bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The bright side of pessimism: Promoting wealth redistribution under (felt) economic hardship
Authors: Galdi Silvia , Maass Anne , Robbiani Annalisa
Published: December 2020

Economic inequality is a collective issue that affects all citizens. However, people often fail to support redistribution strategies aimed at redressing inequality. In this work we investigated personal optimism and collective pessimism as psychological processes that contribute to hampering vs. promoting the demand for redistribution. Our prediction was that support for redistribution would require both a pessimistic economic outlook at the collective level and the perception of being economically disadvantaged. In two studies, one of which pre-registered, Italian participants (Study 1:N= 306; Study 2:N= 384) were led to feel relatively poor or rich, rated their perceived control over either their personal or the nation’s future and estimated either personal or national economic and general future risks. To measure support for redistribution, participants were invited to allocate their desired level of taxation to each of the five tax brackets included in the Italian personal income tax. Results showed that participants were optimistic about their personal future, but pessimistic about the fate of their nation. This difference was explained by respondents’ greater perceived control over personal future than over the nation’s future. Importantly, greater pessimism about national economic risks led to greater support for progressive taxation only for participants who felt relatively poor.
Envisioning a learning surveillance system for tuberculosis
Authors: Gadicherla Suman , Krishnappa Lalitha , Madhuri Bindu , Mitra Susanna G. , Ramaprasad Arkalgud , Seevan Raja , Sreeganga S. D. , Thodika Nibras K. , Mathew Salu , Suresh Vani
Published: December 2020

Surveillance is critical for interrupting transmission of global epidemics. Research has highlighted gaps in the surveillance for tuberculosis that range from failure to collect real-time data to lack of standardization of data for informed decision-making at different levels of the health system. Our research aims to advance conceptual and methodological foundations for the development of a learning surveillance system for Tuberculosis, that involves systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and feedback of outcome-specific data. It would concurrently involve the health care delivery system, public health laboratory, and epidemiologists. For our study, we systemically framed the cyber environment of TB surveillance as an ontology of the learning surveillance system. We validated the ontology by binary coding of dimensions and elements of the ontology with the metadata from an existing surveillance platform—GPMS TB Transportal. Results show GPMS TB Transportal collects a critical range of data for active case investigation and presumptive case screening for identifying and detecting confirmed TB cases. It is therefore targeted at assisting the Active Case Finding program. Building on the results, we demonstrate enhanced surveillance strategies for GPMS that are enumerated as pathways in the ontology. Our analysis reveals the scope for embedding learning surveillance pathways for digital applications in Direct Benefit Transfer, and Drug Resistance Treatment in National TB Elimination Programme in India. We discuss the possibilities of developing the transportal into a multi-level computer-aided decision support system for TB, using the innumerable pathways encapsulated in the ontology.
Stochastic representation decision theory: How probabilities and values are entangled dual characteristics in cognitive processes
Authors: Ferro Giuseppe M. , Sornette Didier
Published: December 2020

Humans are notoriously bad at understanding probabilities, exhibiting a host of biases and distortions that are context dependent. This has serious consequences on how we assess risks and make decisions. Several theories have been developed to replace the normative rational expectation theory at the foundation of economics. These approaches essentially assume that (subjective) probabilities weight multiplicatively the utilities of the alternatives offered to the decision maker, although evidence suggest that probability weights and utilities are often not separable in the mind of the decision maker. In this context, we introduce a simple and efficient framework on how to describe the inherently probabilistic human decision-making process, based on a representation of the deliberation activity leading to a choice through stochastic processes, the simplest of which is a random walk. Our model leads naturally to the hypothesis that probabilities and utilities are entangled dual characteristics of the real human decision making process. It predicts the famous fourfold pattern of risk preferences. Through the analysis of choice probabilities, it is possible to identify two previously postulated features of prospect theory: the inverse S-shaped subjective probability as a function of the objective probability and risk-seeking behavior in the loss domain. It also predicts observed violations of stochastic dominance, while it does not when the dominance is “evident”. Extending the model to account for human finite deliberation time and the effect of time pressure on choice, it provides other sound predictions: inverse relation between choice probability and response time, preference reversal with time pressure, and an inverse double-S-shaped probability weighting function. Our theory, which offers many more predictions for future tests, has strong implications for psychology, economics and artificial intelligence.
A comparison of the effectiveness of functional MRI analysis methods for pain research: The new normal
Authors: Stroman Patrick W. , Warren Howard J. M. , Ioachim Gabriela , Powers Jocelyn M. , McNeil Kaitlin
Published: December 2020

Studies of the neural basis of human pain processing present many challenges because of the subjective and variable nature of pain, and the inaccessibility of the central nervous system. Neuroimaging methods, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have provided the ability to investigate these neural processes, and yet commonly used analysis methods may not be optimally adapted for studies of pain. Here we present a comparison of model-driven and data-driven analysis methods, specifically for the study of human pain processing. Methods are tested using data from healthy control participants in two previous studies, with separate data sets spanning the brain, and the brainstem and spinal cord. Data are analyzed by fitting time-series responses to predicted BOLD responses in order to identify significantly responding regions (model-driven), as well as with connectivity analyses (data-driven) based on temporal correlations between responses in spatially separated regions, and with connectivity analyses based on structural equation modeling, allowing for multiple source regions to explain the signal variations in each target region. The results are assessed in terms of the amount of signal variance that can be explained in each region, and in terms of the regions and connections that are identified as having BOLD responses of interest. The characteristics of BOLD responses in identified regions are also investigated. The results demonstrate that data-driven approaches are more effective than model-driven approaches for fMRI studies of pain.
Prevalence of respiratory viruses using polymerase chain reaction in children with wheezing, a systematic review and meta–analysis
Authors: Kengne–Nde Cyprien , Kenmoe Sebastien , Modiyinji Abdou Fatawou , Njouom Richard
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Wheezing is a major problem in children, and respiratory viruses are often believed to be the causative agent. While molecular detection tools enable identification of respiratory viruses in wheezing children, it remains unclear if and how these viruses are associated with wheezing. The objective of this systematic review is to clarify the prevalence of different respiratory viruses in children with wheezing.

Methods

We performed an electronic in Pubmed and Global Index Medicus on 01 July 2019 and manual search. We performed search of studies that have detected common respiratory viruses in children ≤18 years with wheezing. We included only studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Study data were extracted and the quality of articles assessed. We conducted sensitivity, subgroup, publication bias, and heterogeneity analyses using a random effects model.

Results

The systematic review included 33 studies. Rhinovirus, with a prevalence of 35.6% (95% CI 24.6–47.3, I298.4%), and respiratory syncytial virus, at 31.0% (95% CI 19.9–43.3, I296.4%), were the most common viruses detected. The prevalence of other respiratory viruses was as follows: human bocavirus 8.1% (95% CI 5.3–11.3, I284.6%), human adenovirus 7.7% (95% CI 2.6–15.0, I291.0%), influenza virus6.5% (95% CI 2.2–12.6, I292.4%), human metapneumovirus5.8% (95% CI 3.4–8.8, I289.0%), enterovirus 4.3% (95% CI 0.1–12.9, I296.2%), human parainfluenza virus 3.8% (95% CI 1.5–6.9, I279.1%), and human coronavirus 2.2% (95% CI 0.6–4.4, I279.4%).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus may contribute to the etiology of wheezing in children. While the clinical implications of molecular detection of respiratory viruses remains an interesting question, this study helps to illuminate the potential of role respiratory viruses in pediatric wheezing.

Review registration

PROSPERO,CRD42018115128.
Masculinity and immune system efficacy in men
Authors: Nowak-Kornicka Judyta , Borkowska Barbara , Pawłowski Bogusław
Published: December 2020

Masculinity-related morphological traits are supposed to be honest indicators of a man's biological quality. While some studies showed that sexually dimorphic traits are related to various aspects of biological condition such as general health, immunity or fertility, still little is known about the relationship between masculine traits and the effectiveness of innate and adaptive immunity in humans. The aim of this study was to see if masculine traits, which are dependent on androgen levels in foetal and pubertal stages of development, are related to the immune quality in healthy men. The immune quality was evaluated for 91 healthy men aged 19–36 years. Immunity measurements included innate and adaptive parameters. General health status, age, testosterone level, BMI, physical activity, and smoking were controlled. The shoulder-to-hip ratio (SHR), 2D:4D digit ratio and hand-grip strength (HGS) were used as markers of masculinization. The regressions showed that when controlling for confounds, masculinity-related traits were in general not related to innate and adaptive immunity. Only a weak association was observed for right 2D:4D ratio and T-lymphocyte counts (but it becomes non-significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons). Our results do not support the premise that masculinity is a cue for immunological quality in men. However, the positive association between right 2D:4D and T lymphocytes might suggest that further studies are needed to verify if androgen stimulation in prenatal development might be related to immunity in adulthood.
Separating the effects of climate, bycatch, predation and harvesting on tītī (Ardenna grisea) population dynamics in New Zealand: A model-based assessment
Authors: McKechnie Sam , Fletcher David , Newman Jamie , Bragg Corey , Dillingham Peter W. , Clucas Rosemary , Scott Darren , Uhlmann Sebastian , Lyver Phil , Gormley Andrew ,   Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body, Moller Henrik
Published: December 2020

A suite of factors may have contributed to declines in the tītī (sooty shearwater;Ardenna grisea) population in the New Zealand region since at least the 1960s. Recent estimation of the magnitude of most sources of non-natural mortality has presented the opportunity to quantitatively assess the relative importance of these factors. We fit a range of population dynamics models to a time-series of relative abundance data from 1976 until 2005, with the various sources of mortality being modelled at the appropriate part of the life-cycle. We present estimates of effects obtained from the best-fitting model and using model averaging. The best-fitting models explained much of the variation in the abundance index when survival and fecundity were linked to the Southern Oscillation Index, with strong decreases in adult survival, juvenile survival and fecundity being related to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. Predation by introduced animals, harvesting by humans, and bycatch in fisheries also appear to have contributed to the population decline. It is envisioned that the best-fitting models will form the basis for quantitative assessments of competing management strategies. Our analysis suggests that sustainability of the New Zealand tītī population will be most influenced by climate, in particular by how climate change will affect the frequency and intensity of ENSO events in the future. Removal of the effects of both depredation by introduced predators and harvesting by humans is likely to have fewer benefits for the population than alleviating climate effects.
Development of test bench to determine the distribution of granular fertilizers in planting rows using spiral roller, two spiral rollers and fluted roller
Authors: Zimmermann Gabriel Ganancini , Jasper Samir Paulo , Kmiecik Leonardo Leônidas , Strapasson Neto Lauro , da Silva Thiago Xavier , Oiole Yasser Alabi
Published: December 2020

The success of the application of granular fertilizers (GFs) in planting rows depends on the uniformity and performance of product dispensing systems, which are influenced by external factors. The objective of this study was to determine the outflow rates of two GF formulations (GF1 04-14-08 and GF2 04-30-10) using three types of fertilizer spreader—with one spiral roller (A), two spiral rollers (B), or a fluted roller (C)—and three operating speeds (1,11, 1.94, and 2.77 m s-1). The following parameters were determined in GFs: density, angle of repose, water content, and segregation (particle size). In the designed test bench, GFs were transferred from a reservoir to a spreader, and ultimately to a container, where they were weighed, and data were transmitted to the data acquisition system (DAS). A total of 7,560 outflow data points were collected (g s-1) and subjected to descriptive analysis of measures of central tendency, dispersion, asymmetry, and kurtosis, and Shewhart control charts were generated. Particle density and segregation were significantly different between the GFs, whereas the angle of repose and water content were not significantly different. The bench design and the DAS allowed measuring the outflow of GFs in different spreaders and demonstrated that this parameter was influenced by particle segregation. The segregation of GF1 was higher than that of GF2. The outflow variability at the speed of 1.11 m s-1 was lower, and the spreader with a fluted roller had the highest uniformity and was the most suitable for application with variable rates.
Female reproductive tract has low concentration of SARS-CoV2 receptors
Authors: Goad Jyoti , Rudolph Joshua , Rajkovic Aleksandar
Published: December 2020

There has been significant concern regarding fertility and reproductive outcomes during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic. Recent data suggests a high concentration of SARS-Cov2 receptors, ACE2 or TMPRSS2, in nasal epithelium and cornea, which explains person-to-person transmission. We investigated the prevalence of SARS-CoV2 receptors among reproductive tissues by exploring the single-cell sequencing datasets from uterus, myometrium, ovary, fallopian tube, and breast epithelium. We did not detect significant expression of either ACE2 or TMPRSS2 in the normal human myometrium, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tube, or breast. Furthermore, none of the cell types in the female reproductive organs we investigated, showed the co-expression of ACE2 with proteases, TMPRSS2, Cathepsin B (CTSB), and Cathepsin L (CTSL) known to facilitate the entry of SARS2-CoV2 into the host cell. These results suggest that myometrium, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tube, and breast are unlikely to be susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV2.
HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes assessment among women of child-bearing age in South Sudan: Findings from a Household Survey
Authors: Mude William , Oguoma Victor M. , Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Ameyaw Edward K. , Njue Carolyne , Nyanhanda Tafadzwa , Adeleye Adeniyi O. , Dune Tinashe , Kaambwa Billingsley , Mwanri Lillian
Published: December 2020

This study assessed the determinants that shape HIV knowledge and attitudes among South Sudanese women by analysing a Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey collected from 9,061 women in 9,369 households. Generalised linear mixed model regression was performed. Fifty percent of respondents were aware of HIV/AIDS, with 21% and 22% exhibiting good knowledge and positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS, respectively. When controlled for individual and community-level variables, younger women (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.01–162), women with primary (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.86–2.58) and secondary (AOR = 4.48; 95% CI: 3.38–5.93) education, and those living in urban areas (AOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.12–1.76) had significantly good knowledge. Women in the richer (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08–2.36) and the richest (AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.35–3.02) wealth quintiles had significant positive attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. Well-designed social and behavioural campaigns targeting uneducated women and those living in rural and remote settings will enhance knowledge of perceived risk, awareness, and ability to carry out preventive behaviours.
Living with advanced heart failure: A qualitative study
Authors: Checa Caterina , Medina-Perucha Laura , Muñoz Miguel-Ángel , Verdú-Rotellar José María , Berenguera Anna
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Information about how patients with advanced heart failure (HF) live and cope with their disease remains scarce. The objective of this study was to explore, from phenomenological and holistic perspectives, the experiences of patients suffering from advanced HF, attended at home in the primary care setting in 2018.

Materials and methods

Qualitative study conducted in 4 primary healthcare centers in Barcelona (Spain). Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted in advanced HF patients, aged over 65 and visited regularly at home. We developed a purposeful sampling, accounting for variability in gender, age, and socioeconomic level. Leventhal’s framework was used to analyze the interviews.

Results

Participants received insufficient and contradictory information about HF. They talked about their cognitive representation and claimed a better communication with healthcare professionals. Due to their advanced age, subjects considered their daily living limitations to be normal rather than as a consequence of HF. Gender differences in emotional representation were clearly observed. Women considered themselves the keystone of correct family “functioning” and thought that they were not useful if they could not correspond to gendered societal expectations. Cognitive coping strategies included specific diets, taking medication, and registering weight and blood pressure. Nevertheless, they perceived the locus of control as external and felt unable to manage HF progression. Their emotional coping strategies included some activities at home such as watching television and reading. Social support was perceived crucial to the whole process.

Conclusions

Locus of control in advanced HF was perceived as external. Healthcare professionals should adapt emotional health interventions in patients with advanced HF based on a gender perspective. Social support was found to be crucial in facing the disease. Patients reported poor communication with healthcare professionals.
Gender difference in mortality among pulmonary tuberculosis HIV co-infected adults aged 15-49 years in Kenya
Authors: Kosgei Rose J. , Callens Steven , Gichangi Peter , Temmerman Marleen , Kihara Anne-Beatrice , David Gathara , Omesa Eunice Nyaboe , Masini Enos , Carter E. Jane
Published: December 2020

Setting

Kenya, 2012–2015

Objective

To explore whether there is a gender difference in all-cause mortality among smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)/ HIV co-infected patients treated for tuberculosis (TB) between 2012 and 2015 in Kenya.

Design

Retrospective cohort of 9,026 smear-positive patients aged 15–49 years. All-cause mortality during TB treatment was the outcome of interest. Time to start of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation was considered as a proxy for CD4 cell count. Those who took long to start of ART were assumed to have high CD4 cell count.

Results

Of the 9,026 observations analysed, 4,567(51%) and 4,459(49%) were women and men, respectively. Overall, out of the 9,026 patients, 8,154 (90%) had their treatment outcome as cured, the mean age in years (SD) was 33.3(7.5) and the mean body mass index (SD) was 18.2(3.4). Men were older (30% men’ vs 17% women in those ≥40 years, p = <0.001) and had a lower BMI <18.5 (55.3% men vs 50.6% women, p = <0.001). Men tested later for HIV: 29% (1,317/4,567) of women HIV tested more than 3 months prior to TB treatment, as compared to 20% (912/4,459) men (p<0.001). Mortality was higher in men 11% (471/4,459) compared to women 9% (401/4,567, p = 0.004). There was a 17% reduction in the risk of death among women (adjusted HR 0.83; 95% CI 0.72–0.96; p = 0.013). Survival varied by age-groups, with women having significantly better survival than men, in the age-groups 40 years and over (log-rank p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Women with sputum positive PTB/HIV co-infection have a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality during TB treatment compared to men. Men were older, had lower BMI and tested later for HIV than women.
Patient-reported physical functioning is limited in almost half of critical illness survivors 1-year after ICU-admission: A retrospective single-centre study
Authors: Beumeler Lise F. E. , van Wieren Anja , Buter Hanneke , van Zutphen Tim , Bruins Nynke A. , de Jager Corine M. , Koopmans Matty , Navis Gerjan J. , Boerma E. Christiaan
Published: December 2020

Post-intensive care unit (ICU) sequelae, including physical and mental health problems, are relatively unexplored. Characteristics commonly used to predict outcome lack prognostic value when it comes to long-term physical recovery. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the incidence of non-recovery in long-stay ICU-patients. In this single-centre study, retrospective data of adults with an ICU stay >48 hours who visited the specialized post-ICU clinic, and completed the Dutch RAND 36-item Short Form questionnaire at 3 and 12 months post-ICU, were retrieved from electronic patient records. In cases where physical functioning scores at 12 months were below reference values, patients were allocated to the physical non-recovery (NR) group. Significantly different baseline and (post-)ICU-characteristics were assessed for correlations with physical recovery at 12 months post-ICU. Of 250 patients, 110 (44%) fulfilled the criteria for the NR-group. Neither the severity of illness, type of admission, nor presence of sepsis did not differ between groups. However, NR-patients had a higher age, were more often female, and had a higher incidence of co-morbidities. Shorter LOS ICU, lower incidence of medical comorbidities, and better physical performance at 3 months were significantly correlated with 1-year physical recovery. Comorbidities and reduced physical functioning at 3 months were identified as independent risk-factors for long-term physical non-recovery. In conclusion, a substantial proportion of long-stay ICU-patients who visited the standard care post-ICU clinic did not fulfil the criteria for full physical recovery at 12 months post-ICU. Commonly used ICU-characteristics, such as severity of illness, do not have sufficient prognostic value when it comes to long-term recovery of health-related quality of life.
Transcriptome analysis of the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum during lignocellulose degradation
Authors: Umezawa Kiwamu , Niikura Mai , Kojima Yuka , Goodell Barry , Yoshida Makoto
Published: December 2020

Brown rot fungi have great potential in biorefinery wood conversion systems because they are the primary wood decomposers in coniferous forests and have an efficient lignocellulose degrading system. Their initial wood degradation mechanism is thought to consist of an oxidative radical-based system that acts sequentially with an enzymatic saccharification system, but the complete molecular mechanism of this system has not yet been elucidated. Some studies have shown that wood degradation mechanisms of brown rot fungi have diversity in their substrate selectivity.Gloeophyllum trabeum, one of the most studied brown rot species, has broad substrate selectivity and even can degrade some grasses. However, the basis for this broad substrate specificity is poorly understood. In this study, we performed RNA-seq analyses onG.trabeumgrown on media containing glucose, cellulose, or Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) as the sole carbon source. Comparison to the gene expression on glucose, 1,129 genes were upregulated on cellulose and 1,516 genes were upregulated on cedar. Carbohydrate Active enZyme (CAZyme) genes upregulated on cellulose and cedar media byG.trabeumincluded glycoside hyrolase family 12 (GH12), GH131, carbohydrate esterase family 1 (CE1), auxiliary activities family 3 subfamily 1 (AA3_1), AA3_2, AA3_4 and AA9, which is a newly reported expression pattern for brown rot fungi. The upregulation of both terpene synthase and cytochrome P450 genes on cedar media suggests the potential importance of these gene products in the production of secondary metabolites associated with the chelator-mediated Fenton reaction. These results provide new insights into the inherent wood degradation mechanism ofG.trabeumand the diversity of brown rot mechanisms.
Protective efficacy of an attenuated Mtb ΔLprG vaccine in mice
Authors: Martinot Amanda J. , Blass Eryn , Yu Jingyou , Aid Malika , Mahrokhian Shant H. , Cohen Sara B. , Plumlee Courtney R. , Larocca Rafael A. , Siddiqi Noman , Wakabayashi Shoko , Gardner Michelle , Audette Rebecca , Devorak Anne , Urdahl Kevin B. , Rubin Eric J. , Barouch Dan H.
Published: December 2020

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG), an attenuated whole cell vaccine based on Mycobacterium bovis, is the only licensed vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), but its efficacy is suboptimal and it fails to protect against pulmonary tuberculosis. We previously reported that Mtb lacking the virulence genes lprG and rv1410c (ΔLprG) was highly attenuated in immune deficient mice. In this study, we show that attenuated ΔLprG Mtb protects C57BL/6J, Balb/cJ, and C3HeB/FeJ mice against Mtb challenge and is as attenuated as BCG in SCID mice. In C3HeB/FeJ mice, ΔLprG vaccination resulted in innate peripheral cytokine production and induced high polyclonal PPD-specific cytokine-secreting CD4+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood. The ΔLprG vaccine afforded protective efficacy in the lungs of C3H/FeJ mice following both H37Rv and Erdman aerosolized Mtb challenges. Vaccine efficacy correlated with antigen-specific PD-1-negative CD4+ T lymphocytes as well as with serum IL-17 levels after vaccination. We hypothesize that induction of Th17 cells in lung is critical for vaccine protection, and we show a serum cytokine biomarker for IL-17 shortly after vaccination may predict protective efficacy.
The CH1α domain of mucosal gp41 IgA contributes to antibody specificity and antiviral functions in HIV-1 highly exposed Sero-Negative individuals
Authors: Khamassi Marwa , Xu Lin , Rey Julien , Duchemin Maxence , Bouceba Tahar , Tuffery Pierre , Tudor Daniela , Bomsel Morgane
Published: December 2020

The antibody molecule comprises a variable domain conferring antigen specificity and affinity distinct from the heavy chain constant (CH) domains dictating effector functions. We here interrogate this paradigm by evaluating the unique influence of the CH1α domain on epitope specificity and functions using two mucosal gp41-specific Fab-IgAs (FabA) derived from HIV-1 highly-exposed but persistently seronegative individuals (HESN). These HESN develop selectively affinity-matured HIV-1-specific mucosal IgA that target the gp41 viral envelope and might provide protection although by unclear mechanisms. Isotype-switching FabAs into Fab-IgGs (FabGs) results in a >10-fold loss in affinity for HIV-1 clade A, B, and C gp41, together with reduced neutralization of HIV-1 cross-clade. The FabA conformational epitopes map selectively on gp41 in 6-Helix bundle and pre-fusion conformations cross-clade, unlike FabGs. Finally, we designed in silico, a 12 amino-acid peptide recapitulating one FabA conformational epitope that inhibits the FabA binding to gp41 cross-clade and its neutralizing activity. Altogether, our results reveal that the CH1α domain shapes the antibody paratope through an allosteric effect, thereby strengthening the antibody specificity and functional activities. Further, they clarify the mechanisms by which these HESN IgAs might confer protection against HIV-1-sexual acquisition. The IgA-specific epitope we characterized by reverse vaccinology could help designing a mucosal HIV-1 vaccine.
Bacterial persisters in long-term infection: Emergence and fitness in a complex host environment
Authors: Bartell Jennifer A. , Cameron David R. , Mojsoska Biljana , Haagensen Janus Anders Juul , Pressler Tacjana , Sommer Lea M. , Lewis Kim , Molin Søren , Johansen Helle Krogh
Published: December 2020

Despite intensive antibiotic treatment,Pseudomonas aeruginosaoften persists in the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients for decades, and can do so without antibiotic resistance development. Using high-throughput screening assays of bacterial survival after treatment with high concentrations of ciprofloxacin, we have determined the prevalence of persisters in a large patient cohort using 460 longitudinal isolates ofP.aeruginosafrom 39 CF patients. Isolates were classed as high persister variants (Hip) if they regrew following antibiotic treatment in at least 75% of the experimental replicates. Strain genomic data, isolate phenotyping, and patient treatment records were integrated in a lineage-based analysis of persister formation and clinical impact. In total, 19% of the isolates were classified as Hip and Hip emergence increased over lineage colonization time within 22 Hip+ patients. Most Hip+ lineages produced multiple Hip isolates, but few Hip+ lineages were dominated by Hip. While we observed no strong signal of adaptive genetic convergence within Hip isolates, they generally emerged in parallel or following the development of ciprofloxacin resistance and slowed growth. Transient lineages were majority Hip-, while strains that persisted over a clinically diagnosed ‘eradication’ period were majority Hip+. Patients received indistinguishable treatment regimens before Hip emergence, but Hip+ patients overall were treated significantly more than Hip- patients, signaling repeated treatment failure. When subjected toin vivo-similar antibiotic dosing, a Hip isolate survived better than a non-Hip in a structured biofilm environment. In sum, the Hip phenotype appears to substantially contribute to long-term establishment of a lineage in the CF lung environment. Our results argue against the existence of a single dominant molecular mechanism underlying bacterial antibiotic persistence. We instead show that many routes, both phenotypic and genetic, are available for persister formation and consequent increases in strain fitness and treatment failure in CF airways.
The silent women: The representation of Israeli female soldiers in Israeli women’s films
Authors: Moshe Mira , Aharoni Matan
Published: December 2020

Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Israel has known seven wars, seven prominent violent operations and numerous military conflicts. During this period (1948–2019), 86 Israeli screen stories have engaged with the motif of Israel’s military/wars. However, only two of them were written by women and focused on the female Israeli soldier. The marginal position of screen stories based on Israeli women’s experience in the military presents a unique opportunity to unravel the notions female screenwriters have of women’s conduct in a patriarchal military culture. Our findings suggest that female Israeli screenwriters (a) propose a dual vision for women – on the one hand, they are portrayed as silenced, while on the other they use silence as a coping tactic; (b) represent the hegemonic male as silencing women’s voices even though in some cases women silence hegemonic men; and (c) depict military service as an opportunity for women to unravel their femininity.
How to Write for Moving Pictures: A Manual of Instruction and Information, Marguerite Bertsch (1917)
Authors: Barley Diane
Published: December 2020

Review of: How to Write for Moving Pictures: A Manual of Instruction and Information, Marguerite Bertsch (1917)

New York: G. H. Doran Company, 268 pp.,

ISBN 978-13-40460-04-4, h/bk, £20.79

ISBN 978-13-77165-03-5, p/bk, £15.99
Sobre el héroe como figura legitimadora de los valores de la ilustración. Estrategias de producción, cambios y desacuerdos
Authors: Soriano Muñoz Nuria
Published: December 2020

En tiempos de inseguridad política, literatos y gobernantes apoyaron toda una serie de argumentos orientados a construir héroes civilizadores y sacrificados en beneficio de la patria, la sociedad y el «bien común». Este artículo analiza las variadas estrategias y formas, siempre en constante proceso de definición, con los que este heroísmo ilustrado proliferó en la segunda mitad del siglo. Después de pasar revista a las coordenadas históricas y a los debates en los que se desenvuelve la fabricación de nuevos héroes, sin dejar de lado otro tipo de heroísmo —heredado de la cultura humanista— me detendré específicamente en los conquistadores de América, sometidos a la crítica de los intelectuales europeos. El heroísmo funcionó como instrumento de propaganda para consolidar una imagen positiva de la patria, capaz de anudar identidades colectivas e individuales y encarnar al mismo tiempo la modernidad y el progreso de la nación. El héroe permite comprender los valores políticos y las controversias sobre la masculinidad y la civilización que imperaban en la sociedad del siglo XVIII, siempre alejados de un significado único y estable.
Una nación moderna. Masculinidades españolas postimperiales frente a Guinea Ecuatorial
Authors: Santamaría Colmenero Sara
Published: December 2020

Este artículo analiza una serie de discursos sobre la nación española que, en las últimas dos décadas, representan España como una nación moderna en contraposición con su antigua colonia, Guinea Ecuatorial. Aborda, para ello, la interrelación entre los discursos nacionales y la categoría de género, que atraviesa una serie de obras ensayísticas y literarias ambientadas en la antigua colonia. Estudia los diferentes modelos de masculinidad que se han identificado con la nación española con el objetivo de defender su papel positivo y civilizador para el país africano, concebido como atrasado, cuyas gentes necesitarían de la tutela de la antigua metrópolis para avanzar en la senda del progreso. Identifica y analiza dos modelos de masculinidad: el arquetipo del explorador, que reactualiza un modelo de masculinidad colonial, y el del hombre cosmopolita homosexual.
Postindustrial Elite and Non-Elite Insecurities
Authors: Higley John
Published: December 2020

A society becomes postindustrial when 40 percent of its workforce is employed in bureaucratic and service work, a proportion that increases quite rapidly to 70-75, even 80 percent (cf. Bell 1999, xv). By the 1950s the composition of workforces in the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Canada had reached the 40 percent threshold to postindustrial conditions, and during the succeeding two or three decades virtually all other Western countries, plus Japan, crossed it. Quite unforeseen by nearly all observers at the time, non-elites in the first postindustrial societies began to divide into two loose interest and attitude camps during the 1960s and 1970s. The camps’ boundaries were not contiguous with those of the classes and strata that derived from the agricultural, manual industrial, and non-manual workforce components so prominent during historical socioeconomic development.
Co-authorship trends and collaboration patterns in the Slovenian sociological community
Authors: Mali Franc , Kronegger Luka , Ferligoj Anuska
Published: December 2020

The article deals with some processes generating increases of research collaboration one of the most characteristic tendencies of modern science. The major empirical focus is the increasing tendency of co-authorship in sociology in Slovenia. Bibliometric analyses, based on two joint national research information systems (SICRIS and COBISS), shows the amount of co-authored publications in the field of sociology increased over the last two decades. Blockmodeling of co-authorship networks in sociology has shown that the sociologists who are not systematically tied to strongly connected and well-established research groups produce the most excellent scientific publications in their field.
Tax implications of dividend policy
Authors: Barabás Zoltán , Fazakas Gergely
Published: December 2020

The focus of debates about dividend policy is whether any given extent of dividend pay-out creates added value for the shareholders – i.e. whether any price change is induced by such alterations of the dividend level that are announced currently or expected in the future. In the most simple way the main problem of dividend policy is to pay out the profit as dividend or to reinvest in the company as a plow-back. It seems, that several factors influence the firms’ dividend policy: risk, taxes, costs, information, shareholders clienteles, shareholders’ behaviour etc. I will deal only the tax effects.
„Do the unemployed want to work?” Employee ability and willingness of unemployed
Authors: Csoba Judit
Published: December 2020

Seeking ways out of unemployment in today's Europe the most accentuated argument support the "workfare" model. Among views backing the necessity of the new labour market model the incontestable argument can be detected in the background ever more often, namely the change from the "welfare" system giving social support for those losing touch to the "workfare" system guaranteeing resources in the ratio of work is necessary as unemployed do not want to work. The fact of vagrancy is emphasized generally by liberals and conservatives while social democrats argue that the number of voluntary unemployed is rather small in today's society with results of empiric analyses. In their opinion the problem is not the willingness to work but the insufficient number of jobs and disproportionate salary compared to performance. Therefore their answer goes like: unemployed can not (no job), are not able (qualification, health condition) to work or taking a job is not worth it as it leads to deficit (salaries failing to ensure living).
Why do Hungarian civil organizations not like to co-operate?
Authors: Kóbor Krisztina
Published: December 2020

This essay is based on the fact proven by research that today's co-operation between civil organisations in Hungary is incidental. However, the question is, and we receive an answer to this rarely or not at all, which theoretical and practical causes we can specify here. The author is therefore attempting in the following to outline the socio-historic, welfare-politic and practical motive system which provides a basis for the non-co-operative practice of the civil organisations and based on which more effective programs and interventions can be applied in order to support the collaborative practice.
Animals in the COVID-19 Era: Between Being a source, Victims, or Maybe our Hope to Overcome it!
Authors: Gupta Shilpi , Elkhenany Hoda , Kumar Prabhat , Okda Faten A.
Published: December 2020

The indirect misuse of animals usually correlated to catastrophic consequences like the one we are facing now, novel coronavirus disease-19. However, the source of infection is not fully confirmed yet. But the finger of blame points to bats and pangolins. Hence, understanding and raising awareness about wild animals and the consequences of their misuse are a must to avoid future pandemics. Herein, we threw light on the most animals involved in the current epidemic as well as possible animals in the shadow. Random serological investigations of samples from animals of different species (including asymptomatic animals) are required to understand the prevalence and severity of the infection, the extent of the transmission, and the monitoring of the situation over time. Moreover, alleviating fear associated with the possibility of human infection from their pets, we highlight that there are no reports that confirm this hypothesis; however, the opposite has been reported. Similarly, there is no proof that pigs can become infected amplify or spread novel coronavirus.
ATUAÇÃO DOS TRABALHADORES COM DEFICIÊNCIA NOS HOSPITAIS UNIVERSITÁRIOS DE UBERLÂNDIA-MG E A RELAÇÃO DAS SUAS LIMITAÇÕES COM OS RISCOS OCUPACIONAIS
Authors: Amaral Elaine Gomes do , Sampaio Antônio Carlos Freire
Published: December 2020

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivoconhecer quais as relações entre as limitações com os riscos ocupacionais dos trabalhadores com deficiência que trabalham em hospitais universitários e odontológicos de Uberlândia, além de identificar quais são essas limitações e como é a sua atuação laboral. A partir da década de 1970 foi possível diferenciar os conceitos de patologia, deficiência, limitações e incapacidade. Nesse contexto, na década de 80 era comum designar uma pessoa com deficiência como defeituosa, inválida, aleijada e outras denominações. Após esse período, a denominação correta foi “pessoas deficientes”, logo após aprofundar os estudos passaram para “pessoas portadoras de deficiência” e, a partir da década de 90, “pessoas com deficiência”, denominação que ainda se mantém. A pessoa com deficiência teve sua inserção no mercado de trabalho em um contexto histórico conturbado decorrente de transformações no que tange o trabalho. A partir dessa conjuntura esses trabalhadores merecem atenção especial devido a seu histórico de lutas. Utilizou-se neste estudo duas abordagens metodológicas: a quantitativa e a qualitativa. Para capturar essas vivências foi utilizado como instrumentos a observação sistemática dos aspectos do cotidiano do pesquisado. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no Hospital Universitário de Uberlândia (HC/UFU) e Hospital Odontológico (HO/UFU).
El tiempo y los procesos en la Iglesia
Authors: Morán Bustos Carlos
Published: December 2020

El presente artículo defiende la incorporación del «derecho a la duración razonable de los procesos» como complemento del derecho a la tutela judicial efectiva reconocido en el can. 221. Se parte de la idea de que la celeridad procesal no es un principio esencial del proceso, sino un principio «pastoral», propio de una comunidad como es la Iglesia, que se preocupa del desarrollo tempestivo de los procesos de nulidad. Aunque la ratio fundamental del proceso es la búsqueda de la verdad del vínculo, de modo que la celeridad procesal tiene un carácter subsidiario e instrumental, también la celeridad debe buscarse como exigencia de un derecho fundamental. Apuntadas las verdaderas causas del retraso de los procesos, el autor propone «canonizar» el derecho a un proceso sin dilaciones indebidas característico de la mayoría de los ordenamientos «seculares», y hacerlo a través del que podríamos llamar «derecho (fundamental) a la duración razonable de los procesos». Este derecho fundamental vendría a ser un principio de acción de desarrollo de todo el proceso y se concretaría en pautas de conducta por parte de todos los operadores jurídicos; de esta manera se podría ir más allá de las meras recomendaciones, pudiendo establecerse pautas concretas de actuación, incluso mecanismos correctores de la falta de diligencia.
Multimodality in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Crane-Deklerk Kelsey
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to explore the uses of multimodality within early childhood education classrooms for the purposes of literacy education. Wohlwend (2008) urges educators to keep age-appropriate practices in place, even amid a shift in educational requirements and expectations. In this paper, the use of age-appropriate, multimodal practices for young learners is explored. Though there is not necessarily research specific to multimodality in early childhood, the literature shows that multimodality is present in forms of play; the use of toys, devices, and technology; drama; and social interactions. Through these modality-rich avenues, literacy development can still be achieved through engaging structures for children. Multimodality creates opportunities to position the student as the expert in their own learning and create collaborative learning environments. Potential issues with these uses of multimodality include conflicts around devices in the classroom and negative social interactions. Additional research is needed to connect the fields of multimodality and early childhood education.
Introduction
Authors: Coronel-Molina Serafín M.
Published: December 2020

The International Journal of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (IJLCLE) was born out of the peer-reviewed Working Papers in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education (WPLCLE) published virtually in five volumes from 2012 to 2017. IJLCLE is an open-source, peer-reviewed international journal dedicated to publishing research in the field of literacy, culture, and language education from multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary perspectives. Its mission is to promote the academic exchange of ideas and dissemination of research among scholars and researchers from diverse fields of study worldwide. Authors are invited to submit manuscripts describing scholarly research on a wide range of topics related to language, literacy, and culture in education. Theoretical and conceptual study, empirical and applied research using qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies, critical papers, special issues, and book reviews are all invited. Contributions from a host of disciplines such as sociolinguistics, sociology of language, psycholinguistics, educational linguistics, applied linguistics, linguistic anthropology, raciolinguistics, literacy studies, cultural studies, language and gender studies, language and political economy, media and technology, language education, teacher education, educational policy, semiotics, pragmatics, language policy and planning, language revitalization, and linguistic landscapes are very welcome. The intended audience of IJLCLE are researchers, scholars, educators, and graduate students from around the world.