its effect on initial and main combustion duration was compared. Second, the shape of intake port was revised to increase tumble flow for reducing combustion duration, and extending EGR-stability limit further. Then, as an effective method to ensure stable combustion for EGR-diluted stoichiometric operation, the use of twin spark ignition (SI) system is examined by modifying both valve diameters of intake and exhaust, and its effect is compared against that of single spark ignition. In addition, the layout of twin spark ignition was also examined for the location of front-rear and intake-exhaust. To get the maximum BTE at high load, 12 V electronic super charger (eSC) was applied. Under the condition of using 12 V eSC, the effect of intake cam duration was identified by increasing from 260 deg to 280 deg. Finally, 48 V eSC was applied with the longer intake camshaft duration of 280 deg. As a result, the maximum BTE of 44% can be achieved for stoichiometric operation with EGR.
An asymmetrical double torsion pendulum for studying coupled harmonic motion
Authors: Wang Yuntian , Duan Xintong , Shao Mingzhen , Wang Cailin , Zhang Huan
Published: August 2020

In this study, a simple asymmetrical double torsion pendulum is built and operated to study coupled harmonic motion. The setup, which consists of two circular inertia members suspended horizontally at different locations on a vertical guitar wire, has a close mechanical similarity to a wall-spring-mass-spring-mass system. The restoring torque of the twisted guitar wire drives the two inertia members to rotate in the horizontal plane. A smartphone and target-tracking software are used to measure the normal frequencies, which are found to reside in two different frequency bands separated by an obvious frequency gap. The described setup has several pedagogical advantages, including easy accessibility, good accuracy, and continuous tunability, and is thus an effective means for engaging students with topics such as mechanical similarity, moment of inertia, torque constant, normal frequency, and target tracking. Teachers can also use the setup as a simple classical analogy to interpret the mechanical shift of the vibrational frequency of a diatomic molecule adsorbed on a sample surface.
Urban growth and the emergent statistics of cities
Authors: Bettencourt Luis M. A.
Published: August 2020

Growth, statistics, and scaling are shown to be interdependent facets of the same underlying statistical dynamics of cities.
GULP1 regulates the NRF2-KEAP1 signaling axis in urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Hayashi Masamichi , Guida Elisa , Inokawa Yoshikuni , Goldberg Rachel , Reis Leonardo O. , Ooki Akira , Pilli Manohar , Sadhukhan Pritam , Woo Juhyung , Choi Woonyoung , Izumchenko Evgeny , Gonzalez Leonel Maldonado , Marchionni Luigi , Zhavoronkov Alex , Brait Mariana , Bivalacqua Trinity , Baras Alexander , Netto George J. , Koch Wayne , Singh Anju , Hoque Mohammad O.
Published: August 2020

GULP1
silencing increases NRF2-mediated antioxidant signaling that promotes urothelial carcinoma growth.
De novo prediction of cancer-associated T cell receptors for noninvasive cancer detection
Authors: Beshnova Daria , Ye Jianfeng , Onabolu Oreoluwa , Moon Benjamin , Zheng Wenxin , Fu Yang-Xin , Brugarolas James , Lea Jayanthi , Li Bo
Published: August 2020

A cancer evaluation criterion based on T cell receptors is potentially useful for noninvasive early cancer detection.
Functional effects of chimeric antigen receptor co-receptor signaling domains in human regulatory T cells
Authors: Dawson Nicholas A. J. , Rosado-Sánchez Isaac , Novakovsky German E. , Fung Vivian C. W. , Huang Qing , McIver Emma , Sun Grace , Gillies Jana , Speck Madeleine , Orban Paul C. , Mojibian Majid , Levings Megan K.
Published: August 2020

Comparison of 10 co-receptor variant CARs revealed a requirement for CD28wt for optimal suppression by human regulatory T cells.
It’s all about the X
Authors: Vellanki Priyathama
Published: August 2020

Genes expressed on the X chromosome affect body weight and body fat composition.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Pseudenhygromyxa
sp. Strain WMMC2535, a Marine Ascidian-Associated Bacterium
Authors: Chanana Shaurya , Braun Doug R. , Rajski Scott R. , Bugni Tim S.
Published: August 2020

Pseudenhygromyxa
WMMC2535, a representative of the myxobacteria (family
Nannocystaceae
), was isolated from a ragged sea hare in the Florida Keys, and its genome was sequenced using PacBio technology. The WMMC2535 genome sequence is the first of this genus and validates the notion that myxobacteria represent outstanding sources of structurally diverse natural products.
Improved
De Novo
Draft Genome Sequence of the Nocavionin-Producing Type Strain Nocardia terpenica IFM 0706 and Comparative Genomics with the Closely Related Strain Nocardia terpenica IFM 0406
Authors: Buchmann Anina , Gross Harald
Published: August 2020

We report an improved
de novo
draft genome sequence of the human-pathogenic strain
Nocardia terpenica
IFM 0706
T
. The resequencing unveiled that the genome size is larger than anticipated, reducing significantly the number of contigs and building a basis for comparison with the closely related strain
N. terpenica
IFM 0406.
P08 Ten-fold medication errors in a tertiary paediatric hospital
Authors: Cubbin Caitlin
Published: August 2020

Aim

To perform a retrospective analysis of tenfold medication errors between the 1st January 2017 and the 31st December 2018 and identify contributing factors.

Method

Information from all tenfold medication errors reported to the Ulysses system between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2018 which met the criteria was inputted into a data collection sheet. Information gathered included the age of the patient, the time the error occurred, the location within the hospital, the point in the medication process the error occurred, the drug involved and the NCC-MERP category of harm assigned to the error. Reports were excluded if they were repeated entries or if they did not meet the criteria for a tenfold medication error. The total number of medication errors reported per month and the total number of admissions per month was also identified. Once data collection was complete, these errors were qualitatively analysed and compared with those of a previous audit using errors reported from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2014.

Results

Tenfold errors were most likely to be reported in the Critical Care areas (34.4% of tenfold errors being reported over the two-year period). Prescribing was the most common origin of error accounting for 54.3% of tenfold errors in 2017 and 51.7% in 2018. The most common category of harm assigned was category B (no harm – error did not reach patient) with a total of 40.6% of the errors reported. The age group with the highest number of errors reported was 29–364 days with 39.3% tenfold medication errors reported over the two-year period. Morphine was the most common drug involved accounting for 13.8% of errors reported.

Conclusion

The findings from this report mirror the results from the previous audit performed in 2014 in respect to error origin and patient age. Tenfold prescribing errors have more chance of being intercepted before reaching the patient due to there being more steps in the process before administration, therefore it is less likely that errors that originate at prescribing will reach the patient. Tenfold administration errors were more likely to reach the patient and therefore to cause harm. Morphine was the most reported drug in both 2017/18 and the 2013/14 audit suggesting that more work needs to be done on the safe use of opioids. Critical Care was the location with the highest number of errors reported, patients in this area often require complex medication regimes increasing the likelihood of being involved in a medication error.1

Reference

Bower R, Coad J, Manning J, et al. A qualitative, exploratory study of nurses’ decision-making when interrupted during medication administration within the paediatric intensive care unit. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2018;44:11–17.
Bacteria-induced nasal necrosis with negative cultures
Authors: Tilak Ashwini Milind , Bishop Jessica , Jeyarajan Harishanker , Grayson Jessica
Published: August 2020

A 79-year-old man with liver failure, hypertension and hyperlipidemia presented with a 1.5-month history of progressive nasal crusting and pain on the inside of the nose, advancing into a necrotic columella and philtrum. On rigid endoscopy, debris extended to middle and inferior turbinate to midway posteriorly. Initial culture swabs and CT were negative. The patient underwent endoscopic biopsy of the lesion, with histopathological findings revealing abundant acute inflammation and minute fragments of atypical squamous epithelium, favouring reactive atypia. Non-invasive fungal hyphae were identified. Bacterial cultures revealedStaphylococcus epidermidis,Corynebacterium accolens,Curvulariaspecies andPseudomonas putida. A current literature search failed to find other published cases ofP. putidanasal infections.P. putidais generally difficult to isolate on swab culture as the surrounding tissue is necrosed; this case highlights the importance of reconsidering bacterial infection and obtaining a tissue biopsy in the case of non-healing necrotic-appearing tissue with negative culture swab and CT without evidence of mass.