bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information and communication technology coordinators: Their intended roles and architectures for learning
Authors: Woo David James , Law Nancy
Published: January 2020

This paper explores the roles of information and communication technology (ICT) coordinators, using architectures for learning as the theoretical framework to identify (a) the structures and mechanisms utilized to decide the role of a coordinator and (b) those organized for the coordinator to realize a role within a school context of ICT‐enabled, instructional reform. Data on ICT coordinator roles were collected from semi‐structured interviews with ICT coordinators and colleagues, and from school documents. The data were analysed and coded according to the elements of architectures for learning and shown to influence instructional reform. The paper presents four cases of ICT coordinators with roles intended to provide instructional support, technical support, both instructional and technical support, and neither instructional nor technical support. By comparing architectures for learning associated with different intended roles, we find that different conceptualizations of the ICT coordinator are connected to particular decision‐making mechanisms and organizational units found in a school. We also uncover differences in architectures for learning organized for ICT coordinators that are intended to provide instructional support compared with those intended to provide technical support. Using an architectures for learning framework in the design of an ICT coordinator role can be foundational to the successful participation of the role in the instructional reform.
Expert consensus on clinical applicability of the American Geriatrics Society‐Beers Criteria to older persons in Africa: An exploratory validation study
Authors: Saka Sule Ajibola , Oosthuizen Frasia , Nlooto Manimbulu
Published: January 2020

Rationale, aims and objectives

There are currently no criteria to guide appropriate prescribing to older persons in Africa. Although the American Geriatrics Society‐Beers (AGS‐Beers) Criteria appear to be favoured by African researchers, there is a need to adapt its recommendations to the continent's health care systems. This study aimed to adapt the AGS‐Beers recommendations to Nigerian and South African health care contexts.

Methods

A modified Delphi technique was used to explore Nigerian and South African experts' consensus on the applicability of the 2015 AGS‐Beers Criteria recommendations to older persons in Africa. Thirty‐two recommendations, 21 from the parent Criteria and 11 modified, were explored among 10 purposively selected medical and pharmacy experts in a predetermined two‐round survey that utilized a 5‐point Likert scale. Consensus was defined as a lower‐limit 95% CI mean ratings of ≥3.0.

Results

Overall, the experts reached consensus on 62.5% (20/32) of the recommendations and 76.2% (16/21) of the parent AGS‐Beers' recommendations specifically. While the experts consensually agreed that medications with strong anticholinergic effects should be generally avoided in older persons, mean = 4.11 (SD = ±1.27, 95% CI, 3.14‐5.09), they could not reach a consensus on the context‐specific recommendation to avoid amitriptyline in neuropathic pain mean = 3.11 (SD = ±1.05, 95% CI, 2.30‐3.92).

Conclusions

The 2015 AGS‐Beers Criteria were adapted to the Nigerian and South African health care contexts. The adapted and the parent recommendations differed in their context specificity. The recommendations may serve as a guide to clinicians when prescribing medications to older persons in Nigeria and South Africa.
Spatial perspectives enhance modeling of nanomaterial risks
Authors: Moore Elizabeth A. , Babbitt Callie W. , Tomaszewski Brian , Tyler Anna Christina
Published: January 2020

Novel engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly being manufactured and integrated into renewable energy generation and storage technologies. Past research estimated the potential impact of this increased demand on environmental systems, due to both the life cycle impact of ENM production and the potential for their direct release into ecosystems. However, many models treat ENM production and use as spatially implicit, without considering the specific geographic location of potential emissions. By not considering geographical context, ENM accumulation or impact may be underestimated. Here, we introduce an integrated predictive model that forecasts likely ENM manufacturing locations and potential emissions to the environment, with a focus on critical environmental areas and freshwater ecosystems. Spatially explicit ENM concentrations are estimated for four case study ENMs that have promising application in lithium‐ion battery production. Results demonstrate that potential ENM exposure from manufacturing locations within buffer zones of sensitive ecosystems would accumulate to levels associated with measured ecotoxicity risk under high release scenarios, underscoring the importance of adding a spatial and temporal perspective to life cycle toxicity impact assessment. This predictive integrated modeling approach is novel to the nanomaterial literature and can be adapted to other regions and material case studies to proactively inform life cycle tradeoffs and decision‐making.
How do the ownership structure and board of directors' features impact earnings management? The Spanish case
Authors: Saona Paolo , Muro Laura , Alvarado María
Published: January 2020

This paper examines how the ownership structure and board of directors' features determine the managerial opportunistic behavior exemplified in the management of accounting earnings. This study contributes to the literature by investigating the relationship of firm‐level and country‐level corporate governance systems on the earnings management in the Spanish corporate sector. Results reveal that the varying efficiency of the corporate governance systems is reflected in the way in which accounting discretion is performed. We found evidence that earnings management is reduced as the voting rights of the controlling shareholder increased and that there is an inverse U‐shaped relationship between insiders' ownership and the earnings manipulation. Regarding the board characteristics, we observe that larger, independent boards, those with a larger proportion of female members, and those with an audit committee compounded by a greater proportion of outside independent directors oversee managers more efficiently, constraining their capacity to manage earnings. To the contrary, board duality increases the likelihood of opportunistic manipulation of financial reporting. We found that when the institutional environment improves in the Spanish context, the discretionary power of the corporate sector to overstate the financial statements is reduced. The findings prove the necessity of reinforcing the rules and regulations toward a more transparent disclosure of the financial statements.
The effect of thermoregulation quality improvement initiatives on the admission temperature of premature/very low birth‐weight infants in neonatal intensive care units: A systematic review
Authors: Donnellan Denise , Moore Zena , Patton Declan , O'Connor Tom , Nugent Linda
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to ascertain the impact of thermoregulation quality improvement initiatives (QIs) on the admission temperatures of premature/very‐low‐birth‐weight infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods

A systematic search of databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library was carried out. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were adhered to, with no publication date limitations added. The chosen studies were examined for quality, data were extracted and analysed, before a narrative synthesis was performed. The last search occurred on January 7, 2019, with PRISMA flow diagrams completed for identified studies.

Results

Ten studies of varying methodology design were included in this review. Variations of thermoregulation interventions were included in the 10 studies. Nevertheless, all of them demonstrated that admission temperature rates can be significantly improved by implementing a thermoregulation QI. The multidisciplinary team and ongoing education were seen as much needed components to the overall sustainability, and continuing success of the QI's.

Practical Implications

This systematic review determines that thermoregulation QIs can positively impact the admission temperatures of premature/very‐low‐birth‐weight infants in the NICU. Prevention of hypothermia is aimed at reducing the risks of developing major neonatal morbidities. The pooling of the results from the 10 studies helps in the sharing of outcome measures and thus, improving quantitative synthesis. More frequent monitoring of the axillary temperature would help in preventing hypothermia and hyperthermia occurring. Ongoing education and staff training are essential for managing thermoregulation successfully. Examining the compliance rates to such quality initiatives, and the variations in interventions would benefit from further research to ensure better standardisation of clinical practice.
Obstructive sleep apnea and hypertriglyceridaemia share common genetic background: Results of a twin study
Authors: Meszaros Martina , Tarnoki Adam Domonkos , Tarnoki David Laszlo , Kovacs Daniel Tamas , Forgo Bianka , Lee Jooyeon , Sung Joohon , Vestbo Jørgen , Müller Veronika , Kunos Laszlo , Bikov Andras
Published: January 2020

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Both obstructive sleep apnea and its comorbidities are at least partly heritable, suggesting a common genetic background. Our aim was to analyse the heritability of the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and its comorbidities using a twin study. Forty‐seven monozygotic and 22 dizygotic adult twin pairs recruited from the Hungarian Twin Registry (mean age 51 ± 15 years) attended an overnight diagnostic sleep study. A medical history was taken, blood pressure was measured, and blood samples were taken for fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein (a). To evaluate the heritability of obstructive sleep apnea and its comorbidities bivariate analysis was performed with an adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and smoking after false discovery rate correction and following exclusion of patients on lipid‐lowering and antidiabetic medications. There was a significant correlation between indices of obstructive sleep apnea severity, such as the apnea–hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index and percentage of sleep time spent with oxygen saturation below 90%, as well as blood pressure, serum triglyceride, lipoprotein (a) and glucose levels (all p < .05). The bivariate analysis revealed a common genetic background for the correlations between serum triglyceride and the oxygen desaturation index (r = .63, p = .03), as well as percentage of sleep time spent with oxygen saturation below 90% (r = .58, p = .03). None of the other correlations were significantly genetically or environmentally determined. This twin study demonstrates that the co‐occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea with hypertriglyceridaemia has a genetic influence and heritable factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of dyslipidaemia in obstructive sleep apnea.
Cross‐comparison of convergence algorithms to solve trip‐based dynamic traffic assignment problems
Authors: Ameli Mostafa , Lebacque Jean‐Patrick , Leclercq Ludovic
Published: January 2020

Solving a dynamic traffic assignment problem in a transportation network is a computational challenge. This study first reviews the different algorithms in the literature used to numerically calculate the user equilibrium (UE) related to dynamic network loading. Most of them are based on iterative methods to solve a fixed‐point problem. Two elements must be computed: the path set and the optimal path flow distribution between all origin–destination pairs. In a generic framework, these two steps are referred to as the outer and the inner loops, respectively. The goal of this study is to assess the computational performance of the inner loop methods that calculate the path flow distribution for different network settings (mainly network size and demand levels). Several improvements are also proposed to speed up convergence: four new swapping algorithms and two new methods for the step size initialization used in each descent iteration. All these extensions significantly reduce the number of iterations to obtain a good convergence rate and drastically speed up the overall simulations. The results show that the performance of different components of the solution algorithm is sensitive to the network size and saturation. Finally, the best algorithms and settings are identified for all network sizes with particular attention being given to the largest scale.
Discriminant haplotypes of avirulence genes of Phytophthora sojae lead to a molecular assay to predict phenotypes
Authors: Dussault‐Benoit Chloé , Arsenault‐Labrecque Geneviève , Sonah Humira , Belzile François , Bélanger Richard R.
Published: January 2020

The soybean–Phytophthora sojae interaction operates on a gene‐for‐gene relationship, where the product of a resistance gene (Rps) in the host recognizes that of an avirulence gene (Avr) in the pathogen to generate an incompatible reaction. To exploit this form of resistance, one must match with precision the appropriate Rps gene with the corresponding Avr gene. Currently, this association is evaluated by phenotyping assays that are labour‐intensive and often imprecise. To circumvent this limitation, we sought to develop a molecular assay that would reveal the avirulence allele of the seven main Avr genes (Avr1a, Avr1b, Avr1c, Avr1d, Avr1k, Avr3a, and Avr6) in order to diagnose with precision the pathotypes of P. sojae isolates. For this purpose, we analysed the genomic regions of these Avr genes in 31 recently sequenced isolates with different virulence profiles and identified discriminant mutations between avirulence and virulence alleles. Specific primers were designed to generate amplicons of a distinct size, and polymerase chain reaction conditions were optimized in a final assay of two parallel runs. When tested on the 31 isolates of known virulence, the assay accurately revealed all avirulence alleles. The test was further assessed and compared to a phenotyping assay on 25 isolates of unknown virulence. The two assays matched in 97% (170/175) of the interactions studied. Interestingly, the sole cases of discrepancy were obtained with Avr3a, which suggests a possible imperfect interaction with Rps3a. This molecular assay offers a powerful and reliable tool to exploit and study with greater precision soybean resistance against P. sojae.
Fibre‐specific regulation of lignin biosynthesis improves biomass quality in Populus
Authors: Gui Jinshan , Lam Pui Ying , Tobimatsu Yuki , Sun Jiayan , Huang Cheng , Cao Shumin , Zhong Yu , Umezawa Toshiaki , Li Laigeng
Published: January 2020

Lignin is a major component of cell wall biomass and decisively affects biomass utilisation. Engineering of lignin biosynthesis is extensively studied, while lignin modification often causes growth defects.

We developed a strategy for cell‐type‐specific modification of lignin to achieve improvements in cell wall property without growth penalty. We targeted a lignin‐related transcription factor, LTF1, for modification of lignin biosynthesis. LTF1 can be engineered to a nonphosphorylation form which is introduced into Populus under the control of either a vessel‐specific or fibre‐specific promoter.

The transgenics with lignin suppression in vessels showed severe dwarfism and thin‐walled vessels, while the transgenics with lignin suppression in fibres displayed vigorous growth with normal vessels under phytotron, glasshouse and field conditions. In‐depth lignin structural analyses revealed that such cell‐type‐specific downregulation of lignin biosynthesis led to the alteration of overall lignin composition in xylem tissues reflecting the population of distinctive lignin polymers produced in vessel and fibre cells.

This study demonstrates that fibre‐specific suppression of lignin biosynthesis resulted in the improvement of wood biomass quality and saccharification efficiency and presents an effective strategy to precisely regulate lignin biosynthesis with desired growth performance.
miRNA precursor‐derived SSR marker‐mediated genotyping of tea (Camellia sinensis) cultivars with varying health benefit traits
Authors: Hazra Anjan , Dasgupta Nirjhar , Kumar Rakesh , Sengupta Chandan , Das Sauren
Published: January 2020

Besides its popular refreshing value, tea is globally consumed as a potential health beverage. Health benefit traits primarily rely on some regulatory networks of different metabolic pathways. In tea, the trait‐specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers are still insufficient, which could be used for marker‐assisted breeding technique. MicroRNAs are endogenous, non‐coding, short RNAs directly involved in regulating gene expressions at the post‐transcriptional level. It has been found that differences in miRNA precursor gene sequences interfere their structure formation and obstruct subsequent function. SSR motifs within the putative miRNA precursor genes have been identified followed by experimental validation of their existence and variation exclusively in tea. Simultaneously, diverse commercial accessions of Indian tea were undergone rigorous phenotyping during three plucking seasons to assess 20 chemotypic traits by high‐throughput techniques. Six miRNA‐SSR marker‐generated bands consisted the putative trait‐associated loci. Newly developed microRNAs (mi408, miR5021a and miR2863) precursor‐derived SSR markers, miSSR‐03, miSSR‐11 and miSSR‐14, executed convincing results in distinguishing tea cultivars with contrasting health benefit traits. This is in accordance with the earlier reports where mi408, miR5021a and miR2863 have been found to be involved in cellular pathways conferring tolerance to oxidative stress. Consequently, these markers can be used further as suitable choice to select promising tea genotypes with sound antioxidant quality.
Extracellular vesicles released by melanocytes after UVA irradiation promote intercellular signaling via miR21
Authors: Wäster Petra , Eriksson Ida , Vainikka Linda , Öllinger Karin
Published: January 2020

Skin pigmentation is controlled by complex crosstalk between melanocytes and keratinocytes and is primarily induced by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Several aspects of UVA‐induced signaling remain to be explored. In skin cells, UVA induces plasma membrane damage, which is repaired by lysosomal exocytosis followed by instant shedding of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the plasma membrane. The released EVs are taken up by neighboring cells. To elucidate the intercellular crosstalk induced by UVA irradiation, EVs were purified from UVA‐exposed melanocytes and added to keratinocytes. Transcriptome analysis of the keratinocytes revealed the activation of TGF‐β and IL‐6/STAT3 signaling pathways and subsequent upregulation of microRNA (miR)21. EVs induced phosphorylation of ERK and JNK, reduced protein levels of PDCD4 and PTEN, and augment antiapoptotic signaling. Consequently, keratinocyte proliferation and migration were stimulated and UV‐induced apoptosis was significantly reduced. Interestingly, melanoma cells and melanoma spheroids also generate increased amounts of EVs with capacity to stimulate proliferation and migration upon UVA. In conclusion, we present a novel intercellular crosstalk mediated by UVA‐induced lysosome‐derived EVs leading to the activation of proliferation and antiapoptotic signaling via miR21.
Theoretical Study of the Wavelength Selection for the Photocleavage of Coumarin‐caged D‐luciferin
Authors: Usukura Junko , Hiyama Miyabi , Kurata Maki , Hazama Yuji , Qiu Xing‐Ping , Winnik Francoise M. , Akiyama Hidefumi , Koga Nobuaki
Published: January 2020

The equilibrium structures and optical properties of the photolabile caged luciferin, (7‐diethylaminocoumarin‐4‐yl)methyl caged D‐luciferin (DEACM‐caged D‐luciferin), in aqueous solution were investigated via quantum chemical calculations. The probable conformers of DEACM‐caged D‐luciferin were determined by potential energy curve scans and structural optimizations. We identified 40 possible conformers of DEACM‐caged D‐luciferin in water by comparing the Gibbs free energy of the optimized structures. Despite the difference in their structures, the conformers were similar in terms of assignments, oscillator strengths and energies of the three low‐lying excited states. From the concentrations of the conformers and their oscillator strengths, we obtained a theoretical UV/Vis spectrum of DEACM‐caged D‐luciferin that has two main bands of shape nearly identical to the experimental UV/Vis spectrum. The absorption bands with maxima ~ 384 and 339 nm were attributed to the electronic excitations of the caged group and the luciferin moiety, respectively, by analysis of the theoretical UV/Vis spectrum. Furthermore, the analysis showed that DEACM‐caged D‐luciferin is excited in the caged group only by light of wavelength ranging within 400–430 nm, which is in the long‐wavelength tail of the 384 nm band. This should be tested to lower damage upon photocleavage.
Effect of Photobiomodulation on C2C12 Myoblasts Cultivated in M1 Macrophage‐conditioned Media
Authors: dos Santos Tainá Caroline , de Brito Sousa Kaline , Andreo Lucas , Martinelli Andreia , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Setubal Destro , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel Agnelli
Published: January 2020

Moderate levels of a proinflammatory macrophages phenotype are indispensable and play an important role in the skeletal muscle repair process since this response depends on their secreted products concentration to influence and modulate muscle inflammation as well as the differentiation of myoblasts. This study investigated the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on undifferentiated and differentiation‐induced C2C12 myoblasts cultivated in different concentrations of M1 phenotype macrophage‐conditioned media of J774 cells (MCM1) also submitted to PBM using the same irradiation parameters. Irradiation was performed once with low‐level laser (780 nm, 70 mW, 1 J) and was evaluated cell viability, proliferation and differentiation, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and IL‐6 and TNF‐α protein levels 24 and 48 h after C2C12 irradiation. PBM treatment in undifferentiated myoblasts exhibited lower IL‐6 levels in the presence of nonirradiated MCM1 at both concentrations. Myoblasts in proliferation condition cultivated with irradiated MCM1 showed lower IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels after 48 h in the presence of both concentrations evaluated. PBM induced a decrease in the synthesis of NO on undifferentiated and differentiation‐induced myoblasts. PBM was able to reduce the level of proinflammatory protein and markers, which are important to allow the differentiation of myoblasts during the muscle repair process.
Probability Size Matters: The Effect of Foreground‐Only versus Foreground+Background Graphs on Risk Aversion Diminishes with Larger Probabilities
Authors: Okan Yasmina , Stone Eric R. , Parillo Jonathan , Bruine de Bruin Wändi , Parker Andrew M.
Published: January 2020

Graphs are increasingly recommended for improving decision‐making and promoting risk‐avoidant behaviors. Graphs that depict only the number of people affected by a risk (“foreground‐only” displays) tend to increase perceived risk and risk aversion (e.g., willingness to get vaccinated), as compared to graphs that also depict the number of people at risk for harm (“foreground+background” displays). However, previous research examining these “foreground‐only effects” has focused on relatively low‐probability risks (<10%), limiting generalizability to communications about larger risks. In two experiments, we systematically investigated the moderating role of probability size on foreground‐only effects, using a wide range of probability sizes (from 0.1% to 40%). Additionally, we examined the moderating role of the size of the risk reduction, that is, the extent to which a protective behavior reduces the risk. Across both experiments, foreground‐only effects on perceived risk and risk aversion were weaker for larger probabilities. Experiment 2 also revealed that foreground‐only effects were weaker for smaller risk reductions, while foreground‐only displays decreased understanding of absolute risk magnitudes independently of probability size. These findings suggest that the greater effectiveness of foreground‐only versus foreground+background displays for increasing perceived risk and risk aversion diminishes with larger probability sizes and smaller risk reductions. Moreover, if the goal is to promote understanding of absolute risk magnitudes, foreground+background displays should be used rather than foreground‐only displays regardless of probability size. Our findings also help to refine and extend existing theoretical accounts of foreground‐only effects to situations involving a wide range of probability sizes.
Efficient Data Augmentation for Multivariate Probit Models with Panel Data: An Application to General Practitioner Decision Making about Contraceptives
Authors: Chin Vincent , Gunawan David , Fiebig Denzil G. , Kohn Robert , Sisson Scott A.
Published: January 2020

The paper considers the problem of estimating a multivariate probit model in a panel data setting with emphasis on sampling a high dimensional correlation matrix and improving the overall efficiency of the data augmentation approach. We reparameterize the correlation matrix in a principled way and then carry out efficient Bayesian inference by using Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling. We also propose a novel antithetic variable method to generate samples from the posterior distribution of the random effects and regression coefficients, resulting in significant gains in efficiency. We apply the methodology by analysing stated preference data obtained from Australian general practitioners evaluating alternative contraceptive products. Our analysis suggests that the joint probability of discussing combinations of contraceptive products with a patient shows medical practice variation among the general practitioners, which indicates some resistance even to discuss these products, let alone to recommend them.
Informality and Latino‐Owned Businesses: A National Portrait of Unregistered Latino‐Owned Businesses
Authors: Pisani Michael J. , Morales Alfonso
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study provides the first nationally representative portrait of unregistered (informal) Latino‐owned businesses (LOBs) in the United States.

Methods

We employ data from the 2018 Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Survey of 4,024 U.S. LOBs. We estimate the determinants of unregistered LOBs through a set of independent variables derived from entrepreneur demographics/firm characteristics utilizing a binomial logistic regression to predict the odds of group membership between (un)registered LOBs.

Results

Approximately one‐third of LOBs across the United States operate as unregistered enterprises. We find that LOB firm registration is associated with higher levels of education of the entrepreneur and larger size of the LOB. We uncover further links between entrepreneur acculturation and gender, and firm product offering and clientele ethnicity, with firm registration.

Conclusion

For the first time, we are able to establish a quantitative baseline for informality and firm registration among LOBs using a nationally representative sample.
Photosynthesis in the fleeting shadows: an overlooked opportunity for increasing crop productivity?
Authors: Wang Yu , Burgess Steven J. , de Becker Elsa M. , Long Stephen P.
Published: January 2020

Photosynthesis measurements are traditionally taken under steady‐state conditions; however, leaves in crop fields experience frequent fluctuations in light and take time to respond. This slow response reduces the efficiency of carbon assimilation. Transitions from low to high light require photosynthetic induction, including the activation of Rubisco and the opening of stomata, whereas transitions from high to low light require the relaxation of dissipative energy processes, collectively known as non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). Previous attempts to assess the impact of these delays on net carbon assimilation have used simplified models of crop canopies, limiting the accuracy of predictions. Here, we use ray tracing to predict the spatial and temporal dynamics of lighting for a rendered mature Glycine max (soybean) canopy to review the relative importance of these delays on net cumulative assimilation over the course of both a sunny and a cloudy summer day. Combined limitations result in a 13% reduction in crop carbon assimilation on both sunny and cloudy days, with induction being more important on cloudy than on sunny days. Genetic variation in NPQ relaxation rates and photosynthetic induction in parental lines of a soybean nested association mapping (NAM) population was assessed. Short‐term NPQ relaxation (<30 min) showed little variation across the NAM lines, but substantial variation was found in the speeds of photosynthetic induction, attributable to Rubisco activation. Over the course of a sunny and an intermittently cloudy day these would translate to substantial differences in total crop carbon assimilation. These findings suggest an unexplored potential for breeding improved photosynthetic potential in our major crops.
Is a de novo nonsense variant in the ASPDH gene the cause of ulcerative skin lesions in a Holstein calf?
Authors: Brunner Magdalena A. T. , Veiga Inês M. B. , Niggeler Allegra , Häfliger Irene M. , Stettler Manuela , Meylan Mireille , Welle Monika , Drögemüller Cord
Published: January 2020

Background

Genetic skin diseases in cattle are rare.

Clinical summary

A 7‐week‐old female Holstein calf was presented with epidermal lesions and alopecia in the caudal region of the ears and on the neck, as well as deep bilateral ulcerative lesions on the palmar aspect of the metacarpi and dorsal aspect of the right metacarpus. Clinical, pathological and histopathological examination of the calf was suggestive of a subepidermal vesicular dermatosis. Genetic analysis identified a de novo non‐sense variant affecting the aspartate dehydrogenase domain containing (ASPDH) gene, which might be associated with the formation of subepidermal vesicles in this case.

Conclusion and clinical importance

The observed phenotype in the calf may represent a novel form of a vesicular skin disorder. Haploinsufficiency of the ASPDH gene might be considered as a possible cause.
Patulous Eustachian tube and palatine defect in a Dachshund with chronic unilateral otitis externa and otitis media
Authors: Koch Sandra N. , Torres Sheila M. F. , Kramek Betty
Published: January 2020

Background

Patulous Eustachian tube (pET) is a rare dysfunction of the Eustachian tube described in humans. It is characterized by failure of the ET to close, resulting in unrestricted passage of air, sound and material between the nasopharynx and the middle ear.

Objective

To report a case of pET associated with otitis in a dog.

Animal

A 6‐year old‐female spayed Dachshund dog.

Methods and materials

Otoscopic examination, cytological evaluation, culture and susceptibility, computerized tomography (CT), video‐otoscopic flushing and surgery.

Results

Left ear otoscopic examination revealed erythema, purulent frothy discharge, ceruminous gland hyperplasia, stenosis and a partial tear of the tympanum. Cytological evaluation from the left external canal showed neutrophils, macrophages, rods and cocci. Aerobic culture showed predominantly multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The CT findings of the left ear included chronic changes in the external canal, marked lysis of the tympanic bulla and marked dilation of the ET. During video‐otoscope flushing, saline drained through the mouth. Bilateral incomplete hypoplasia of the soft palate was noted. Total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy with ET dissection were curative. Histopathological findings were compatible with chronic otitis externa (OE) and media.

Conclusion and clinical importance

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of pET described in animals. The ET dysfunction and palatine defect were likely the cause of the otitis in this dog. Clinicians should investigate pET in animals with signs of OE characterized by frothy liquid and food fragments in the ear canal in addition to sneezing after drinking water.
Effect of auriculopalpebral nerve block on equine intraocular pressure measured by rebound tonometry (TonoVet®)
Authors: Diehl Kathryn , Bowden Anna Catherine
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess rebound tonometry intraocular pressure (IOP) in unsedated horses without and with auriculopalpebral (AP) nerve blocks.

Animals Studied

Twenty‐two client‐ and twenty university‐owned horses (84 total eyes) with unremarkable ophthalmic examinations were evaluated.

Procedure

One eye of each horse was chosen randomly, an AP block performed for that eye, and IOP measured in both eyes with a TonoVet®. The process was repeated for the contralateral eye 72 hours later under the same conditions as the initial measurements. Horses were unsedated for nerve blocks and tonometry. Linear mixed‐effects models were used for comparisons with statistical significance threshold of 0.05.

Results

Overall, blocked eyes had an 0.8 mm Hg lower average IOP than unblocked eyes (P = .039). IOP for client‐owned horses was on average 3.2 mm Hg lower than in UGA‐owned horses (P = .025) and was more impacted by AP block (1.4 mm Hg lower average in client‐owned blocked versus unblocked eyes (P = .006)). Block effectiveness was ranked on a subjective scale (“good”, “poor”, no block/control), and IOP was on average lower in eyes with a good block (P = .008).

Conclusion

Although there were statistically significant differences in IOP between blocked and unblocked eyes, between client‐ and UGA‐owned horses, and between eyes with good and poor AP blocks, these differences were not clinically significant. Thus, AP blocks remain a useful tool for evaluating equine ophthalmic health with minimal impact on IOP assessment.
Automata for DNA Splicing Languages with Palindromic and Non-Palindromic Restriction Enzymes using Grammars
Authors: Fong Wan Heng , Ismail Nurul Izzaty , Sarmin Nor Haniza
Published: January 2020

In DNA splicing system, DNA molecules are cut and recombined with the presence of restriction enzymes and a ligase. The splicing system is analyzed via formal language theory where the molecules resulting from the splicing system generate a language which is called a splicing language. In nature, DNA molecules can be read in two ways; forward and backward. A sequence of string that reads the same forward and backward is known as a palindrome. Palindromic and non-palindromic sequences can also be recognized in restriction enzymes. Research on splicing languages from DNA splicing systems with palindromic and non-palindromic restriction enzymes have been done previously. This research is motivated by the problem of DNA assembly to read millions of long DNA sequences where the concepts of automata and grammars are applied in DNA splicing systems to simplify the assembly in short-read sequences. The splicing languages generated from DNA splicing systems with palindromic and nonpalindromic restriction enzymes are deduced from the grammars which are visualised as automata diagrams, and presented by transition graphs where transition labels represent the language of DNA molecules resulting from the respective DNA splicing systems.
Comparison of Lee Carter Model and Cairns, Blake and Dowd Model in Forecasting Malaysian Higher Age Mortality
Authors: Zulkifle Haneef , Yusof Fadhilah , Mohd Nor Siti Rohani
Published: January 2020

Demographers and actuaries are very much conscious of the trend of mortality in their own country or in the world in general. This is because mortality is the basis for longevity risk evaluation. Mortality is showing a declining trend and it is expected to further decline in the future. This will lead to continuous increase in life expectancy. Several stochastic models have been developed throughout the years to capture mortality and its variability. This includes Lee Carter (LC) model which has been extended by various researchers. This paper will be focusing on comparing LC model and another mortality model proposed by Cairns, Blake and Dowd (CBD). The LC uses the log of central rate of mortality and CBD uses logit of the mortality odds as dependent variable. Analysis of comparison is done using a few techniques including Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). From the overall results, there is no model better than the other in every aspect tested. We illustrate this via visual inspection and in sample and outof sample analysis usingMalaysianmortality data from 1980 to 2017.
Optimal Control and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of HIV Model with Educational Campaigns and Therapy
Authors: Marsudi . , Hidayat Noor , Edy Wibowo Ratno Bagus
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present a deterministic model for the transmission dynamics of HIV, in which educational campaigns and therapy are both important for disease management. We propose and analyze an optimal control problem to investigate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of three control measures (educational campaigns, therapy on infected individuals in the asymptomatic stage, and therapy on infected individuals in the pre-AIDS class). We formulate the appropriate optimal control problem and investigate the necessary conditions for disease control in order to determine the role of asymptomatic infection, pre-AIDS, and full-blown AIDS in the spread of HIV. Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle was employed to derive the necessary conditions for the existence of optimal control. The fourth-order Runge-Kutta forward-backwards sweep numerical approximation method was used to solve the optimal control system. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was calculated to investigate the cost-effectiveness of all possible combinations of the three control measures. Using cost-effectiveness analysis, we showed that control of therapy on pre-AIDS and a combination of control of educational campaigns and therapy on pre-AIDS provides the most cost-effective strategy to control the disease.
Student Emotions Due to Parental Divorce/ Emosi Pelajar Akibat Perceraian Ibubapa
Authors: Mohammad Siti Nor Syafiqah , Masroom Mohd Nasir
Published: January 2020

Divorce not only affects the husband and wife, but can also interfere with the psychological development of the child and to some extent disrupting their academic performance. Despite this, not all children whose parents are divorced face academic difficulties. This study aims to explore the emotional states of high-achieving students whose parents are divorced, and how they dealt with these emotions. This qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews conducted to five randomly selected respondents who were high-achieving students whose parents were divorced. Data were analysed using the narrative analysis approach. The results showed that majority of the respondents experience negative emotions such as sadness, anger, depressed and sense of loss. Nonetheless, they also experience positive emotions namely surrender, acceptance and gratitude. They are able to manage their emotions because of their strengths and the accessibility of support from parents and others. In conclusion, high-achieving students with divorced parents are capable of managing their emotions and achieve academic excellence with the support of parents and other people around them.
Lesbian nightlife in Amsterdam: an explorative study of the shift from ‘queer-only’ to ‘queer-friendly’ spaces
Authors: Ekenhorst Marieke , Van Aalst Irina
Published: January 2020

This paper explains the decline of lesbian space in Amsterdam through a better understanding of young lesbians' lived experiences of in/exclusion in urban nightlife. The study is situated in Amsterdam, a city internationally known as a queer capital. In-depth interviews were conducted with young lesbian clubbers, owners of local lesbian bars, and organizers of lesbian-oriented parties. The results show that straight and queer spaces should be understood as fluid since the clientele has become a queer and non-queer blend after a shift towards an ‘inclusive’ and open-minded vibe. That shift goes hand in hand with the commodification of queer venues, which puts pressure on the few women-only spaces left. As the interviews revealed, a commodified open-minded, ‘inclusive’ venue or party is not necessarily a safe space for lesbian clubbers. The interviews also foregrounded the diversity among lesbian clubbers, which partially explains the widening range of venues and party concepts with a concomitant decline in visibility. This paper suggests some ways to create safe lesbian nightlife space, in light of the experiences of interviewed clubbers and information gathered from entrepreneurs within the scene.
The long shadows cast by the field: violence, trauma, and the ethnographic researcher
Authors: Taylor Stephen
Published: January 2020

As more geographers utilise ethnographic methods to explore pressing contemporary issues such as abandonment, precarity, and resilience, they enter into research environments often defined by social marginality and violence. There are emotional and psychological risks associated with embedded research in such contexts, however these challenges have largely been ignored in existing methodological literatures. A frank debate is needed about the emotional and psychological burden that ethnographic research can exact upon lone researchers and how these burdens interface with researcher identity and positionality. Drawing on a reflexive analysis of the author’s experience of fieldwork in South Africa, this paper highlights the emotional consequences of conducting ethnographic research with marginal groups in dangerous contexts. It specifically examines the ripple effect of exposure to traumatic events that culminated in the author’s diagnosis with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In so doing, the paper draws attention to the acute emotional and psychological consequences of ethnographic research, while also challenging prevalent professional attitudes within the neoliberal university that promote the downplaying or silencing of such repercussions. The paper concludes with a series of suggestions for how (early career) researchers, our discipline, and institutions might better promote and realise an ethic of collective care for field researchers.
Does Dehydration Affect the Adaptations of Plasma Volume, Heart Rate, Internal Body Temperature, and Sweat Rate During the Induction Phase of Heat Acclimation?
Authors: Sekiguchi Yasuki , Filep Erica M. , Benjamin Courteney L. , Casa Douglas J. , DiStefano Lindsay J.
Published: January 2020

Clinical Scenario: Exercise in the heat can lead to performance decrements and increase the risk of heat illness. Heat acclimation refers to the systematic and gradual increase in exercise in a controlled, laboratory environment. Increased duration and intensity of exercise in the heat positively affects physiological responses, such as higher sweat rate, plasma volume expansion, decreased heart rate, and lower internal body temperature. Many heat acclimation studies have examined the hydration status of the subjects exercising in the heat. Some of the physiological responses that are desired to elicit heat acclimation (ie, higher heart rate and internal body temperature) are exacerbated in a dehydrated state. Thus, euhydration (optimal hydration) and dehydration trials during heat acclimation induction have been conducted to determine if there are additional benefits to dehydrated exercise trials on physiological adaptations. However, there is still much debate over hydration status and its effect on heat acclimation. Clinical Question: Does dehydration affect the adaptations of plasma volume, heart rate, internal body temperature, skin temperature, and sweat rate during the induction phase of heat acclimation? Summary of Findings: There were no observed differences in plasma volume, internal body temperature, and skin temperature following heat acclimation in this critically appraised topic. One study found an increase in sweat rate and another study indicated greater changes in heart rate following heat acclimation with dehydration. Aside from these findings, all 4 trials did not observe statistically significant differences in euhydrated and dehydrated heat acclimation trials. Clinical Bottom Line: There is minimal evidence to suggest that hydration status affects heat acclimation induction. In the studies that met the inclusion criteria, there were no differences in plasma volume concentrations, internal body temperature, and skin temperature. Strength of Recommendation: Based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Scale, Level 2 evidence exists.
Aquatic indicator bacteria in the high alpine zone
Authors: Stuart S A , McFeters G A , Schillinger J E , Stuart D G
Published: January 2020

Selected waters from the high alpine zone within Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, were analyzed for populations of indicator bacteria during the past three summers to determine the influence of various factors on the quality of these waters. In general the water quality was not significantly influenced by the presence or absence of human visitors but rather by the nature of the biological community through which the streams flowed. A minority of the coliforms that were recovered from all of the sites proved to be fecal coliforms. The fecal streptococci isolated were identified as the species that were found primarily in the fecal material of the native rodent and moose populations. It is concluded that management questions that relate to the carrying capacity of alpine areas should be approached with the aid of other biological parameters along with levels of indicator bacteria in the streams.
Heterogeneity of Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B as a function of growth stage: implications for surveillance of foods
Authors: Chesbro W , Carpenter D , Silverman G J
Published: January 2020

Staphylococcus aureus was grown in a fermentor under controlled conditions of pH, oxygenation, and temperature, while the higher-molecular-weight products of its growth were continuously removed across ultrafiltration membranes. These products were examined by single and double gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis against a variety of available anti-enterotoxin B antisera. All antisera examined were polyvalent for S. aureus antigens. However, two electrophoretically distinct proteins were the major reactants with the antisera. One of these was present in early- to mid-log-phase cultures. After mid-log growth was achieved, both were present but in continuously changing proportions. This observation was repeated with a variety of growth conditions and media. A significant part of the physicochemical heterogeneity of enterotoxin B observed over the past 20 years is thus correlated with the growth phase of the organism. Taken together, these facts are used to argue for a two-step rationale for the detection of food-borne staphylococcal disease: (i) screening for a presumptive hazard by analysis for any antigen, toxin, or enzyme of S. aureus in a foodstuff and (ii) confirmation of the hazard by identifying the presence of an enterotoxin using a combination of physicochemical and serological techniques.