bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infant attraction: why social bridging matters for female leadership in Tibetan macaques
Authors: Wang Xi , Xia Dong-Po , Sun Lixing , Garber Paul A , Kyes Randall C , Sheeran Lori K , Sun Bing-Hua , Li Bo-Wen , Li Jin-Hua
Published: June 2020

Leadership is a key issue in the study of collective behavior in social animals. Affiliation–leadership models predict that dyadic partner preferences based on grooming relationships or alliance formation positively affect an individual’s decision to follow or support a conspecific. In the case of many primate species, females without young infants are attracted to mother–infant dyads. However, the effects of mother–infant–female associations on affiliation–leadership models remain less clear. In free-ranging Tibetan macaques Macaca thibetana, we used social network analysis to examine the importance of “mother-infant-adult female” social bridging events as a predictor of who leads and who follows during group movement. Social bridging is a common behavior in Tibetan macaques and occurs when 2 adults, generally females, engage in coordinated infant handling. Using eigenvector centrality coefficients of social bridging as a measure of social affiliation, we found that among lactating females, initiating bridging behavior with another female played a significant role in leadership success, with the assisting female following the mother during group movement. Among nonlactating females, this was not the case. Our results indicate that infant attraction can be a strong trigger in collective action and directing group movement in Tibetan macaques and provides benefits to mothers who require helpers and social support in order to ensure the safety of their infants. Our study provides new insights into the importance of the third-party effect in rethinking affiliation–leadership models in group-living animals.
Anglo-French Sieges, the Laws of War, and the Limits of Enmity in the Peninsular War, 1808–1814
Authors: Daly Gavin
Published: June 2020

The many sieges of the Napoleonic Wars remain a relatively neglected area of historical study, especially in the context of the history of customary laws of war, where sieges played a central role. This article explores an important but largely forgotten episode in the infamous British storm and sack of the French-held Spanish towns of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz and San Sebastián during the Peninsular War: mercy to the French garrisons, who, in obstinately defending against storming parties, had forfeited their protective rights under prevailing laws of war. Combining military, legal and cultural history, and drawing upon British soldiers’ letters, diaries and memoirs, the article focuses on three interrelated issues: siege capitulation and surrender rituals, attitudes to obstinate defences, and British mercy to the French garrisons. The article highlights sieges as a privileged site for examining laws of war, cultures of war, and moral sensibilities. In doing so, it sheds further light on historical debates about changes and continuities in practices and cultures of war over the long eighteenth century. There has been considerable recent interest in the history of atrocity, massacre and enmity during the French Revolutionary–Napoleonic Wars. Yet the Anglo-French case-studies examined here highlight the persistence of restraint, honour codes, civility and humanity between regular soldiers, even in the seemingly most barbarous of wartime theatres, and despite laws of war that sanctioned violence in these very circumstances.
¡Viva la mitochondria!: harnessing yeast mitochondria for chemical production
Authors: Duran Lisset , López José Montaño , Avalos José L
Published: June 2020

The mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, offer a unique physicochemical environment enriched with a distinct set of enzymes, metabolites and cofactors ready to be exploited for metabolic engineering. In this review, we discuss how the mitochondrion has been engineered in the traditional sense of metabolic engineering or completely bypassed for chemical production. We then describe the more recent approach of harnessing the mitochondria to compartmentalize engineered metabolic pathways, including for the production of alcohols, terpenoids, sterols, organic acids and other valuable products. We explain the different mechanisms by which mitochondrial compartmentalization benefits engineered metabolic pathways to boost chemical production. Finally, we discuss the key challenges that need to be overcome to expand the applicability of mitochondrial engineering and reach the full potential of this emerging field.
Multiple Genomic Events Altering Hominin SIGLEC Biology and Innate Immunity Predated the Common Ancestor of Humans and Archaic Hominins
Authors: Khan Naazneen , de Manuel Marc , Peyregne Stephane , Do Raymond , Prufer Kay , Marques-Bonet Tomas , Varki Nissi , Gagneux Pascal , Varki Ajit
Published: June 2020

Human-specific pseudogenization of the CMAH gene eliminated the mammalian sialic acid (Sia) Neu5Gc (generating an excess of its precursor Neu5Ac), thus changing ubiquitous cell surface “self-associated molecular patterns” that modulate innate immunity via engagement of CD33-related-Siglec receptors. The Alu-fusion-mediated loss-of-function of CMAH fixed ∼2–3 Ma, possibly contributing to the origins of the genus Homo. The mutation likely altered human self-associated molecular patterns, triggering multiple events, including emergence of human-adapted pathogens with strong preference for Neu5Ac recognition and/or presenting Neu5Ac-containing molecular mimics of human glycans, which can suppress immune responses via CD33-related-Siglec engagement. Human-specific alterations reported in some gene-encoding Sia-sensing proteins suggested a “hotspot” in hominin evolution. The availability of more hominid genomes including those of two extinct hominins now allows full reanalysis and evolutionary timing. Functional changes occur in 8/13 members of the human genomic cluster encoding CD33-related Siglecs, all predating the human common ancestor. Comparisons with great ape genomes indicate that these changes are unique to hominins. We found no evidence for strong selection after the Human–Neanderthal/Denisovan common ancestor, and these extinct hominin genomes include almost all major changes found in humans, indicating that these changes in hominin sialobiology predate the Neanderthal–human divergence ∼0.6 Ma. Multiple changes in this genomic cluster may also explain human-specific expression of CD33rSiglecs in unexpected locations such as amnion, placental trophoblast, pancreatic islets, ovarian fibroblasts, microglia, Natural Killer(NK) cells, and epithelia. Taken together, our data suggest that innate immune interactions with pathogens markedly altered hominin Siglec biology between 0.6 and 2 Ma, potentially affecting human evolution.
The Trump Administration’s Impact on US Investment Policy
Authors: Mandell Lauren
Published: June 2020

This article reviews the Trump Administration’s impact on US investment policy – meaning, US policy regarding the promotion and protection of US investment abroad – at the close of the Administration. In short, the Administration’s impact on US investment policy was substantial by any measure. It withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which was effectively the largest investment agreement ever negotiated, and it also renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement and replaced it with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which features a novel approach to investor-state dispute settlement. The Administration’s impact on US investment policy was also shaped by steps it chose not to take, including its decision not to replicate its approach in the USMCA in its amendments to the Korea-United States Free Trade Agreement, re-start the United States-China Bilateral Investment Treaty or Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations or re-visit dozens of US investment agreements that are currently in force. This article reviews these decisions with a view to considering the challenges and opportunities that await future US policymakers in the executive and legislative branches with respect to US investment policy.
A new algorithm for calibrating local regime-switching models
Authors: He Xin-Jiang , Zhu Song-Ping
Published: June 2020

In quantitative finance practice, model calibration is a key challenge. This is especially so when a local regime-switching model needs to be calibrated because designing an efficient and reliable algorithm to obtain local volatility values as a function of underlying price and time is important for the model to be successfully used in practice. Therefore, this paper proposes a new algorithm for calibrating local regime-switching models with observed option prices available for a particular market that is suitable for this type of model. The newly proposed algorithm is tested with calibrations performed on synthetic as well as real market data. Our empirical test results indicate that the algorithm has great potential to be used in financial risk management.
Preliminary view of the global distribution and spread of the tet(X) family of tigecycline resistance genes
Authors: Pan Yu , Awan Furqan , Zhenbao Ma , Zhang Xiufeng , Zeng Jiaxiong , Zeng Zhenling , Xiong Wenguang
Published: June 2020

Background

The emergence of plasmid-mediated tet(X3)/tet(X4) genes is threatening the role of tigecycline as a last-resort antibiotic to treat clinical infections caused by XDR bacteria. Considering the possible public health threat posed by tet(X) and its variants [which we collectively call ‘tet(X) genes’ in this study], global monitoring and surveillance are urgently required.

Objectives

Here we conducted a worldwide survey of the global distribution and spread of tet(X) genes.

Methods

We analysed a comprehensive dataset of bacterial genomes in conjunction with surveillance data from our laboratory and the NCBI database, as well as sufficient metadata to characterize the results.

Results

The global distribution features of tet(X) genes were revealed. We clustered three types of genetic backbones of tet(X) genes embedded or transferred in bacterial genomes. Our pan-genome analyses revealed a large genetic pool composed of tet(X)-carrying sequences. Moreover, phylogenetic trees of tet(X) genes and tet(X)-like proteins were built.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, our results provide the first view of the global distribution of tet(X) genes, demonstrate the features of tet(X)-carrying fragments and highlight the possible evolution of tigecycline-inactivation enzymes in diverse bacterial species and habitats.
Structural and mechanistic analysis of ATPase inhibitors targeting mycobacterial DNA gyrase
Authors: Henderson Sara R , Stevenson Clare E M , Malone Brandon , Zholnerovych Yelyzaveta , Mitchenall Lesley A , Pichowicz Mark , McGarry David H , Cooper Ian R , Charrier Cedric , Salisbury Anne-Marie , Lawson David M , Maxwell Anthony
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of two novel compounds against mycobacteria and determine the molecular basis of their action on DNA gyrase using structural and mechanistic approaches.

Methods

Redx03863 and Redx04739 were tested in antibacterial assays, and also against their target, DNA gyrase, using DNA supercoiling and ATPase assays. X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structure of the gyrase B protein ATPase sub-domain from Mycobacterium smegmatis complexed with the aminocoumarin drug novobiocin, and structures of the same domain from Mycobacterium thermoresistibile complexed with novobiocin, and also with Redx03863.

Results

Both compounds, Redx03863 and Redx04739, were active against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative species, with Redx03863 being the more potent, and Redx04739 showing selectivity against M. smegmatis. Both compounds were potent inhibitors of the supercoiling and ATPase reactions of DNA gyrase, but did not appreciably affect the ATP-independent relaxation reaction. The structure of Redx03863 bound to the gyrase B protein ATPase sub-domain from M. thermoresistibile shows that it binds at a site adjacent to the ATP- and novobiocin-binding sites. We found that most of the mutations that we made in the Redx03863-binding pocket, based on the structure, rendered gyrase inactive.

Conclusions

Redx03863 and Redx04739 inhibit gyrase by preventing the binding of ATP. The fact that the Redx03863-binding pocket is distinct from that of novobiocin, coupled with the lack of activity of resistant mutants, suggests that such compounds could have potential to be further exploited as antibiotics.
Personal health information management among healthy older adults: Varying needs and approaches
Authors: Turner Anne M , Taylor Jean O , Hartzler Andrea L , Osterhage Katie P , Bosold Alyssa L , Painter Ian S , Demiris George
Published: June 2020

Objective

With age, older adults experience a greater number of chronic diseases and medical visits, and an increased need to manage their health information. Technological advances in consumer health information technologies (HITs) help patients gather, track, and organize their health information within and outside of clinical settings. However, HITs have not focused on the needs of older adults and their caregivers. The goal of the SOARING (Studying Older Adults and Researching their Information Needs and Goals) Project was to understand older adult personal health information management (PHIM) needs and practices to inform the design of HITs that support older adults.

Materials and Methods

Drawing on the Work System Model, we took an ecological approach to investigate PHIM needs and practices of older adults in different residential settings. We conducted in-depth interviews and surveys with adults 60 years of age and older.

Results

We performed on-site in-person interview sessions with 88 generally healthy older adults in various settings including independent housing, retirement communities, assisted living, and homelessness. Our analysis revealed 5 key PHIM activities that older adults engage in: seeking, tracking, organizing, sharing health information, and emergency planning. We identified 3 major themes influencing older adults’ practice of PHIM: (1) older adults are most concerned with maintaining health and preventing illness, (2) older adults frequently involve others in PHIM activities, and (3) older adults’ approach to PHIM is situational and context-dependent.

Discussion

Older adults’ approaches to PHIM are dynamic and sensitive to changes in health, social networks, personal habits, motivations, and goals.

Conclusions

PHIM tools that meet the needs of older adults should accommodate the dynamic nature of aging and variations in individual, organizational, and social contexts.
Hiding from the Truth: When and How Cover Enables Information Avoidance
Authors: Woolley Kaitlin , Risen Jane L
Published: June 2020

More information is available today than ever before, yet at times consumers choose to avoid it. Even with useful information (I should find out), people may prefer ignorance (But I don’t want to). Seven studies (N = 4,271) and five supplemental studies (N = 3,013) apply the concept of “cover” to information avoidance for consumer choices with real financial consequences. More consumers avoid information with cover—that is, when they can attribute their decision to another feature of a product or decision context rather than to information they want to avoid. Cover increases avoidance when consumers face intrapersonal conflict—when consumers want to avoid information that they believe they should receive (e.g., calorie information). As such, the effect of cover is reduced by decreasing want–should conflict, whether by reducing the should preference to receive information or the want preference to avoid it. Furthermore, cover increases avoidance by helping consumers justify a decision to themselves: avoidance increases only when people can attribute their decision to a relevant (vs. irrelevant) product feature and operates in public and private settings. Together, this research offers theoretical insights into consumers’ information avoidance and how cover itself operates, with practical implications for marketers.
The Impact of Environmental Factors on the Efficacy of Chemical Communication in the Burying Beetle (Coleoptera: Silphidae)
Authors: Chemnitz Johanna , von Hoermann Christian , Ayasse Manfred , Steiger Sandra
Published: June 2020

There is growing evidence that a wide range of insect sex pheromones are condition dependent and play a fundamental role in mate choice. However, the effectiveness of pheromonal communication might not only depend on internal factors of the sender, but also on attributes of the microhabitat, in which the signaler chooses to emit its chemical signal. For example, the degree of anthropogenic land use might affect how successful the signal is transmitted, as land use has been shown to affect animal communities and the complexity of biotic interactions. To test the hypothesis that parameters of the microenvironment determine males’ ability to attract females via their sex pheromone, we used the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides Herbst (Coleoptera: Silphidae) as our model system. We exposed 144 males across differently managed forest stands and analyzed the impact of 29 environmental parameters. Our data revealed that human land use intensity had no effect on a male’s attractiveness. However, the harvested tree biomass positively affected the proportion of competitors attracted. Furthermore, we found that soil characteristics were important factors determining the amount and body size of females a male was able to attract. Consequently, we present evidence that the environmental context of a signaling male influences the effectiveness of chemical signaling either because it affects the transmission process or the prevailing abundance of potential signal receivers. Thus, our results demonstrate that males need to make careful decisions about the location where they emit their pheromone, as this choice of microhabitat has an impact on their fitness.
Surveillance of Culicine Mosquitoes in Six Villages of Taita-Taveta County, Kenya, With Host Determinations From Blood-Fed Females
Authors: Munyao Vanessa , Karisa Jonathan , Munyao Carol Munini , Ngari Moses , Menza Nelson , Peshu Norbert , Rono Martin , Mbogo Charles , Mwangangi Joseph
Published: June 2020

Culicine mosquitoes are vectors of human disease-causing pathogens like filarial worms and several arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Currently, there has been an increase in emerging and re-emerging vector-borne diseases along coastal Kenya, which has been of major concern in public health. This study aimed at determining culicine mosquito species abundance, diversity and their host feeding preferences in Taita-Taveta County, Coastal Kenya. Entomological sampling was done during the long-wet season (March and May) and long dry season (June to October) 2016–2018. Mosquito sampling was done using CDC light traps and Backpack aspiration for indoor and outdoor environments. All culicine mosquitoes collected were identified morphologically and categorized according to their physiological status. Blood fed culicine mosquitoes were tested for bloodmeal sources using ELISA. In total, 3,278 culicine mosquitoes were collected, of which 738 (22.5 %) were found indoors and 2,540, (77.5 %) outdoors. The mosquitoes consisted of 18 species belonging to four genera: Aedes (7), Culex (8), Mansonia (2), and Coquillettidia (1). Overall, there was high mosquito species diversity (H) in outdoors (H = 2.4339) than in indoors (H = 2.2523), whereas even distribution (EH) was higher in indoors (EH = 0.9064) than outdoors (EH = 0.8266). Majorly the bloodmeals identified were from multiple host sources with (51.6%), single hosts (41.3%), and unidentified (7.2%). This study has demonstrated a high diversity of culicine mosquitoes with relaxed feeding tendencies. These mosquitoes are contributing to mosquito biting nuisance and the likelihood of exposure of populations to diseases of public health.
Comparing Methods for Assessing Reliability
Authors: Tourangeau Roger , Sun Hanyu , Yan Ting
Published: June 2020

The usual method for assessing the reliability of survey data has been to conduct reinterviews a short interval (such as one to two weeks) after an initial interview and to use these data to estimate relatively simple statistics, such as gross difference rates (GDRs). More sophisticated approaches have also been used to estimate reliability. These include estimates from multi-trait, multi-method experiments, models applied to longitudinal data, and latent class analyses. To our knowledge, no prior study has systematically compared these different methods for assessing reliability. The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Reliability and Validity (PATH-RV) Study, done on a national probability sample, assessed the reliability of answers to the Wave 4 questionnaire from the PATH Study. Respondents in the PATH-RV were interviewed twice about two weeks apart. We examined whether the classic survey approach yielded different conclusions from the more sophisticated methods. We also examined two ex ante methods for assessing problems with survey questions and item nonresponse rates and response times to see how strongly these related to the different reliability estimates. We found that kappa was highly correlated with both GDRs and over-time correlations, but the latter two statistics were less highly correlated, particularly for adult respondents; estimates from longitudinal analyses of the same items in the main PATH study were also highly correlated with the traditional reliability estimates. The latent class analysis results, based on fewer items, also showed a high level of agreement with the traditional measures. The other methods and indicators had at best weak relationships with the reliability estimates derived from the reinterview data. Although the Question Understanding Aid seems to tap a different factor from the other measures, for adult respondents, it did predict item nonresponse and response latencies and thus may be a useful adjunct to the traditional measures.
Trade in clean energy technologies: sliding from protection to protectionism through obligations for technology transfer in climate change law, or Vice Versa?†
Authors: Koskina Anthi , Farah Paolo Davide , Ibrahim Imad Antoine
Published: June 2020

Global regulations involving clean energy technologies have evolved in recent decades. Such evolution came as a result of technological disparities between the North and the South. Such regulatory changes came because of the failure of developed nations to assist developing countries in obtaining said technologies. Since the beginning, international climate change law has attempted to alleviate the discrepancies in technology transfer regulations so as to introduce some form of unity, especially through various legislations, such as a global regulatory framework. In response, this article seeks to answer the following question: did international climate change law provide the necessary regulations to ensure technological accessibility to developing nations? This article will examine the accessibility of clean energy technology in relation to international climate law, especially highlighting the phases characterized by either technological protection or international collaboration. These changes reflect a continuous cycle where both circumstances and events affect international climate change law and the relations with technology state of affairs.
Are judges influenced by legally irrelevant circumstances?
Authors: Bergius My , Ernberg Emelie , Dahlman Christian , Sarwar Farhan
Published: June 2020

Judges should not be influenced by legally irrelevant circumstances in their legal decision making and judges generally believe that they manage legally irrelevant circumstances well. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate whether this self-image is correct. Swedish judges (N = 256) read a vignette depicting a case of libel, where a female student had claimed on her blog that she had been sexually harassed by a named male professor. The professor had sued the student for libel and the student retracted her claim during the hearing. Half of the judges received irrelevant information - that the professor himself had been convicted of libel a year earlier, while the other half did not receive this information. For the outcome variable, the judges were asked to state how much compensation the student should pay the professor. Those judges who received information about the professor himself having been convicted of libel stated that he should be given significantly less compensation than those who did not receive the irrelevant information. The results show that the judges’ decision was affected by legally irrelevant circumstances. Implications for research and practice are discussed
Analytical solutions of radiative transfer equations in accretion discs with finite optical depth
Authors: Samadi M , Habibi F , Abbassi S
Published: June 2020

The main purpose of this paper is to obtain analytical solutions for radiative transfer equations related to the vertical structure of accretion discs with finite optical depth. In the non-grey atmosphere, we employ the optical-depth dependent Eddington factor to define the relationship between the mean intensity and radiation stress tensor. Analytical solutions are achieved for two cases: (i) radiative equilibrium, and (ii) a disc with uniform internal heating and both cases are assumed to be in local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE), too. These solutions enable us to study probable role of scattering and disc optical depth on the emergent intensity and other radiative quantities. Our results show that for the first case, the surface value of mean intensity with constant Eddington factor is three times larger than that with variable factor. Moreover, scattering has no role in the vertical radiative structure of discs with the assumptions of the first case. On the other hand, for the second case, we encounter reductions in all radiative quantities as the photon destruction probability decreases (which is equivalent to increasing scattering). Furthermore, for both cases with total optical depth less than unity, the outward intensity towards the polar direction becomes less than that from the edges of disc which is contrary to limb-darkening. At the end, we apply our results to find the spectrum from accretion systems, based on two dynamical models. Consequently, we can see that how the total optical depth varies with frequency and causes remarkable changes on the emergent spectra.
Scalable Empirical Mixture Models That Account for Across-Site Compositional Heterogeneity
Authors: Schrempf Dominik , Lartillot Nicolas , Szöllősi Gergely
Published: June 2020

Biochemical demands constrain the range of amino acids acceptable at specific sites resulting in across-site compositional heterogeneity of the amino acid replacement process. Phylogenetic models that disregard this heterogeneity are prone to systematic errors, which can lead to severe long-branch attraction artifacts. State-of-the-art models accounting for across-site compositional heterogeneity include the CAT model, which is computationally expensive, and empirical distribution mixture models estimated via maximum likelihood (C10–C60 models). Here, we present a new, scalable method EDCluster for finding empirical distribution mixture models involving a simple cluster analysis. The cluster analysis utilizes specific coordinate transformations which allow the detection of specialized amino acid distributions either from curated databases or from the alignment at hand. We apply EDCluster to the HOGENOM and HSSP databases in order to provide universal distribution mixture (UDM) models comprising up to 4,096 components. Detailed analyses of the UDM models demonstrate the removal of various long-branch attraction artifacts and improved performance compared with the C10–C60 models. Ready-to-use implementations of the UDM models are provided for three established software packages (IQ-TREE, Phylobayes, and RevBayes).
Non-parametric estimation and evaluation of capability sets
Authors: Verbunt Pim , Rogge Nicky , Van Puyenbroeck Tom
Published: June 2020

A major difficulty for the application of Amartya Sen’s capability approach is that individual capability sets cannot readily be observed. This article proposes a non-parametric framework to construct such sets, on the basis of observed functionings of individuals that are taken to belong to a group sharing the same capability set. Within this framework, the earlier theoretical proposals of Muellbauer to compare different capability sets can be easily implemented. Associated robust empirical estimators are provided and applied to EU-SILC data on household income, material living conditions, housing quality and health; we illustrate our approach with a multilateral comparison of 32 European countries, with a comparison of both a ‘fixed ray’ and a ‘multiple rays’ evaluation metric to compare French and German capability sets, and with a multilateral comparison of socioeconomic sub-groups in France.
Early treatment of bilateral fungal keratitis with corneal cross-linking as adjuvant therapy
Authors: González Castellanos Juan Cruz , Osaba Matías , Reviglio Virginia , Canchi Marcela Tatiana , Arrigone Maitén Cuyén , Reviglio Víctor Eduardo
Published: June 2020

Fungal keratitis is an ocular infection that has no standardized treatment. The etiological agents most frequently reported in the literature are Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp. and Curvularia spp., related to injuries and Candida albicans related to contact lens wear. Here we present a case of bilateral fungal keratitis of a few days of evolution with insufficient response to antifungal pharmacological treatment and with early application of cross-linking in both eyes as an adjuvant therapy. A review of the current status of cross-linking for the treatment of corneal infections is presented.
Endometrial polyp filled with gestational tissues remained undiscovered in an infertile woman for years: a case report
Authors: Dhemesh Najah , Hamsho Maysam , Jarbouh Habib
Published: June 2020

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common disease, which presents as two, three or more failed pregnancies. It is attributed to many risk factors, yet half of the cases are idiopathic. In this report, we present a case of a 44-year-old woman with a complaint of secondary infertility for 10 years and a history of three spontaneous abortions. Blood tests and images showed no abnormalities, except for hysteroscopy which showed a polyp-like mass. Pathology revealed an endometrial stroma showing severe decidualization with a lot of gestational villi showing fibrosis and hyaline degeneration, features of old gestational product death, with no glands crowding or cellular atypia. In this case, the conception products were not preceded with a miscarriage and did not cause any symptoms indicating its existing. The asymptomatic endometrial polyp filled with fibrotic gestational villi without a prior miscarriage is an unprecedented case in the medical literature.
Prognosis of adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-associated interstitial lung disease: a retrospective study of 679 adult cases
Authors: Li Shan , Sun Yuxin , Shao Chi , Huang Hui , Wang Qian , Xu Kai , Zhang Xin , Liu Peng , Zeng Xiaofeng , Xu Zuojun
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Few studies have investigated the prognostic factors for idiopathic inflammatory myopathy-associated interstitial lung disease (IIM-ILD) across different clinical/serological phenotypes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with IIM between January 2012 and December 2017.

Results

Of the 760 IIM cases registered, 679 adult cases were included in this study. ILD was present in 508 cases, and the presence of ILD in the clinically amyopathic DM, DM and PM groups was 92.7, 73.6 and 55.1%, respectively (P < 0.01). The prevalence of ILD in the anti-synthetase antibody (ASA)+-IIM group was higher than that in ASA–-IIM group (95.2 vs 72.4%, P < 0.01); no such difference was found between the anti-histidyl-tRNA synthetase (Jo-1)+-IIM and Jo-1–ASA+-IIM groups (93.0 vs 98.5%, P > 0.05). The prevalence of ILD in the melanoma differentiation-associated protein-5 (MDA-5)+-IIM group was higher than that in MDA-5–-IIM group (97.8 vs 72.1%, P < 0.01). Among adults with IIM, men with concurrent ILD, who were older than 50 years, were most likely to die. No significant difference was found in the all-cause mortality rates between DM-ILD and clinically amyopathic DM-ILD groups (33.3 vs 23%, P > 0.05), although both were higher than that in PM group (13.2%, P = 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). No difference was found in the all-cause mortality rates between MDA5–ASA–-IM-ILD and MDA5–ASA+-IM-ILD groups (17.2 vs 12.8%, P > 0.05), and both were lower than that in MDA5+ASA–-IM-ILD group (33.7%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of ILD in IIM and the prognosis of IIM-ILD patients may vary depending on the statuses of the ASA and MDA-5 antibodies.
Diffusion vs. direct transport in the precision of morphogen readout
Authors: Fancher Sean , Mugler Andrew
Published: June 2020

Morphogen profiles allow cells to determine their position within a developing organism, but not all morphogen profiles form by the same mechanism. Here we derive fundamental limits to the precision of morphogen concentration sensing for two canonical mechanisms: the diffusion of morphogen through extracellular space and the direct transport of morphogen from source cell to target cell, e.g., via cytonemes. We find that direct transport establishes a morphogen profile without adding noise in the process. Despite this advantage, we find that for suffciently large values of profile length, the diffusion mechanism is many times more precise due to a higher refresh rate of morphogen molecules. We predict a profile lengthscale below which direct transport is more precise, and above which diffusion is more precise. This prediction is supported by data from a wide variety of morphogens in developing organisms.
A targeted e-learning approach to reduce student mixing during a pandemic
Authors: Yeo Sing Chen , Lai Clin K.Y. , Tan Jacinda , Gooley Joshua J.
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread closure of schools and universities. These institutions have turned to distance learning to provide educational continuity. Schools now face the challenge of how to reopen safely and resume in-class learning. However, there is little empirical evidence to guide decision-makers on how this can be achieved. Here, we show that selectively deploying e-learning for larger classes is highly effective at decreasing campus-wide opportunities for student-to-student contact, while allowing most in-class learning to continue uninterrupted. We conducted a natural experiment at a large university that implemented a series of e-learning interventions during the COVID-19 outbreak. Analyses of >24 million student connections to the university Wi-Fi network revealed that population size can be manipulated by e-learning in a targeted manner according to class size characteristics. Student mixing showed accelerated growth with population size according to a power law distribution. Therefore, a small e-learning dependent decrease in population size resulted in a large reduction in student clustering behaviour. Our results show that e-learning interventions can decrease potential for disease transmission while minimizing disruption to university operations. Universities should consider targeted e-learning a viable strategy for providing educational continuity during early or late stages of a disease outbreak.
Ush regulates hemocyte-specific gene expression, fatty acid metabolism and cell cycle progression and cooperates with dNuRD to orchestrate hematopoiesis
Authors: Lenz Jonathan , Liefke Robert , Funk Julianne , Shoup Samuel , Nist Andrea , Stiewe Thorsten , Schulz Robert , Tokusumi Yumiko , Albert Lea , Raifer Hartmann , Förstemann Klaus , Vázquez Olalla , Tokusumi Tsuyoshi , Fossett Nancy , Brehm Alexander
Published: June 2020

The generation of lineage-specific gene expression programmes that alter proliferation capacity, metabolic profile and cell type-specific functions during differentiation from multipotent stem cells to specialised cell types is crucial for development. During differentiation gene expression programmes are dynamically modulated by a complex interplay between sequence-specific transcription factors, associated cofactors and epigenetic regulators. Here, we study U-shaped (Ush), a multi-zinc finger protein that maintains the multipotency of stem cell-like hemocyte progenitors during Drosophila hematopoiesis. Using genomewide approaches we reveal that Ush binds to promoters and enhancers and that it controls the expression of three gene classes that encode proteins relevant to stem cell-like functions and differentiation: cell cycle regulators, key metabolic enzymes and proteins conferring specific functions of differentiated hemocytes. We employ complementary biochemical approaches to characterise the molecular mechanisms of Ush-mediated gene regulation. We uncover distinct Ush isoforms one of which binds the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex using an evolutionary conserved peptide motif. Remarkably, the Ush/NuRD complex specifically contributes to the repression of lineage-specific genes but does not impact the expression of cell cycle regulators or metabolic genes. This reveals a mechanism that enables specific and concerted modulation of functionally related portions of a wider gene expression programme. Finally, we use genetic assays to demonstrate that Ush and NuRD regulate enhancer activity during hemocyte differentiation in vivo and that both cooperate to suppress the differentiation of lamellocytes, a highly specialised blood cell type. Our findings reveal that Ush coordinates proliferation, metabolism and cell type-specific activities by isoform-specific cooperation with an epigenetic regulator.
In situstructure of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump at subnanometer resolution
Authors: Chen Muyuan , Shi Xiaodong , Yu Zhili , Fan Guizhen , Serysheva Irina , Baker Matthew L. , Luisi Ben F. , Ludtke Steven J. , Wang Zhao
Published: June 2020

In Gram-negative bacteria, tripartite efflux pump AcrAB-TolC plays a prominent role in antibiotic resistance. We have used high resolution cryo-ET to visualize the structure ofEscherichia coliAcrAB-TolC at a 7 Å resolution in intact cells. The resulting structures show the detailed architecture of the assembled complex embedded into cell envelope. Interactions with the inner membrane enable crosstalk between AcrB and TolC through AcrA, suggesting that assembly in the native cellular environment is critical for the pump activation mechanism, where the allosteric activating signal is triggered by the alternate binding of AcrA to the lipid membrane and AcrB porter domain. We establish a platform for high resolutionin situstructural studies of bacteria efflux pump, which can yield critical information in understanding complex assemblies’ function.

One sentence summary

A 7 Åin situstructure of the AcrAB-TolC pump from bacteria by cryo-ET reveals mechanisms for active efflux.
Broad-Range Virus Detection and Discovery Using Microfluidic PCR Coupled with High-throughput Sequencing
Authors: Tao Ying , Paden Clinton R. , Queen Krista , Zhang Jing , Tyagi Eishita , Tong Suxiang
Published: June 2020

There is a need for a comprehensive and sensitive method to test for a broad range of viral pathogens in samples without any identifiable pathogen detected. Real-time PCR assays are sensitive and rapid, but their specificity limits their utility in detecting divergent agents. Shotgun high-throughput sequencing methods provide unbiased sequence identification, however, they have limited sensitivity and require complex analyses. In order to meet the need for a sensitive, high-throughput virus detection and discovery platform with good sensitivity, we combine two existing technologies, broadly-reactive consensus-degenerate pan-viral group PCR and the MiSeq sequencer (Illumina), using the Access Array (Fluidigm), a commercially-available microfluidic PCR system. Pan-viral group primers target conserved regions of virus taxonomic groups and can amplify known and potentially novel species. The Access Array employs dozens of these assays in parallel, which are then sequenced all at once on the MiSeq. In this study, we run a respiratory panel of pan-viral group PCR assays using AA-PCR-Seq. We validate the panel on a collection of representative human and animal samples, comparing it to qPCR and shotgun next-generation sequencing (NGS). AA-PCR-Seq provides a robust, straightforward method for screening large numbers of samples for virus detection and discovery.
Computation noise promotes cognitive resilience to adverse conditions during decision-making
Authors: Findling Charles , Wyart Valentin
Published: June 2020

Random noise in information processing systems is widely seen as detrimental to function. But despite the large trial-to-trial variability of neural activity and behavior, humans and other animals show a remarkable adaptability to unexpected adverse events occurring during task execution. This cognitive ability, described as constitutive of general intelligence, is missing from current artificial intelligence (AI) systems which feature exact (noise-free) computations. Here we show that implementing computation noise in recurrent neural networks boosts their cognitive resilience to a variety of adverse conditions entirely unseen during training, in a way that resembles human and animal cognition. In contrast to artificial agents with exact computations, noisy agents exhibit hallmarks of Bayesian inference acquired in a ‘zero-shot’ fashion – without prior experience with conditions that require these computations for maximizing rewards. We further demonstrate that these cognitive benefits result from free-standing regularization of activity patterns in noisy neural networks. Together, these findings suggest that intelligence may ride on computation noise to promote near-optimal decision-making in adverse conditions without any engineered cognitive sophistication.
Lyophilized cell-free systems display tolerance to organic solvent exposure
Authors: Lee Marilyn S. , Raig Rebecca M. , Gupta Maneesh K. , Lux Matthew W.
Published: June 2020

Cell-free systems offer a powerful way to deliver biochemical activity to the field without cold chain storage. These systems are capable of sensing as well as biosynthesis of useful molecules at the point of need. So far, cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) reactions have been studied as aqueous solutions in test tubes or absorbed into paper or cloth. Embedding biological functionality into broadly-used materials, such as plastic polymers, represents an attractive goal. Unfortunately, this goal has for the most part remained out of reach, presumably due to the fragility of biological systems outside of aqueous environments. Here, we describe a surprising and useful feature of lyophilized cell-free lysate systems: tolerance to a variety of organic solvents. Screens of individual CFPS reagents and different CFPS methods reveal that solvent tolerance varies by CFPS reagent composition. Tolerance to suspension in organic solvents may facilitate the use of polymers to deliver dry cell-free reactions in the form of coatings or fibers, or allow dosing of analytes or substrates dissolved in non-aqueous solvents, among other processing possibilities.
Indirect traumatic optic neuropathy after head trauma in adolescent male mice is associated with behavioral visual impairment, neurodegeneration, and elevated endoplasmic reticulum stress markers at acute and subacute times
Authors: Cansler Shelby M. , Guilhaume-Correa Fernanda , Day Dylan , Bedolla Alicia , Evanson Nathan K.
Published: June 2020

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in a number of impairments, often including visual symptoms. In some cases, visual symptoms after head trauma are mediated by traumatic injury to the optic nerve, termed traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), which has few effective options for treatment. Using a murine closed-head weight-drop model of head trauma, we have previously reported in adult mice that there is relatively selective injury to the optic tract and thalamic/brainstem projections of the visual system. In the current study, we performed blunt head trauma on adolescent C57BL/6 mice, and investigated visual impairment in the primary visual system, now including the retina, using behavioral and histologic methods at multiple time points. After injury, mice displayed evidence of decreased optomotor responses illustrated by decreased optokinetic nystagmus. There did not appear to be a significant change in circadian locomotor behavior patterns, although there was an overall decrease in locomotor behavior in mice with head injury. There was evidence of axonal degeneration of optic nerve fibers with associated retinal ganglion cell death. There was also evidence of astrogliosis and microgliosis in major central targets of optic nerve projections. Further, there was elevated expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers in retinas of injured mice. Visual impairment, histologic markers of gliosis and neurodegeneration, and elevated ER stress marker expression persisted for at least 30 days after injury. The current results extend our previous findings in adult mice into adolescent mice, provide direct evidence of retinal ganglion cell injury after head trauma, and suggest that axonal degeneration is associated with elevated ER stress in this model of TON.
Spectrum of genes for inherited hearing loss in the Israeli Jewish population, including the novel human deafness geneATOH1
Authors: Brownstein Zippora , Gulsuner Suleyman , Walsh Tom , Martins Fábio Tadeu Arrojo , Taiber Shahar , Isakov Ofer , Lee Ming K. , Bordeynik-Cohen Mor , Birkan Maria , Chang Weise , Casadei Silvia , Danial-Farran Nada , Abu-Rayyan Amal , Carlson Ryan , Kamal Lara , Arnþórsson Ásgeir Örn , Sokolov Meirav , Gilony Dror , Lipschitz Noga , Frydman Moshe , Davidov Bella , Macarov Michal , Sagi Michal , Vinkler Chana , Poran Hana , Sharony Reuven , Samara Nadra , Zvi Na’ama , Baris-Feldman Hagit , Singer Amihood , Handzel Ophir , Hertzano Ronna , Ali-Naffaa Doaa , Ruhrman-Shahar Noa , Madgar Ory , Sofrin Efrat , Peleg Amir , Khayat Morad , Shohat Mordechai , Basel-Salmon Lina , Pras Elon , Lev Dorit , Wolf Michael , Steingrimsson Eirikur , Shomron Noam , Kelley Matthew W. , Kanaan Moien , Allon-Shalev Stavit , King Mary-Claire , Avraham Karen B.
Published: June 2020

Mutations in more than 150 genes are responsible for inherited hearing loss, with thousands of different, severe causal alleles that vary among populations. The Israeli Jewish population includes communities of diverse geographic origins, revealing a wide range of deafness-associated variants and enabling clinical characterization of the associated phenotypes. Our goal was to identify the genetic causes of inherited hearing loss in this population, and to determine relationships among genotype, phenotype, and ethnicity. Genomic DNA samples from informative relatives of 88 multiplex families, all of self-identified Jewish ancestry, with either non-syndromic or syndromic hearing loss, were sequenced for known and candidate deafness genes using the HEar-Seq gene panel. The genetic causes of hearing loss were identified for 60% of the families. One gene was encountered for the first time in human hearing loss:ATOH1(Atonal), a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor responsible for autosomal dominant progressive hearing loss in a five-generation family. Our results demonstrate that genomic sequencing with a gene panel dedicated to hearing loss is effective for genetic diagnoses in a diverse population. Comprehensive sequencing enables well-informed genetic counseling and clinical management by medical geneticists, otolaryngologists, audiologists, and speech therapists and can be integrated into newborn screening for deafness.