bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving anticoagulation in sub‐Saharan Africa: What are the challenges and how can we overcome them?
Authors: Mouton Johannes P. , Blockman Marc , Sekaggya‐Wiltshire Christine , Semakula Jerome , Waitt Catriona , Pirmohamed Munir , Cohen Karen
Published: February 2021

Patients in sub‐Saharan Africa generally have poor anticoagulation control. We review the potential reasons for this poor control, as well as the potential solutions. Challenges include the affordability and centralisation of anticoagulation care, problems with access to medicines and international normalised ratio monitoring, the lack of locally validated standardized dosing protocols, and low levels of anticoagulation knowledge among healthcare workers and patients. Increasing numbers of patients will need anticoagulation in the future because of the increasing burden of noncommunicable disease in the region. We propose that locally developed “warfarin care bundles” which address multiple anticoagulation challenges in combination may be the most appropriate solution in this setting currently.
Moving forwards: A problem for full ectogenesis
Authors: Baron Teresa
Published: February 2021

Most existing literature on the ethics of full ectogenesis has proceeded under the presupposition that science will at some point produce sophisticated technologies for full‐term gestation (from embryo to infant) outside the human womb, delivering neonate health outcomes comparable with (or even superior to) biological gestation. However, the development of this technology—as opposed to the support systems currently being advanced—would require human subject experiments in embryo‐onwards development using ectogenic prototypes. Literature on ectogenic research ethics has so far focused on ‘backwards’ development of partial ectogenesis: incubation and ectogestation technologies that would allow the support of earlier and earlier neonates and foetuses. However, little has been said about the ethics of ‘forwards’ development of (partial or full) ectogenesis, involving the development of embryos and foetuses in prototype environments. Such a prototype might allow us to produce a gestateling or live neonate from a human embryo, but with poorer expected development and health outcomes than from biological gestation; it might also produce only gestatelings (healthy or otherwise) before the technology was developed to a stage where full‐term gestation was achievable. This paper explicates some of the ethical issues that this raises for the development of ‘full’ ectogenesis, and presents prima facie reasons to consider this research problematic and therefore to require extensive further argument in its defence.
Geomorphological characterization of basal flow markers during recurrent mass movement: A case study from the Taranaki Basin, offshore New Zealand
Authors: Kumar Priyadarshi Chinmoy , Omosanya Kamal’deen O. , Eruteya Ovie Emmanuel , Sain Kalachand
Published: February 2021

This work examines the mode of basal to substrate interaction, and flow dynamics of recurrent mass wasting events from a high‐quality 3D seismic reflection data. The Taranaki Basin, offshore New Zealand offers a unique environment to understand these processes, as the Neogene succession of the area preserves vertical stacks of mass transport deposits (MTDs) from the Miocene to Pliocene. The approach used here combines seismic interpretation of the basal shear zones (BSZs) of the MTD, seismic attribute analyses and colour rendering of both RMS amplitude and energy gradient maps. The five mass transport deposits are characterized into blocky‐MTDs consisting of moderate to high amplitude and variably deformed rafted blocks, and chaotic masses composed of slides and debris flow deposits. Classic examples of kinematic indicators at the BSZ of the MTDs akin to free‐slip flow processes such as liquefaction, hydroplaning and shear wetting are convolute flow fabrics and basal shear zone cut‐offs (fractures). Striations, grooves, mega scours, U‐ and V‐shaped scours, substrate erosion, monkey fingers (peel backs), substrate deformation and shearing are associated with no‐slip flows, suggesting that the mass movements efficiently interacted with the underlying substrate. Importantly, the intersection of different kinematic indicators along the BSZs of all the MTDs suggests an overlap of flow regimes, flow overprinting and transformation during mass movement. Although basal tooling by rafted blocks seems dominant during remobilization of the blocky MTDs, the presence of other kinematic indicators signifies combined mechanisms involving both free‐flow and no‐slip processes during their translation. The classification scheme evaluated here innovatively shows mass movements habitually occur through a combination of flow mechanisms rather than an independent flow regime.
PRRX1 deficiency induces mesenchymal‐epithelial transition through PITX2/miR‐200–dependent SLUG/CTNNB1 regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen Weibo , Wu Junyi , Shi Weiwei , Zhang Guang , Chen Xuemin , Ji Anlai , Wang Zhongxia , Wu Junhua , Jiang Chunping
Published: February 2021

Metastasis is a major obstacle to better prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mesenchymal‐epithelial transition (MET) is the driving force for metastatic colonization in which E‐cadherin re‐expression is a critical procedure. It has been reported that the loss of paired‐related homeobox transcription factor 1 (PRRX1) is required for cancer cell metastasis. However, the role of PRRX1 in MET and how its downregulation triggers E‐cadherin re‐expression are unknown. In this study, we performed a systematic, mechanistic study regarding the role of PRRX1 in MET of HCC. We observed PRRX1 downregulation in HCC tissues, which correlated with early metastasis and short overall survival. Overexpression of PRRX1 induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), but did not promote metastasis formation, while knockdown of PRRX1 promoted metastasis and colonization of circulating HCC cells as shown in animal model. PRRX1 protein levels reversely correlated with E‐cadherin levels in HCC cell lines. PRRX1 knockdown promoted E‐cadherin re‐expression and cell proliferation and inhibited cell invasion and migration. The microarray results showed that PRRX1 deficiency regulated extracellular matrix (ECM) interaction, focal adhesion, TGF‐β signaling and cancer pathways. PRRX1 knockdown upregulated paired‐like homeodomain 2 (PITX2) and inhibited catenin beta 1 (CTNNB1) and SNAIL family zinc finger 2 (SLUG). Silencing of PITX2 reversed CTNNB1 and SLUG inhibition and E‐cadherin re‐expression. PITX2 upregulation increased miR‐200a and miR‐200b/429, which further inhibited the transcription of CTNNB1 and SLUG, respectively, thus abrogating the inhibitory effect on E‐cadherin. In conclusion, our data showed that the downregulation of PRRX1 induced E‐cadherin re‐expression through PITX2/miR‐200a/CTNNB1 and PITX2/miR‐200b/429/SLUG pathway.
The role of sperm and oocyte in fetal programming: Is Lamarck making a comeback?
Authors: Tavares Renata Santos , Ramalho‐Santos João
Published: February 2021

Compelling evidence has shown that parental experiences and age at conception may potentially shape the future health of the next generation(s).

Certain factors may affect both the female and, strikingly, the male gametes potentially causing the transmission of acquired traits, which was strongly defended by Jean‐Baptiste Lamarck.

Neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, trinucleotide repeat‐associated diseases, cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes, obesity and cancer in the offspring, among others, have now been associated with events occurring at the preconception level.

The potential implications of a (trans)generational inheritance of parental disease and exposure effects should be taken into account in counselling and public policy.

Further research into how exactly gametes apparently deliver more than DNA to a new generation is warranted.
Symptom development and mortality rates caused by Armillaria ostoyae in juvenile mixed conifer stands in British Columbia’s southern interior region
Authors: Cleary Michelle , Morrison Duncan J. , van der Kamp Bart
Published: February 2021

Plots were established in 20 juvenile mixed conifer stands in the Interior Cedar Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone of British Columbia's southern interior region in western Canada to assess mortality and host response to infection in the form of basal lesions caused by Armillaria ostoyae. Western redcedar showed significantly lower mortality and a higher proportion of callused lesions at the root collar than Douglas‐fir and western hemlock. Mortality decreased with increasing tree diameter for all species; however, the rate of decrease was markedly greater for western redcedar than Douglas‐fir or western hemlock. Results from logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of Douglas‐fir being killed is 14.6 times greater than western redcedar in these juvenile stands. Because western redcedar displayed significant resistance to A. ostoyae at both the root and stand level, this species represents an excellent choice as a significant stand component with more susceptible conifers. Should susceptible conifers succumb to Armillaria root disease, western redcedar will likely fill in the stand.
Evaluating costs of heavy metal tolerance in a widely distributed, invasive butterfly
Authors: Shephard Alexander M. , Zambre Amod M. , Snell‐Rood Emilie C.
Published: February 2021

Organismal tolerance to environmental pollution is thought to be constrained by fitness costs, where variants with higher survival in polluted environments have lower performance in nonpolluted environments. Yet, costs are not always detected in empirical studies. One hypothesis suggests that whether tolerance costs emerge depends on the degree of heterogeneity populations experience with respect to pollution exposure. For instance, in populations confined to local environments where pollution is persistent, selection may favour alleles that enhance pollution tolerance but reduce performance in nonpolluted environments (costs). However, in broadly distributed populations that undergo selection in both polluted and nonpolluted patches, costs should be eroded. Understanding tolerance costs in broadly distributed populations is relevant to management of invasive species, which are highly dispersive, wide ranging, and often colonize disturbed or polluted patches such as agricultural monocultures. Therefore, we conducted a case study quantifying costs of tolerance to zinc pollution (a common heavy metal pollutant) in wild cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae). This wide ranging, highly dispersive and invasive pest periodically encounters metal pollution by consuming plants in urban and agricultural settings. In contrast to expected costs of tolerance, we found that cabbage white families with greater zinc tolerance also produced more eggs and had higher reproductive effort under nonpolluted conditions. These results contribute to a more general hypothesis of why costs of pollution tolerance vary across studies: patchy selection with pollutants should erode costs and may favour genotypes that perform well under both polluted and nonpolluted conditions. This might partly explain why widely distributed invasive species are able to thrive in diverse, polluted and nonpolluted habitats.
Case Studies of Geothermal System Response to Perturbations in Groundwater Flow and Thermal Regimes
Authors: Abesser Corinna , Schincariol Robert A. , Raymond Jasmin , García‐Gil Alejandro , Drysdale Ronan , Piatek Alex , Giordano Nicolò , Jaziri Nehed , Molson John
Published: February 2021

Global demands for energy‐efficient heating and cooling systems coupled with rising commitments toward net zero emissions is resulting in wide deployment of shallow geothermal systems, typically installed to a depth of 100 to 200 m, and in the continued growth of the global ground source heat pump (GSHP) market. Ground coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems take up to 85% of the global GSHP market. With increasing deployment of GCHP systems in urban areas coping with limited regulations, there is growing potential and risk for these systems to impact the subsurface thermal regime and to interact with each other or with nearby heat‐sensitive subsurface infrastructure. In this paper, we present three numerical modeling case studies, from the UK and Canada, which examine GCHP systems' response to perturbation of the wider hydrogeological and thermal regimes. The studies demonstrate how GCHP systems can be impacted by external influences and perturbations arising from subsurface activities that change the thermal and hydraulic regimes in the area surrounding these systems. Additional subsurface heat loads near existing schemes are found to have varied impacts on system efficiency with reduction ranging from <1% to 8%, while changes in groundwater flow rates (due to a nearby groundwater abstraction) reduced the effective thermal conductivity at the study site by 13%. The findings support the argument in favor of regulation of GCHP systems or, to a minimum, their registration with records of locations and approximate heat pump capacity—even though these systems do not abstract/inject groundwater.
Viral susceptibility across host species is largely independent of dietary protein to carbohydrate ratios
Authors: Roberts Katherine E. , Longdon Ben
Published: February 2021

The likelihood of a successful host shift of a parasite to a novel host species can be influenced by environmental factors that can act on both the host and parasite. Changes in nutritional resource availability have been shown to alter pathogen susceptibility and the outcome of infection in a range of systems. Here, we examined how dietary protein to carbohydrate altered susceptibility in a large cross‐infection experiment. We infected 27 species of Drosophilidae with an RNA virus on three food types of differing protein to carbohydrate ratios. We then measured how viral load and mortality across species was affected by changes in diet. We found that changes in the protein:carbohydrate in the diet did not alter the outcomes of infection, with strong positive inter‐species correlations in both viral load and mortality across diets, suggesting no species‐by‐diet interaction. Mortality and viral load were strongly positively correlated, and this association was consistent across diets. This suggests changes in diet may give consistent outcomes across host species, and may not be universally important in determining host susceptibility to pathogens.
Three‐dimensional morphological and positional analysis of the temporomandibular joint in adults with posterior crossbite: A cross‐sectional comparative study
Authors: Almaqrami Bushra Sufyan , Alhammadi Maged Sultan , Tang Bojun , ALyafrusee Enas Senan , Hua Fang , He Hong
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to three‐dimensionally (3D) evaluate the morphological and positional features of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in adults with unilateral and bilateral posterior crossbite compared with aligned control subjects.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional comparative study analysed cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 90 adult subjects’ divided into three equal groups: bilateral posterior crossbite (BCG), unilateral posterior crossbite (UCG) and control group (CG). 3D measurements of the TMJ included the following: (a) position, angulation and inclination of the mandibular condyles; (b) centralisation of the condyles in their respective mandibular fossae; and (c) volumetric measurements of the TMJ spaces. Intra‐ and intergroup differences were identified using the paired Student's t test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post hoc test, respectively.

Results

Regarding the intra‐group side‐based comparisons, there were significant differences in the anterior and superior joint spaces and the anteroposterior condylar joint position in the UCG. Intergroup comparisons revealed significant differences in the vertical condylar inclination, medial condylar position, condylar width and height, and volumetric joint space between the unaffected side of the UCG and left sides of the other groups. There were significant differences in the anteroposterior condylar inclination, medial condylar position, condylar width and height, anterior, posterior, superior and volumetric joint spaces, and anteroposterior condylar joint position between the crossbite side of the UCG and the right sides of the other groups.

Conclusion

Skeletal crossbite accompanied with characteristic morphological and positional TMJ features associated with unilateral posterior crossbite and are associated with side‐specific TMJ asymmetry.
Validation of the HCC‐RESCUE score to predict hepatocellular carcinoma risk in Caucasian chronic hepatitis B patients under entecavir or tenofovir therapy
Authors: Güzelbulut Fatih , Gökçen Pınar , Can Güray , Adalı Gupse , Değirmenci Saltürk Ayça Gökçen , Bahadır Özgür , Özdil Kamil , Doğanay Hamdi Levent
Published: February 2021

The HCC‐RESCUE score was developed to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in Korean chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients under entecavir therapy. We aimed to validate the HCC‐RESCUE score to predict HCC risk in Caucasian CHB patients under entecavir or tenofovir therapy and to compare the predictive performance of the HCC‐RESCUE score with those of the CAMD, PAGE‐B and modified PAGE‐B (mPAGE‐B) scores. The study included 647 nucleos(t)ide analogue‐naive noncirrhotic and compensated/decompensated cirrhotic patients who had received entecavir or tenofovir for ≥6 months and did not develop HCC during the first 6 months of therapy. Patients with HCC‐RESCUE scores ≤64, 65–84 and ≥85 points were classified into low‐, intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups, respectively. The AUROCs of the HCC‐RESCUE, CAMD, PAGE‐B and mPAGE‐B scores to predict HCC risk at 5 years were 0.875, 0.870, 0.866 and 0.880, and those at 10 years were 0.862, 0.845, 0.841 and 0.862, respectively (both p > .05). Cumulative HCC incidences at 5 years were 0.0%, 10.5% and 15.8%, and those at 10 years were 1.4%, 15.5% and 24.9%, respectively, in the low‐, intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups based on the HCC‐RESCUE score (both log rank p < .001). In the entecavir versus tenofovir cohorts, the AUROCs of the HCC‐RESCUE score to predict HCC risk at 5 and 10 years were 0.831 versus 0.898 and 0.803 versus 0.910, respectively (both p > .05). The HCC‐RESCUE score accurately predicted HCC risk in Caucasian CHB patients under entecavir or tenofovir therapy. A substantial proportion of patients can be dropped from HCC surveillance by using the HCC‐RESCUE score.
Feasts of Memory: Collective Remembering, Liturgical Time Travel and the Actualisation of the Past
Authors: Cockayne Joshua , Salter Gideon
Published: February 2021

How does religious liturgy connect participants to each other and to those that went before them thereby creating a living tradition that can span millennia? By drawing together insights from theology, psychology, and the philosophy of mind, we seek to explore the nature of communal remembering in religious rites. We begin by showing that the sense of memory used in Jewish and Christian Scriptures is much richer than mere fact recollection; to remember is to participate in the events of the past, to experience them as part of the narrative of a community’s present, and to fuel the community’s imagination about its future. Crucial to this corporate religious sense of memory is the concept of actualisation, in which some ritual or narrative allows the community to relive events of the past. We then argue that contemporary work on the psychology and philosophy of memory can help us to think about the application of these biblical senses of memory to contemporary practice.
Compassionate Theodicy: A Suggested Truce Between Intellectual and Practical Theodicy
Authors: Sollereder Bethany N.
Published: February 2021

The basic morality of theodicy is oft disputed. Classical theodicists defend the pursuit of an intellectual solution to the problem of evil while anti‐theodicists and practical theodicists argue that this distracts efforts from alleviating the pain people suffer. In this article, I draw on psychological studies that show that beliefs about God and evil change how resilient people are in their experience of pain. In light of that research, I suggest that the pursuit of an intellectual solution to the problem of evil is actually a part of the practical response to evil. However, the pursuit of a solution must be undertaken by the person who has suffered evil, not by the theodicist on their behalf. The theodicist must instead take up the role of coach or guide to the process of making sense of evil—this is what I call compassionate theodicy. I finish with an example of a resource that attempts a compassionate theodicy, showing the links between theory and practice.
Community partnerships in emerging immigrant communities: Lessons learned addressing Latino childhood weight disparities
Authors: DeCamp Lisa Ross , Acosta Jennifer , Bou Delgado Laura , Guerrero Vazquez Monica , Polk Sarah
Published: February 2021

Latino children have disproportionately high childhood obesity rates, and U.S.‐born Latino children of immigrant parents experience higher overweight/obesity rates than other Latino children. Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) to engage Latino immigrant families and Latino‐serving community organizations is one mechanism to address the lack of effective and practical interventions addressing childhood obesity disparities among Latino children. We present lessons learned from applying CBPR methods to a partnership focused on developing a child obesity treatment program for Latino immigrant families in an emerging Latino immigrant destination to inform the use of CBPR methods in other partnerships in emerging immigrant communities. We encountered challenges working within the partnership related to entrenched sociopolitical hierarchies that were not inclusive of immigrant community leaders, capacity building for partners with limited literacy and administrative experience, and how best to use complementary methods and frameworks to support a community‐engaged research process. This work is one way to promote shared learning among the community of researchers using CBPR and other engagement methods to partner with emerging immigrant communities. Together with our community partners, we can identify strategies to more effectively partner to promote health equity and work toward social justice for all members of our communities.
Lessons from implementing community‐based group classes for severe hypertension
Authors: Bulgin Dominique , Whitney Colette A. , Bakovic Melanie , Kang Yunah , Granger Bradi B. , Biola Holly R.
Published: February 2021

Due to the impact of persistent structural racism, Black men have low rates of hypertension treatment and control despite having high rates of hypertension‐related mortality. Peer‐based education can improve blood pressure monitoring and lower blood pressure in Black men with hypertension. To address this disparity, we implemented weekly community‐based group classes for severe hypertension at a Federally Qualified Health Center. After 9 months, 28 classes were held and 96 individuals were served. Fifty‐six percent of the person‐hours of attendance have been by Black men. Seven individuals were interviewed about their perspectives and preferences for the classes. They reported that the peer‐based model of the group classes was advantageous, and they would recommend the classes to a friend. Successes of implementation included (a) ability to facilitate medication adjustments for participants with blood pressure readings that were over target goal, (b) capacity to give participants take‐home blood pressure monitors, (c) and the community‐centered approach. Challenges included variability in attendance by participants and retention of individuals with uncontrolled hypertension in primary care. These findings have implications for other Federally Qualified Health Centers seeking to design similar health promotion programs and policy makers evaluating the funding and reimbursement models for community‐based disease management programs.
Minimal rational curves on generalized Bott–Samelson varieties
Authors: Brion Michel , Kannan S. Senthamarai
Published: February 2021

We investigate families of minimal rational curves on Schubert varieties, their Bott–Samelson desingularizations, and their generalizations constructed by Nicolas Perrin in the minuscule case. In particular, we describe the minimal families on small resolutions of minuscule Schubert varieties.
The categorified Grothendieck–Riemann–Roch theorem
Authors: Hoyois Marc , Safronov Pavel , Scherotzke Sarah , Sibilla Nicolò
Published: February 2021

In this paper we prove a categorification of the Grothendieck–Riemann–Roch theorem. Our result implies in particular a Grothendieck–Riemann–Roch theorem for Toën and Vezzosi's secondary Chern character. As a main application, we establish a comparison between the Toën–Vezzosi Chern character and the classical Chern character, and show that the categorified Chern character recovers the classical de Rham realization.
Targeted Reduction of p-Boxes in Risk Assessments With Mixed Aleatory and Epistemic Uncertainties
Authors: Rohmer Jeremy
Published: February 2021

The treatment of uncertainty using extra-probabilistic approaches, like intervals or p-boxes, allows for a clear separation between epistemic uncertainty and randomness in the results of risk assessments. This can take the form of an interval of failure probabilities; the interval width W being an indicator of “what is unknown.” In some situations, W is too large to be informative. To overcome this problem, we propose to reverse the usual chain of treatment by starting with the targeted value of W that is acceptable to support the decision-making, and to quantify the necessary reduction in the input p-boxes that allows achieving it. In this view, we assess the feasibility of this procedure using two case studies (risk of dike failure, and risk of rupture of a frame structure subjected to lateral loads). By making the link with the estimation of excursion sets (i.e., the set of points where a function takes values below some prescribed threshold), we propose to alleviate the computational burden of the procedure by relying on the combination of Gaussian process (GP) metamodels and sequential design of computer experiments. The considered test cases show that the estimates can be achieved with only a few tens of calls to the computationally intensive algorithm for mixed aleatory/epistemic uncertainty propagation.
Possibilistic Uncertainty Quantification in One-Dimensional Consolidation Problems
Authors: Boumezerane Djamalddine
Published: February 2021

In this study, we use possibility distribution as a basis for parameter uncertainty quantification in one-dimensional (1D) consolidation problems. A possibility distribution is the one-point coverage function of a random set and is viewed as containing both partial ignorance and uncertainty. Vagueness and scarcity of information needed for characterizing the coefficient of consolidation in clay can be handled using possibility distributions. Possibility distributions can be constructed from existing data, or based on the transformation of probability distributions. An attempt is made to set a systematic approach for estimating uncertainty propagation during the consolidation process. The measure of uncertainty is based on Klir's definition (1995). We make comparisons with results obtained from other approaches (probabilistic…) and discuss the importance of using possibility distributions in this type of problem.
Computer-Aided Design/Tolerancing Integration: A Novel Tolerance Analysis Model of Assemblies With Composite Positional Defects and Deformations of Nonrigid Parts
Authors: Korbi A. , Tlija M. , Louhichi B.
Published: February 2021

Nowadays, the tolerancing integration in computer-aided design (CAD) tools remains among the major goals of mechanical manufacturers. In the virtual product development, ideal and rigid models are used in the digital mockup (DMU). Hence, research works developed integrated CAD models for tolerance analysis, while considering manufacturing defects. However, the tolerance analysis in the case of composite positional tolerance for feature patterns, commonly used in the industry, becomes a difficult activity with the consideration of parts deformations. Thus, this paper presents a novel CAD model for the tolerance analysis considering composite positional defect of features set and nonrigid component deformations due to external mechanical loads. The modeling of rigid components with dimensional defects is established based on the numerical perturbation method. Indeed, the relationships between driving and driven dimensions are determined to obtain the configurations in maximum and least material of the CAD model. Thereafter, the geometrical deviations are modeled by face displacements. The modeling of composite positional errors is performed while respecting the feature relating position tolerance zone framework and the pattern-location tolerance zone framework constraints, as well as the maximum or least material condition. The deviations caused by nonrigid part deformations are considered by the integration of finite element results into the CAD model. The realistic configurations of the assembly are obtained after the updating of mating constraints between rigid and nonrigid parts with defects. The composite positional tolerance is analyzed with the simulation of relative motion between parts. A case study is proposed to evaluate the developed tolerancing method.
Machine-Specific Estimation of Milling Energy Consumption in Detailed Design
Authors: Boettjer Till , Thoft Krogshave Johan , Ramanujan Devarajan
Published: February 2021

Manufacturing is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and there is an urgent need to reduce the energy consumption of production processes. An important step towards this goal is proactively estimating process energy consumption at the detailed design stage. This is a challenging task as variabilities in factors such as process specifications, machine tool architecture, and workpiece geometry can significantly reduce the accuracy of the estimated energy consumption. This paper discusses a methodology for machine-specific energy estimation in milling processes at the detailed design stage based on the unit process life cycle inventory (UPLCI) model. We develop an adjusted UPLCI model that includes adjustment factors for uncertainties in machine tool specifications and the specific cutting energy of a workpiece material. These adjustment factors are calculated through experimental measurement of energy consumption for a reference test part on a specific machine tool. To validate the adjusted UPLCI model, we conducted a case study that measured the energy consumption for machining three parts made of Aluminum 6082 on two separate three-axis vertical milling machines, a Chevalier QP2040-L and a Leadwell MCV-OP. Results show that the UPLCI model consistently overestimated the total energy consumption for machining the three validation parts across both machine tools. We also found that the adjusted UPLCI model significantly reduced the estimation errors for the same tests for both machine tools.
An Actor-Oriented Perspective on Implementing a Pedagogical Innovation in a Cycling Unit
Authors: Vasily Andy , Fletcher Tim , Gleddie Doug , Ní Chróinín Déirdre
Published: February 2021

Purpose:The purpose of this research was to use an actor-oriented perspective to analyze one teacher’s implementation of the Meaningful Physical Education approach in one Grade 5 classroom in Saudi Arabia.Method:A single case study design was used, with the case being defined as Andy and his teaching of a cycling unit to one Grade 5 class. Data consisted of blog posts, tweets, and semistructured interviews.Results:Andy identified several spheres of influence on implementation, including his personal philosophy, students, co-teachers, and several organizational/environmental characteristics of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) School, as well as important attributes of the innovation that supported implementation.Discussion/Conclusion:An actor-oriented perspective offered insight into a teacher’s insider perspective of a pedagogical innovation, which enabled understanding of how he made sense of Meaningful Physical Education and used those ideas to guide planning, instructional, and assessment decisions in the cycling unit.
A lost world in Wallacea: Description of a montane archipelagic avifauna
Authors: Rheindt Frank E. , Prawiradilaga Dewi M. , Ashari Hidayat , Suparno  , Gwee Chyi Yin , Lee Geraldine W. X. , Wu Meng Yue , Ng Nathaniel S. R.
Published: February 2021

Finding new species

Thousands of species have been described, and, although most may agree that many thousand remain undiscovered, identifying new taxa of charismatic vertebrates, like birds, is rare. Rheindt
et al.
describe five new songbird species and five new subspecies found on a single small island near Sulawesi, Indonesia, over a single 6-week expedition (see the Perspective by Kennedy and Fjeldså). They targeted the area because of its geological history and complexity and the historical notes of other explorers. They argue that similar approaches in other regions could also lead to the discovery of new species.

Science
, this issue p.
167
; see also p.
140
A Postbiotic Consisting of Heat-Treated Lactobacilli Has a Bifidogenic Effect in Pure Culture and in Human Fermented Fecal Communities
Authors: Warda Alicja K. , Clooney Adam G. , Ryan Feargal , de Almeida Bettio Pedro H. , Di Benedetto Giulio , Ross Reynolds P. , Hill Colin
Published: February 2021

In general, disruptions to the gut microbiota are associated with multiple disorders in humans. The presence of high levels of
Bifidobacterium
spp. in the human gut is commonly considered beneficial.
Haloferax mediterranei Halolysin R4 Confers Antagonistic and Defensive Capabilities
Authors: Chen Shaoxing , Sun Siqi , Wang Rui , Feng Hongli , Xiang Hua
Published: February 2021

This study shows that halolysin R4 from
Haloferax mediterranei
provides its host antagonistic and defensive activities against other haloarchaea, which expands our knowledge of the traditional function of haloarchaeal extracellular proteases. Haloarchaeal extracellular serine proteases have been previously discussed as growth phase-dependent proteins, whereas our study reports constitutive expression of halolysin R4.
Transient Surface Hydration Impacts Biogeography and Intercellular Interactions of Nonmotile Bacteria
Authors: Weaver Abigail A. , Bolster Diogo , Madukoma Chinedu S. , Mattingly Anne E. , Morales-Soto Nydia , Shrout Joshua D.
Published: February 2021

Understanding the dynamics within microbiome communities is a challenge. Knowledge of phylogeny and spatial arrangement has led to increased understanding of numerous polymicrobial communities, yet these snapshots do not convey the dynamics of populations over time.
Inhibition of the Classical Pathway of Complement Activation Impairs Bacterial Clearance during Enterococcus faecalis Infection
Authors: Shehab El-Din Eman M. Rabie , Elgaml Abdelaziz , Ali Youssif M. , Hassan Ramadan
Published: February 2021

Enterococcus faecalis
infections are considered a major public health concern worldwide. The complement system has a crucial role in the protection against different microbial pathogens, including
E. faecalis
.
Inactivation of the Pta-AckA Pathway Impairs Fitness of Bacillus anthracis during Overflow Metabolism
Authors: Won Harim I. , Watson Sean M. , Ahn Jong-Sam , Endres Jennifer L. , Bayles Kenneth W. , Sadykov Marat R.
Published: February 2021

B. anthracis
, the etiological agent of anthrax, is a highly pathogenic, spore-forming bacterium that causes acute, life-threatening disease in both humans and livestock. A greater understanding of the metabolic determinants governing the fitness of
B. anthracis
is essential for the development of successful therapeutic and vaccination strategies aimed at lessening the potential impact of this important biodefense pathogen.
Hemozoin Promotes Lung Inflammation via Host Epithelial Activation
Authors: Shah Shivang S. , Fidock David A. , Prince Alice S.
Published: February 2021

Respiratory distress (RD) is a complication of severe malaria associated with a particularly high risk for death in African children infected with the parasitePlasmodium falciparum. The pathophysiology underlying RD remains poorly understood, and the condition is managed supportively.
Quantifying Absolute Neutralization Titers against SARS-CoV-2 by a Standardized Virus Neutralization Assay Allows for Cross-Cohort Comparisons of COVID-19 Sera
Authors: Oguntuyo Kasopefoluwa Y. , Stevens Christian S. , Hung Chuan Tien , Ikegame Satoshi , Acklin Joshua A. , Kowdle Shreyas S. , Carmichael Jillian C. , Chiu Hsin-Ping , Azarm Kristopher D. , Haas Griffin D. , Amanat Fatima , Klingler Jéromine , Baine Ian , Arinsburg Suzanne , Bandres Juan C. , Siddiquey Mohammed N. A. , Schilke Robert M. , Woolard Matthew D. , Zhang Hongbo ,   COVIDAR Argentina Consortium, Duty Andrew J. , Kraus Thomas A. , Moran Thomas M. , Tortorella Domenico , Lim Jean K. , Gamarnik Andrea V. , Hioe Catarina E. , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Ivanov Stanimir S. , Kamil Jeremy P. , Krammer Florian , Lee Benhur
Published: February 2021

Vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics like convalescent-phase plasma therapy are premised upon inducing or transferring neutralizing antibodies that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Virus neutralization assays (VNAs) for measuring neutralizing antibody titers (NATs) are an essential part of determining vaccine or therapeutic efficacy.
The Balance of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Nuclease Degradation: an Unknown Role of Bacterial Coinfections in COVID-19 Patients?
Authors: de Buhr Nicole , von Köckritz-Blickwede Maren
Published: February 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is leading to public health crises worldwide. An understanding of the pathogenesis and the development of treatment strategies is of high interest. Recently, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been identified as a potential driver of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans. NETs are extracellular DNA fibers released by neutrophils after contact with various stimuli and accumulate antimicrobial substances or host defense peptides.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Uses c-di-GMP Phosphodiesterases RmcA and MorA To Regulate Biofilm Maintenance
Authors: Katharios-Lanwermeyer S. , Whitfield G. B. , Howell P. L. , O’Toole G. A.
Published: February 2021

Recent advances in our understanding of c-di-GMP signaling have provided key insights into the regulation of biofilms. Despite an improved understanding of how biofilms initially form, the processes that facilitate the long-term maintenance of these multicellular communities remain opaque.
IL-27 Negatively Regulates Tip-DC Development during Infection
Authors: Liu Gongguan , Abas Osama , Fu Yong , Chen Yanli , Strickland Ashley B. , Sun Donglei , Shi Meiqing
Published: February 2021

TNF/iNOS-producing dendritic cells (Tip-DCs) are at the front line as immune effector cells to fight off a broad range of invading microbes. Excessive development of Tip-DCs contributes to tissue destruction.
A Heterogeneously Expressed Gene Family Modulates the Biofilm Architecture and Hypoxic Growth of
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Kowalski Caitlin H. , Morelli Kaesi A. , Stajich Jason E. , Nadell Carey D. , Cramer Robert A.
Published: February 2021

The manipulation of microbial biofilms in industrial and clinical applications remains a difficult task. The problem is particularly acute with regard to filamentous fungal biofilms for which molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation, maintenance, and function are only just being elucidated.
Identification and Molecular Dissection of IMC32, a Conserved
Toxoplasma
Inner Membrane Complex Protein That Is Essential for Parasite Replication
Authors: Torres Juan A. , Pasquarelli Rebecca R. , Back Peter S. , Moon Andy S. , Bradley Peter J.
Published: February 2021

The IMC is an important organelle that apicomplexan parasites use to maintain their intracellular lifestyle. While many IMC proteins have been identified, only a few central players that are essential for internal budding have been described and even fewer are conserved across the phylum.
Experimentally Validated Reconstruction and Analysis of a Genome-Scale Metabolic Model of an Anaerobic Neocallimastigomycota Fungus
Authors: Wilken St. Elmo , Monk Jonathan M. , Leggieri Patrick A. , Lawson Christopher E. , Lankiewicz Thomas S. , Seppälä Susanna , Daum Chris G. , Jenkins Jerry , Lipzen Anna M. , Mondo Stephen J. , Barry Kerrie W. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Henske John K. , Theodorou Michael K. , Palsson Bernhard O. , Petzold Linda R. , O’Malley Michelle A.
Published: February 2021

Recent genomic analyses have revealed that anaerobic gut fungi possess both the largest number and highest diversity of lignocellulolytic enzymes of all sequenced fungi, explaining their ability to decompose lignocellulosic substrates, e.g., agricultural waste, into fermentable sugars. Despite their potential, the development of engineering methods for these organisms has been slow due to their complex life cycle, understudied metabolism, and challenging anaerobic culture requirements.
Research for Health Justice: an ethical framework linking global health research to health equity
Authors: Pratt Bridget
Published: February 2021

Global health research should generate new knowledge to improve the health and well-being of those considered disadvantaged and marginalised. This goal motivates much of the global health research being undertaken today. Yet simply funding and conducting global health research will not necessarily generate the knowledge needed to help reduce health disparities between and within countries. Global health research grants programmes and projects must be structured in a particular way to generate that type of information. But how exactly should they be designed to do so? Through a programme of ethics research starting in 2009, an ethical framework called Research for Health Justice was developed that provides guidance to global health researchers and funders on how to design research projects and grants programmes to promote global health equity. It provides guidance on, for example, what research populations and questions ought to be selected, what research capacity strengthening ought to be performed and what post-study benefits ought to be provided. This paper describes how the ‘research for health justice’ framework was generated and pulls together a body of work spanning the last decade to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date version of its guidance.
Coping and support-seeking in out-of-home care: a qualitative study of the views of young people in care in England
Authors: Hiller Rachel M , Halligan Sarah L , Meiser-Stedman Richard , Elliott Elizabeth , Rutter-Eley Emily , Hutt Tilly
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Young people who have been removed from their family home and placed in out-of-home care have commonly experienced abuse, neglect and/or other forms of early adversity. High rates of mental health difficulties have been well documented in this group. The aim of this research was to explore the experiences of these young people within the care system, particularly in relation to support-seeking and coping with emotional needs, to better understand feasible and acceptable ways to improve outcomes for these young people.

Design and study setting

This study used 1:1 semistructured qualitative interviews with young people in out-of-home care in England, to provide an in-depth understanding of their views of coping and support for their emotional needs, both in terms of support networks and experiences with mental health services. Participants were 25 young people aged 10–16 years old (56% female), and included young people living with non-biological foster carers, kinship carers and in residential group homes.

Results

Participants described positive (eg, feeling safe) and negative (eg, feeling judged) aspects to being in care. Carers were identified as the primary source of support, with a supportive adult central to coping. Views on support and coping differed for young people who were experiencing more significant mental health difficulties, with this group largely reporting feeling unsupported and many engaging in self-harm. The minority of participants had accessed formal mental health support, and opinions on usefulness were mixed.

Conclusions

Results provide insight, from the perspective of care-experienced young people, about both barriers and facilitators to help-seeking, as well as avenues for improving support.
Improving clinical documentation: introduction of electronic health records in paediatrics
Authors: Koh Justin , Ahmed Mansoor
Published: February 2021

Medical records are crucial facet of a patient’s journey. These provide the clinician with a permanent record of the patient’s illness and ongoing medical care, thus enabling informed clinical decisions. In many hospitals, patient medical records are written on paper. However, written notes are liable to misinterpretation due to illegibility and misplacement. This can affect the patient’s medical care and has medico-legal implications. Electronic patient records (EPR) have been gradually introduced to replace patient’s paper notes with the aim of providing a more reliable record-keeping system. It is perceived that EPR improve the quality and efficiency of patient care. The paediatric department at Queen’s Hospital Burton uses a mix of paper notes and computerised medical records. Clinicians primarily use paper notes for admission clerking, ward rounds, ward reviews and outpatient clinic consultations. Laboratory tests, imaging results and prescription requests are executed via the EPR system. Documentation by nurses is also carried out electronically. We aimed to improve and standardise clinical documentation of paediatric admissions and ward round notes by developing electronic proforma for initial paediatric clerking, ward rounds and patient reviews. This quality improvement project improved clinical documentation on the paediatric wards and enhanced patient record-keeping, boosted clinical information-sharing and streamlined patient journey. It fulfilled various generic multidisciplinary record keeping audit tool standards endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians by 100%. We undertook a staff survey to investigate the opinion before and after implementing the electronic health record. Doctors, nurses and healthcare support workers overwhelmingly supported the quality, usefulness, completeness of specified fields and practicality of the electronic records.