bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bureaucratic responsiveness in times of political crisis: The case of presidential impeachment
Authors: Lee Don S. , Park Soonae
Published: October 2020

The question of who controls the bureaucracy has been widely debated in the political science and public administration literatures. However, to whom bureaucrats are responsive and to what extent are relatively unknown, particularly outside the US. To understand how organizational behaviour changes according to external political environments, we leverage a unique setting, that of the 2016 presidential impeachment in South Korea. We analyse original experimental data from more than 1,000 civil servants, gathered as part of a nationally representative survey, in order to estimate the degree to which civil servants chose to incorporate the president's preferences into their policy decisions before and after her impeachment. We find that presidential impeachment has a differential impact on the responsiveness of civil servants across the formal ranks of the personnel, controlling for their political views and several other individual characteristics. While bureaucrats were similarly responsive to the President before impeachment regardless of their grades, senior civil servants were significantly more responsive to the President after impeachment than were lower‐ranking bureaucrats. Our study contributes to the literature on organizational theory and public management the evidence that civil servants' attitudes are shaped by the structure of bureaucratic organizations and change with external settings involving elected principals.
China as Exemplar: Justin Lin, New Structural Economics, and the Unorthodox Orthodoxy of the China Model
Authors: Åberg John H. S. , Becker Derick
Published: October 2020

Despite vociferous disagreement by scholars and ambivalence by China over a “China Model” of development, China is still held up as an exemplar of development. Nowhere is this clearer than in the theory of New Structural Economics (NSE) promulgated by the former Chief Economist of the World Bank, Justin Lin. We seek to critically engage Lin's theory apropos of China and China's geopolitical and economic interests in Africa. Lin argues that developing countries can learn from China's development experience, and his theory, NSE, fills this experience with theoretical content. China, though often dismissive of a “China Model,” gains a soft power advantage from its association with NSE as an exemplar and from Lin's own role in rationalizing China‐Africa economic interests in purely analytical and intellectual terms. In Ethiopia, the regime actively heeded Lin's policy advice and implemented development policies in line with his theoretical model. Justin Lin's “China Model” is not an antagonistic model, but part of mainstream economic theorizing. It does not represent a competing counter‐hegemonic model. It is complementary to the global capitalist system. This is the unorthodox orthodoxy of Justin Lin's “China Model.”

Related Articles (in this Special Issue)

Davidsson, Simon. 2020. “Modeling the Impact of a Model: The (Non)Relationship between China's Economic Rise and African Democracy.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).

Hodzi, Obert, and John H. S. Åberg. 2020. “Introduction to the Special Issue: Strategic Deployment of the China Model in Africa.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).

Ziso, Edson. 2020. “The Political Economy of the Chinese Model in Ethiopia.” Politics & Policy 48 (5).
Emotional responses of parents participating for the first time in caregiving for their baby in a neonatal unit
Authors: Dicky Odile , Kuhn Pierre , Akrich Madeleine , Reynaud Audrey , Caeymaex Laurence , Tscherning Charlotte ,   the GREEN Committee (Groupe de Réflexion et d’Evaluation de l’Environnement du Nouveau‐né de la Société Française de Néonatologie)
Published: October 2020

Background

Parents of term and preterm infants hospitalised at birth experience a stressful situation. They are considered as primary caregivers in neonatal units and are encouraged to participate in their child’s care.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to analyse the feelings of parents participating for the first time in caregiving for their baby admitted at birth in a neonatal unit in France and to compare the feelings reported by parents of term and preterm infants.

Methods

An online survey was created in 2014 for parents who had a baby hospitalised at birth. We analysed parents’ responses to this open‐ended question: “How did you feel when you participated in caregiving for your baby for the first time?” using a qualitative discourse analysis by two analysts. Themes were identified and coded.

Results

Between February 2014 and March 2018, 1603 parents of preterm infants and 239 parents of term infants responded to this open‐ended question. Twenty‐five per cent of parents expressed positive feelings exclusively (confidence, ease, joy, pride, feeling supported by healthcare professionals, by their family and feeling of being a parent), 41% expressed negative feelings exclusively (stress, fear, feeling of being judged, frustration, anger, uselessness and clumsiness) and 34% expressed mixed feelings (both positive and negative). Parents of term infants expressed less frequent feelings of stress and fear than parents of preterm infants: with a relative risk (RR) of 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.56, 0.87. Parents of term babies more frequently expressed feelings of frustration: RR 2.40 (95% CI 1.33, 4.32).

Conclusions

Infant‐ and Family‐Centred Developmental Care supportive programmes are recommended within neonatal units in order to improve the experience of parents participating in caregiving for their baby hospitalised at birth.
Labour market liberalization and the rise of dualism in Europe as the interplay between governments, trade unions and the economy
Authors: Simoni Marco , Vlandas Tim
Published: October 2020

Why have labour market reforms varied so much across European countries in the 30 years preceding the economic crisis? We argue that the degree of liberalization over time in each country depends on the interaction between governments' partisan leaning, the strength of trade unions and the economic problem‐load pushing governments to adopt distinct labour market reform strategies. Building on existing literature, we interpret ‘dualizing’ labour market reforms as weaker forms of liberalization and test our argument on the cross‐national variation in over 200 labour market reforms carried out in 14 western European countries between 1985 and 2007. Our empirical results show that governments are less likely to liberalize if they face a strong union movement and the economic problem‐load is low. However, even in countries with strong unions, opposition may not always manage to block change. First, as unemployment becomes more severe, unions' ability to reduce the likelihood of liberalization strongly decreases. Second, trade unions often do not manage to prevent liberalization advanced by social democratic governments. Third, governments can devise three (non‐rival) strategies to deflect opposition: (1) they can re‐regulate parts of the labour market to protect certain workers from liberalization; (2) generous unemployment benefits can cushion the costs of liberalization, thereby increasing its likelihood; and (3) they can carry out two‐tier reforms to insulate insider (unionized) workers employed in permanent contracts, which limits union opposition. By identifying the complex interactions between variables that explain variation in labour market liberalization across European countries, this article contributes to our understanding of the evolution of European political economy.
Two Kinds of External Possession in Mississippi Choctaw
Authors: Tyler Matthew
Published: October 2020

External possession refers to the phenomenon where a DP is marked as an independent argument in its clause but is interpreted as the possessor of another argument. Choctaw makes extensive use of external possession, but, puzzlingly, it comes in two distinct morphological profiles. Previous work has assumed these to be surface morphological variants, but this article shows instead that external possession in Choctaw is derived by two distinct mechanisms. One mechanism involves building a DP with an internal possessor and raising the possessor out to a higher, left‐peripheral position. The alternative mechanism involves building two unconnected DPs, one in an internal‐argument position and one in a high applicative phrase, and identifying the higher DP with the possessor θ role of the lower DP in the process of semantic composition, by a mechanism known as delayed saturation. I demonstrate that this latter mechanism can generate external possession of objects and unaccusative subjects, depending on whether there is an external argument, and is subject to a host of interpretative restrictions that the movement‐based mechanism is not. Thus I show not only that external possession can be derived by two different mechanisms but also that those mechanisms may coexist in the same language.
Mixing commonly used crystalloid solutions with red blood cells in five common additives does not negatively impact hemolysis, aggregometry, or deformability
Authors: Yarnoff Kristine , Dodd‐o Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2020

Background

Literature is beginning to challenge the belief that it is unsafe to coinfuse red blood cells (RBCs) with solutions other than isotonic saline. We recently showed that additive‐free RBCs tolerated coincubation with Plasma‐Lyte or catecholamines dissolved in normal saline (NS), though 5% dextrose in water (D5W) promoted hemolysis. Herein, we evaluate the effect of coincubating crystalloids on additive‐preserved RBC hemolysis, aggregation, and membrane deformability.

Study Design and Methods

RBCs were coincubated 5 minutes with plasma, NS, Plasma‐Lyte, lactated Ringer's (LR) or D5W (1 mL PRBC +131.3 μL solution). Samples were then assessed for hemolysis (free hemoglobin), aggregation (critical shear stress [mPa]), and membrane deformability (elongation index [EI]). Significance (P ≤ .05) by t test or ANOVA with post‐hoc Tukey‐Kramer test.

Results

Additive‐prepared RBCs coincubated with crystalloid instead of plasma demonstrated: (a) no increase in hemolysis as indicated by plasma free hemoglobin levels that is likely to be clinically relevant; (b) no increase, but in some cases a decrease, in aggregation as indicated by critical shear stress; and (c) in some combinations, a deterioration in deformability. When present, the deformability decrease was likely clinically insignificant in degree, and always returned to normal when the crystalloid was subsequently diluted out with plasma.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that additive‐prepared RBCs coincubated for 5 minutes with any of four common crystalloids demonstrate no clinically relevant increased lysis, increased aggregation, or decreased deformability.
Iatrogenic hypercortisolism in a Persian kitten after topical application of a skin lotion containing clobetasol
Authors: Chirayath Deepa , Shaheena Sahla
Published: October 2020

Hypercortisolism is a rare endocrine disorder in cats. This report describes the clinicopathological findings and successful management of iatrogenic hypercortisolism in a Persian kitten. The disorder was presumed to be a consequence of prolonged topical application of a lotion containing clobetasol.
Prevalence of intra‐abdominal hypertension in horses with colic
Authors: Foth Patrick W. , Scott Victoria H. , Mudge Margaret C. , Hurcombe Samuel D.
Published: October 2020

Objective

To determine an abdominal pressure cutoff value for intra‐abdominal hypertension (IAH) in the horse and characterize IAH in horses with acute colic.

Design

Prospective clinical cohort.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Nine healthy adult horses and 56 horses with acute colic.

Interventions

Ventral intra‐abdominal pressure (IAP) was measured in triplicate at end expiration and averaged. Each colic case was classified as medical or surgical and large intestine (LI) or small intestine (SI). Management and final outcome (alive, euthanized, or died) were recorded. IAH was defined as ≥32 mm Hg (mean + 2 SDs of ventral IAP in control horses). Proportions of horses with and without IAH for different lesions were expressed as fractions and percentages.

Differences in IAP between groups were determined using ANOVA with post‐testing or t‐tests. Odds ratio for management strategy (ie, need for medical or surgical) in horses with IAH was performed using Fisher's exact test. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Measurements and Main Results

IAP was higher in horses with colic compared to controls (P = 0.025). Over 18 months, 30.4% of horses with colic had IAH (n = 10 LI lesions, n = 7 SI lesions). Horses with LI medical lesions had the highest IAP of all lesions (mean 36.5 mm Hg). IAH horses with medical lesions were 15 times more likely to survive than IAH horses requiring surgery (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Acute colic in horses is associated with an increased ventral IAP compared with healthy controls. IAH does exist in horses with colic, notably LI medical lesions, and is associated with nonsurvival in horses that require surgery.
Heading Into the Clouds
Authors: Thilmany Jean
Published: October 2020

With barriers to physical interaction cropping up due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies are turning more to digital engineering tools and the Internet of Things to assist in this critical phase of product development. Adding IoT capability—or changing the way IoT is employed—may be one way to digitize later stages of the manufacturing process.
Building with Digital Tools
Authors: Hatch Cory
Published: October 2020

Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have adapted digital engineering technology to help build the Department of Energy’s proposed Versatile Test Reactor (VTR). It is expected that developing VTR via digital engineering will significantly reduce risk by organizing all the project’s data and models in a centralized, interactive system that guides the complex project from inception, through design and construction, and into operations.
Nonlinear Supratransmission in Quartic Hamiltonian Lattices With Globally Interacting Particles and On-Site Potentials
Authors: Macías-Díaz Jorge E. , Bountis Anastasios
Published: October 2020

We investigate a family of one-dimensional (1D) Hamiltonian semi-infinite particle lattices whose interactions involve exclusively terms of fourth order in the potential. Our aim is to examine their distinct role in the dynamics, in the absence of quadratic (harmonic) interactions, which are typically included in most studies, as they are known to play an important role in many physical phenomena. We also include in our potentials on-site terms of the sine-Gordon type, which are also considered in many studies in connection with localization effects. Our 1D lattices are subjected to sinusoidal perturbation on one end and an absorbing boundary on the other. To simulate a semi-infinite chain, we will consider a relatively long chain with string coupling. Using reliable finite difference discretization schemes, we establish the existence of nonlinear supratransmission for both short-range and long-range interactions, and demonstrate that the presence of quadratic interactions is not necessary for a system to show nonlinear supratransmission. Additionally, we provide diagrams depicting novel relations between the critical amplitude at which supratransmission is triggered versus driving frequency and a parameter measuring the length of the interactions. Our investigation also shows that the presence of on-site potentials is also not crucial for the system to present supratransmission.
A Framework for the Exploration of Critical Factors on Promoting Two-Season Cultivation in India
Authors: Guo Lin , Mohebbi Shima , Das Ashok , Allen Janet K. , Mistree Farrokh
Published: October 2020

To promote a new mode of production and a changed lifestyle in a relatively closed, underdeveloped community, critical interventions should be explored, and, as appropriate, implemented. Different scenarios are identified and explored so that decision support can be provided to social entrepreneurs (SEs). Here, agent-based modeling (ABM) is used to simulate villagers’ acceptance of second-season cultivation, growing two crops a year instead of one. We explore the possibility of second-season cultivation to improve the villagers’ social-economic status in both the short term and the long term. The proposed method of capturing and making use of critical factors in influencing individuals’ behavior in a community can be used in other projects. Our focus in here is on the method, rather than the specific results.
The Improved DLR Wrist: Design and Analysis of 2-Degrees-of-Freedom Rotational Mechanism Using Spatial Antiparallelogram Linkages
Authors: Yoon Dukchan , Kang Long , Manzoor Sajjad , Choi Youngjin
Published: October 2020

This article presents a kinematic analysis and modification of a wrist mechanism of the DLR robot arm, which is based on antiparallelogram linkages. This mechanism is modified to improve the range of motion (ROM), to reduce the parasitic motion, and to approximately perform the decoupled output motion. For these purposes, the elliptical rolling motion of an overconstrained antiparallelogram is first investigated in consideration of its structural modification. Also, a specific joint that has a relatively small movement is developed as a flexible hinge by further minimizing its angular displacement for design simplification. The axode analysis of the instantaneous screw axis for wrist movements is conducted to compare the rotational performance between the original and modified mechanisms. Moreover, their workspace qualities are evaluated through analyses of the workspace and the kinematic isotropy index. Finally, the improved DLR wrist of the final modification is prototyped, and its wide circumduction is demonstrated.
Effect of Cu on the Tribocorrosion Behavior of Antibacterial CoCrMo Alloys in Simulated Biological Environment
Authors: Song Xuefeng , Liu Ying , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Erlin
Published: October 2020

CoCrMo alloy containing copper element can significantly improve the antibacterial property of the alloy. However, most metal implants often fail due to the presence of corrosion and wear. In this work, the electrochemical and tribocorrosion properties of CoCrMo, CoCrMo–2Cu, and CoCrMo–4Cu alloys at a potential of −0.45 V and 0 V condition in Hank’s/Saliva/α-minimum essential medium (MEM) containing 10% FBS solutions were studied to reveal the effect of Cu addition on the tribocorrosion properties of Co-based alloys. The results showed that the addition of copper element reduced the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of Co-based alloy. As for solutions, α-MEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum shows lubrication function. Based on the calculated results, it was pointed out that the tribocorrosion behavior of CoCrMo and CoCrMo–Cu alloy was mainly controlled by the mechanical wear.
The role of ultrasonography in head and neck Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer approach: an update with a review of the literature
Authors: Tamas Tiberiu , Dinu Cristian , Lenghel Manuela , Băciuț Grigore , Bran Simion , Stoia Sebastian , Băciuț Mihaela
Published: October 2020

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer is one of the most common cancer types and the face is the most affected region. The diagnosis of the skin cancer relies on clinical inspection, palpation, dermoscopy followed by incisional or excisional biopsy. When skin cancers are removed from the face, many factors are involved, including aesthetics. In addition, surgical planning with preoperative acknowledgement of the tumour margins is often the key to avoid incomplete excision, the need for reintervention, or in the prevention of functional and aesthetical defects in the treatment of skin tumours. In recent years, the development of new technologies in sonography, including high frequencies transducers can provide a full range of data. It can offer valuable information regarding the size of the tumour including the depth of invasion, the extent of the tumour, histology and subtypes of the lesions which are helpful for the treatment plan. It also may be efficient in detection of positive margins after surgery and it could play a role in the treatment of skin cancer, prevention of local recurrences and overall control of the disease. K
Transperineal ultrasound to assess anal positioning in female neonates
Authors: Casson Masselin Mathilde , Moriau Didier , Bahans Claire , Spampinato Grazia , Guigonis Vincent , Ballouhey Quentin , Fourcade Laurent
Published: October 2020

Aims: Anterior anal displacement is a condition that is difficult to define: is it merely an anatomical variation within the range of normality or is it a genuine malformation? In order to improve early diagnosis of anterior displacement of the anus, this study assessed the feasibility of transperineal ultrasound (US) in routine practice for use as first-line management.Materials and methods: Sagittal perineal US was performed on 187 female infants aged between 3 and 9 weeks. The ultrasound was performed randomly, either by a senior or a junior radiologist. The imaging by the senior radiologists defined the sagittal plane quality criteria. Scores to define image quality were established and then validated. The percentage of satisfactory images was then compared according to the planes and the seniority (junior vs. senior) of the radiologists. The junior radiologists were evaluated from the beginning to determine the learning curve for optimal image acquisition.Results: The quality scores for the perineal ultrasounds revealed excellent intra-and inter-operator performances: 84.4% of the sagittal plane images were satisfactory. After the 20th examination, the success rate for the sagittal plane was independent of the seniority of the radiologist.Conclusions: This preliminary study demonstrates that transperineal sagittal plane US is easy to learn and readily yields reproducible results. The possibility of using this technique provides a solid basis for further studies to evaluate its relevance in regard to clinical data and MRI results, with the aim of providing a reliable early diagnostic tool for routine practice.
Au-free low-temperature ohmic contacts for AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Huang Hsien-Chih , Green Bruce , Gao Xiang , Rosenmann Daniel , Li Xiuling , Shi Junxia
Published: October 2020

Au-free, Ti/Al/Ta ohmic contact on the AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructure using low annealing temperature is studied in this paper. With SiCl4 plasma treatment at the recess-etched contact region, a low contact resistance of 0.52 Ω mm and a low sheet resistance of 373 Ω/sq are achieved after annealing at 550 °C for 30 s. The low annealing temperature also leads to better surface morphology. Furthermore, AlGaN/AlN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) are fabricated with the 550 °C, 30 s annealed Ti/Al/Ta ohmic contacts, and a maximum transconductance of 123 mS/mm and a maximum drain current of 510 mA/mm are obtained for a gate length of 4 μm. Based on Silvaco's Atlas device simulation framework, a scaled-down device with a short gate length of 1 μm would produce a maximum drain current density of 815 mA/mm. It indicates that the direct current performance of the HEMTs with the ohmic metal proposed in this work is considerably better than that with Au-based ohmic contact.
Effects of a Curriculum-Integrated Dance Program on Children’s Physical Activity
Authors: Sharma Geeta , Stewart Tom , Duncan Scott
Published: October 2020

Background: Curriculum-integrated dance programs are a promising but relatively under-researched strategy for increasing children’s physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a curriculum-integrated dance program on children’s PA. Methods: A total of 134 primary children aged 7–9 years from 4 New Zealand schools were assigned to either a dance group (n = 78) or a control group (n = 56). The dance group participated in a 6-week curriculum-integrated dance program during school time. Although the dance program focused on curricular learning, fitness and coordination were embedded in the dance sessions. Intensity of PA varied according to the focus of each dance session. PA was measured at baseline and postintervention using a waist-mounted ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer for 8 consecutive days. Results: There were no significant intervention effects on PA levels between the dance and control groups postintervention. Conclusion: Dance-embedded learning did not increase overall levels of PA in this study. Future studies may consider assessing longer term effects of a dance-based intervention, or programs that place more focus on PA promotion.
The Reliability of an Upper- and Lower-Extremity Visuomotor Reaction Time Task
Authors: Brinkman Caitlin , Baez Shelby E. , Quintana Carolina , Andrews Morgan L. , Heebner Nick R. , Hoch Matthew C. , Hoch Johanna M.
Published: October 2020

Context: Fast visuomotor reaction time (VMRT), the time required to recognize and respond to sequentially appearing visual stimuli, allows an athlete to successfully respond to stimuli during sports participation, while slower VMRT has been associated with increased injury risk. Light-based systems are capable of measuring both upper- and lower-extremity VMRT; however, the reliability of these assessments are not known. Objective: To determine the reliability of an upper- and lower-extremity VMRT task using a light-based trainer system. Design: Reliability study. Setting: Laboratory. Patients (or Other Participants): Twenty participants with no history of injury in the last 12 months. Methods: Participants reported to the laboratory on 2 separate testing sessions separated by 1 week. For both tasks, participants were instructed to extinguish a random sequence of illuminated light-emitting diode disks, which appeared one at a time as quickly as possible. Participants were provided a series of practice trials before completing the test trials. VMRT was calculated as the time in seconds between target hits, where higher VMRT represented slower reaction time. Main Outcome Measures: Separate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine test–retest reliability for each task. The SEM and minimal detectable change values were determined to examine clinical applicability. Results: The right limb lower-extremity reliability was excellent (ICC2,1 = .92; 95% CI, .81–.97). Both the left limb (ICC2,1 = .80; 95% CI, .56–.92) and upper-extremity task (ICC2,1 = .86; 95% CI, .65–.95) had good reliability. Conclusions: Both VMRT tasks had clinically acceptable reliability in a healthy, active population. Future research should explore further applications of these tests as an outcome measure following rehabilitation for health conditions with known VMRT deficits.
Persistence and decay of human antibody responses to the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Iyer Anita S. , Jones Forrest K. , Nodoushani Ariana , Kelly Meagan , Becker Margaret , Slater Damien , Mills Rachel , Teng Erica , Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Garcia-Beltran Wilfredo F. , Astudillo Michael , Yang Diane , Miller Tyler E. , Oliver Elizabeth , Fischinger Stephanie , Atyeo Caroline , Iafrate A. John , Calderwood Stephen B. , Lauer Stephen A. , Yu Jingyou , Li Zhenfeng , Feldman Jared , Hauser Blake M. , Caradonna Timothy M. , Branda John A. , Turbett Sarah E. , LaRocque Regina C. , Mellon Guillaume , Barouch Dan H. , Schmidt Aaron G. , Azman Andrew S. , Alter Galit , Ryan Edward T , Harris Jason B. , Charles Richelle C.
Published: October 2020

IgM and IgA responses to SARS-CoV-2 RBD in severe COVID patients decay rapidly, while IgG responses persist for over 3 months.
Efficacy of Telavancin in Comparison to Linezolid in a Porcine Model of Severe Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Authors: Battaglini D. , Motos A. , Li Bassi G. , Yang H. , Pagliara F. , Yang M. , Aguilera Xiol E. , Meli A. , Bobi J. , Frigola G. , Senussi T. , Idone F. , Travierso C. , Chiurazzi C. , Fernandez-Barat L. , Rigol M. , Ramirez J. , Pelosi P. , Chiumello D. , Antonelli M. , Nicolau D. P. , Bringue J. , Artigas A. , Guerrero L. , Soy D. , Torres A.
Published: October 2020

Current guidelines recommend vancomycin and linezolid as first-line agents against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) nosocomial pneumonia. Telavancin is a potential new therapeutic alternative, specifically in monomicrobial MRSA pneumonia. This study compared the efficacies of telavancin versus linezolid in a porcine model of severe MRSA pneumonia. In 18 mechanically ventilated pigs (32.11 ± 1.18 kg), 75 ml of 10
6
CFU/ml of MRSA was administered into each pulmonary lobe.
Prokaryotic Organelles: Bacterial Microcompartments in
E. coli
and
Salmonella
Authors: Stewart Katie L. , Stewart Andrew M. , Bobik Thomas A.
Published: October 2020

Bacterial microcompartments (MCPs) are proteinaceous organelles consisting of a metabolic pathway encapsulated within a selectively permeable protein shell. Hundreds of species of bacteria produce MCPs of at least nine different types, and MCP metabolism is associated with enteric pathogenesis, cancer, and heart disease. This review focuses chiefly on the four types of catabolic MCPs (metabolosomes) found in
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella
: the propanediol utilization (
pdu
), ethanolamine utilization (
eut
), choline utilization (
cut
), and glycyl radical propanediol (
grp
) MCPs. Although the great majority of work done on catabolic MCPs has been carried out with
Salmonella
and
E. coli
, research outside the group is mentioned where necessary for a comprehensive understanding. Salient characteristics found across MCPs are discussed, including enzymatic reactions and shell composition, with particular attention paid to key differences between classes of MCPs. We also highlight relevant research on the dynamic processes of MCP assembly, protein targeting, and the mechanisms that underlie selective permeability. Lastly, we discuss emerging biotechnology applications based on MCP principles and point out challenges, unanswered questions, and future directions.
Bronchial Epithelial Tet2 Maintains Epithelial Integrity during Acute Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia
Authors: Qin Wanhai , Brands Xanthe , van't Veer Cornelis , de Vos Alex F. , Scicluna Brendon P. , van der Poll Tom
Published: October 2020

Respiratory epithelial cells are important for pulmonary innate immune responses during
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infection. Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (Tet2) has been implicated in the regulation of host defense by myeloid and lymphoid cells, but whether Tet2 also contributes to epithelial responses during pneumonia is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of bronchial epithelial Tet2 in acute pneumonia caused by
P. aeruginosa
. To this end, we crossed mice with
Tet2
flanked by two Lox-P sites (

Tet2
fl/fl

mice) with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the bronchial epithelial cell-specific
Cc10
promoter (

Cc10
Cre

mice) to generate bronchial epithelial cell-specific Tet2-deficient (

Tet2
fl/fl
Cc10
Cre

) mice.
PA Mutations Inherited during Viral Evolution Act Cooperatively To Increase Replication of Contemporary H5N1 Influenza Virus with an Expanded Host Range
Authors: Arai Yasuha , Kawashita Norihito , Elgendy Emad Mohamed , Ibrahim Madiha Salah , Daidoji Tomo , Ono Takao , Takagi Tatsuya , Nakaya Takaaki , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Watanabe Yohei
Published: October 2020

Clade 2.2.1 avian influenza viruses (H5N1) are unique to Egypt and have caused the highest number of human H5N1 influenza cases worldwide, presenting a serious global public health threat. These viruses may have the greatest evolutionary potential for adaptation from avian hosts to human hosts. Using a comprehensive phylogenetic approach, we identified several novel clade 2.2.1 virus polymerase mutations that increased viral replication
in vitro
in human cells and
in vivo
in mice. These mutations were in the polymerase PA subunit and acted cooperatively with the E627K mutation in the PB2 polymerase subunit to provide higher replication in contemporary clade 2.2.1.2 viruses than in ancestral clade 2.2.1 viruses. These data indicated that ongoing clade 2.2.1 dissemination in the field has driven PA mutations to modify viral replication to enable host range expansion, with a higher public health risk for humans.
Supplemental Material: Systematic characterization of morphotectonic variability along the Cascadia convergent margin: Implications for shallow megathrust behavior and tsunami hazards
Authors: Watt J.T. , Brothers D.S.
Published: October 2020

Figures and graphs provide additional descriptions of basic data and methods referred to in the text.
Association between FDA and EMA expedited approval programs and therapeutic value of new medicines: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hwang Thomas J , Ross Joseph S , Vokinger Kerstin N , Kesselheim Aaron S
Published: October 2020

Objective

To characterize the therapeutic value of new drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the association between these ratings and regulatory approval through expedited programs.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

New drugs approved by the FDA and EMA between 2007 and 2017, with follow-up through 1 April 2020.

Data sources

Therapeutic value was measured using ratings of new drugs by five independent organizations (Prescrire and health authorities of Canada, France, Germany, and Italy).

Main outcome measures

Proportion of new drugs rated as having high therapeutic value; association between high therapeutic value rating and expedited status.

Results

From 2007 through 2017, the FDA and EMA approved 320 and 268 new drugs, respectively, of which 181 (57%) and 39 (15%) qualified for least one expedited program. Among 267 new drugs with a therapeutic value rating, 84 (31%) were rated as having high therapeutic value by at least one organization. Compared with non-expedited drugs, a greater proportion of expedited drugs were rated as having high therapeutic value among both FDA approvals (45% (69/153) v 13% (15/114); P<0.001) and EMA approvals (67% (18/27) v 27% (65/240); P<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of expedited program for a drug being independently rated as having high therapeutic value were 82% (95% confidence interval 72% to 90%) and 54% (47% to 62%), respectively, for the FDA, compared with 25.3% (16.4% to 36.0%) and 90.2% (85.0% to 94.1%) for the EMA.

Conclusions

Less than a third of new drugs approved by the FDA and EMA over the past decade were rated as having high therapeutic value by at least one of five independent organizations. Although expedited drugs were more likely than non-expedited drugs to be highly rated, most expedited drugs approved by the FDA but not the EMA were rated as having low therapeutic value.
Relative validity and reliability of a diet risk score (DRS) for clinical practice
Authors: Johnston Emily A , Petersen Kristina S , Beasley Jeannette M , Krussig Tobias , Mitchell Diane C , Van Horn Linda V , Weiss Rick , Kris-Etherton Penny M
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Adherence to cardioprotective dietary patterns can reduce risk for developing cardiometabolic disease. Rates of diet assessment and counselling by physicians are low. Use of a diet screener that rapidly identifies individuals at higher risk due to suboptimal dietary choices could increase diet assessment and brief counselling in clinical care.

Methods

We evaluated the relative validity and reliability of a 9-item diet risk score (DRS) based on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, a comprehensive measure of diet quality calculated from a 160-item, validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). We hypothesised that DRS (0 (low risk) to 27 (high risk)) would inversely correlate with HEI-2015 score. Adults aged 35 to 75 years were recruited from a national research volunteer registry (ResearchMatch.org) and completed the DRS and FFQ in random order on one occasion. To measure reliability, participants repeated the DRS within 3 months.

Results

In total, 126 adults (87% female) completed the study. Mean HEI-2015 score was 63.3 (95% CI: 61.1 to 65.4); mean DRS was 11.8 (95% CI: 10.8 to 12.8). DRS and HEI-2015 scores were inversely correlated (r=−0.6, p<0.001; R2=0.36). The DRS ranked 37% (n=47) of subjects in the same quintile, 41% (n=52) within ±1 quintile of the HEI-2015 (weighted κ: 0.28). The DRS had high reliability (n=102, ICC: 0.83). DRS mean completion time was 2 min.

Conclusions

The DRS is a brief diet assessment tool, validated against a FFQ, that can reliably identify patients with reported suboptimal intake. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of DRS-guided diet assessment in clinical care.

Trial registration details

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03805373).
Tumor-draining lymph node is important for a robust abscopal effect stimulated by radiotherapy
Authors: Buchwald Zachary S , Nasti Tahseen H , Lee Judong , Eberhardt Christiane S , Wieland Andreas , Im Se Jin , Lawson David , Curran Walter , Ahmed Rafi , Khan Mohammad K
Published: October 2020

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) has been shown to stimulate an antitumor immune response in irradiated tumors as well as unirradiated distant sites (abscopal effect). Previous studies have demonstrated a role for the tumor-draining lymph node (LN) in mediating an anti-programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) stimulated antitumor immune response. Here, we investigated whether the LN is also important in mediating a RT alone stimulated abscopal response.

Methods

We used a subcutaneous modified B16F10 flank tumor model injected bilaterally. Our B16F10 cell line has an inserted viral glycoprotein which facilitated identification of tumor-specific T-cells. RT was directed at one flank tumor alone or one flank tumor and the tumor-draining LN. We evaluated response by tumor growth measurements and flow cytometry of both tumor-infiltrating and LN T-cells.

Results

We show that local tumor irradiation improves distant tumor control (abscopal effect). Depletion of CD8+T-cells significantly reduced this abscopal response. We have previously shown, in a chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, that the T-cell proliferative burst following blockade of PD-1/L1 is provided by a ‘stem-like’ CD8+T-cell subset which then differentiate into terminally differentiated effectors. These terminally differentiated effectors have the potential to kill virally infected or tumor cells following PD-1/L1 blockade. In the chronic LCMV infection, stem-like CD8+T-cells were found exclusively in secondary lymphoid organs. Similarly, here we found these cells at high frequencies in the tumor-draining LN, but at low frequencies within the tumor. The effect of RT on this T-cell subset in unknown. Interestingly, tumor irradiation stimulated total CD8+and stem-like CD8+T-cell proliferation in the LN. When the LN and the tumor were then targeted with RT, the abscopal effect was reduced, and we found a concomitant reduction in the number of total tumor-specific CD8+T-cells and stem-like CD8+T-cells in both the irradiated and unirradiated tumor.

Conclusions

These correlative results suggest the tumor-draining LN may be an important mediator of the abscopal effect by serving as a stem-like CD8+T-cell reservoir, a site for stem-like T-cell expansion, and a site from which they can populate the tumor.
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in obsessive–compulsives disorders: long-term follow-up of an open, prospective, observational cohort
Authors: Chabardes Stephan , Krack Paul , Piallat Brigitte , Bougerol Thierry , Seigneuret Eric , Yelnik Jerome , Fernandez Vidal Sara , David Olivier , Mallet Luc , Benabid Alim-Louis , Polosan Mircea
Published: October 2020

Background

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a major cause of disability in western country and responsible for severe impairment of quality of life. About 10% of patients present with severe OCD symptoms and require innovative treatment such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). Among possible targets, the non-motor subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a key node of the basal ganglia circuitry, strongly connected to limbic cortical areas known to be involved in OCD.

Method

We analysed, in a prospective, observational, monocentric, open label cohort, the effect of chronic non-motor STN-DBS in 19 patients with treatment-resistant OCD consecutively operated in a single centre. Severity of OCD was evaluated using the Yale and Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). YBOCS scores at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively were compared with baseline. Responders were defined by >35% improvement of YBOCS scores. Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) scale was used to evaluate the impact of improvement.

Results

At a 24-month follow-up, the mean YBOCS score improved by 53.4% from 33.3±3.5 to 15.8±9.1 (95% CI 11.2–20.4; p<0.0001). Fourteen out of 19 patients were considered as responders, 5 out of 19 being improved over 75% and 10 out of 19 over 50%. GAF scale improved by 92% from 34.1±3.9 to 66.4±18.8 (95% CI 56.7–76.1; p=0.0003). The most frequent adverse events consisted of transient DBS-induced hypomania and anxiety.

Conclusion

Chronic DBS of the non-motor STN is an effective and relatively safe procedure to treat severe OCD resistant to conventional management.
Diffusion imaging in Huntington’s disease: comprehensive review
Authors: Estevez-Fraga Carlos , Scahill Rachael , Rees Geraint , Tabrizi Sarah J , Gregory Sarah
Published: October 2020

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a monogenic disorder with 100% penetrance. With the advent of genetic testing in adults, disease-related, structural brain changes can be investigated from the earliest, premorbid stages of HD. While examining macrostructural change characterises global neuronal damage, investigating microstructural alterations provides information regarding brain organisation and its underlying biological properties. Diffusion MRI can be used to track the progression of microstructural anomalies in HD decades prior to clinical disease onset, providing a greater understanding of neurodegeneration. Multiple approaches, including voxelwise, region of interest and tractography, have been used in HD cohorts, showing a centrifugal pattern of white matter (WM) degeneration starting from deep brain areas, which is consistent with neuropathological studies. The corpus callosum, longer WM tracts and areas that are more densely connected, in particular the sensorimotor network, also tend to be affected early during premanifest stages. Recent evidence supports the routine inclusion of diffusion analyses within clinical trials principally as an additional measure to improve understanding of treatment effects, while the advent of novel techniques such as multitissue compartment models and connectomics can help characterise the underpinnings of progressive functional decline in HD.
Health justice in the Anthropocene: medical ethics and the Land Ethic
Authors: Wardrope Alistair
Published: October 2020

Industrialisation, urbanisation and economic development have produced unprecedented (if unevenly distributed) improvements in human health. They have also produced unprecedented exploitation of Earth’s life support systems, moving the planet into a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene—one defined by human influence on natural systems. The health sector has been complicit in this influence. Bioethics, too, must acknowledge its role—the environmental threats that will shape human health in this century represent a ‘perfect moral storm’ challenging the ethical theories of the last. The US conservationist Aldo Leopold saw this gathering storm more clearly than many, and in his Land Ethic describes the beginnings of a route to safe passage. Its starting point is a reinterpretation of the ethical relationship between humanity and the ‘land community’, the ecosystems we live within and depend upon; moving us from ‘conqueror’ to ‘plain member and citizen’ of that community. The justice of the Land Ethic questions many presuppositions implicit to discussions of the topic in biomedical ethics. By valuing the community in itself—in a way irreducible to the welfare of its members—it steps away from the individualism axiomatic in contemporary bioethics. Viewing ourselves as citizens of the land community also extends the moral horizons of healthcare from a solely human focus. Taking into account the ‘stability’ of the community requires intergenerational justice. The resulting vision of justice in healthcare—one that takes climate and environmental justice seriously—could offer health workers an ethic fit for the future.
Endophytic fungus diversity in soybean plants submitted to conditions of elevated atmospheric CO2 and temperature
Authors: Gonçalves Huberman Valadares , Oki Yumi , Bordignon Leandra , Ferreira Mariana Costa , dos Santos José Eustáquio , Tameirão Lucas Barbosa Souza , Santos Fabrício Rodrigues , Kalapothakis Evanguedes , Fernandes Geraldo Wilson
Published: October 2020

Global climatic changes can have drastic impacts on plant species, including severe consequences for the agricultural species productivity. Many of these species present important mutualisms with endophytic fungi that positively influence their performance. The present study evaluated whether the increases in CO2 and temperature predicted for the year 2100 may cause changes in foliar carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in soybean (Glycine max) and, consequently, the interactions with its endophytic fungi. The effects of elevated CO2 and temperature were evaluated in four treatments in open-top chambers: (i) control, (ii) increased temperature, (iii) increased CO2, and (iv) increased CO2 and temperature. Increased atmospheric CO2 resulted in decreased foliar N concentration, while increased temperature increased it. A total of 16 taxa of endophytic fungi were identified based on sequencing internal transcribed spacer regions of rRNA subunits. Increased atmospheric CO2 and temperature were observed to potentially modify the endophytic mycobiota of soybean plants. The results suggest that the fungi species substitution is a consequence of changes in foliar N concentration and C/N ratio. Predicted climatic changes shall affect the relationships between plant and endophytes, which in turn, will affect the performance and resistance of soybean, one of the most important crops in the world.
Comparison of pre-fire and post-fire space use reveals varied responses by woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the Boreal Shield
Authors: Silva J.A. , Nielsen S.E. , McLoughlin P.D. , Rodgers A.R. , Hague C. , Boutin S.
Published: October 2020

By regulating successional dynamics in Canada’s boreal forest, fires can affect the distribution of the Threatened woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)). Caribou tend to avoid areas burned within the last 40 years; however, few studies have compared pre-fire and post-fire caribou observations. In this study, we used caribou GPS locations from the Boreal Shield of Saskatchewan, Canada, to assess the short-term response of caribou to areas that burned while they were collared (hereafter recent burns). We used a “before–after, control–impact” design to compare the overlap of pre-fire and post-fire seasonal home ranges to the overlap of year-to-year seasonal home ranges. Caribou rarely encountered recent burns and when they did, they adjusted their space use in variable and complex ways that were largely indistinguishable from regular, interannual variation. Caribou tended to reduce use of recent burns in summer–autumn and winter, but not during the calving season, in some cases shifting their home range to incorporate more burned habitat. We conclude that recently burned areas (<5 years) may provide habitat value to woodland caribou, particularly during the calving season, requiring a more flexible approach to interpret fire in habitat management strategies.