bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demonstrating the Reliability of bio-met for Determining Compliance with Environmental Quality Standards for Metals in Europe
Authors: Peters Adam , Nys Charlotte , Merrington Graham , Verdonck Frederik , Baken Stijn , Cooper Christopher A. , Van Assche Frank , Schlekat Christian , Garman Emily
Published: September 2020

The importance of considering the bioavailability of metals in understanding and assessing their toxicity in freshwaters has been recognized for many years. Currently, biotic ligand models (BLMs) are being applied for the derivation and implementation of environmental quality standards (EQS) for metals under the Water Framework Directive in Europe. bio-met is a simplified tool that was developed for implementing bioavailability-based EQS for metals in European freshwaters. We demonstrate the reliability of the relationship between the full BLM predictions and the thresholds (hazardous concentration affecting 5% of species [HC5] values) predicted by bio-met in 3 stages, for the metals copper, nickel, and zinc. First, ecotoxicity data for specific species from laboratory tests in natural waters are compared with predictions by the individual species BLMs included in the full BLMs. Second, the site-specific HC5 values predicted by bio-met for the natural waters used for ecotoxicity testing are compared with those provided by the full BLMs. The reliability of both relationships is demonstrated for all 3 metals, with more than 80% of individual species BLM predictions being within a factor of 3 of the experimental results, and 99% of bio-met local HC5 predictions being within a factor of 2 of the full BLM result. Third, using a larger set of European natural waters in addition demonstrates the reliability of bio-met over a broad range of water chemistry conditions. bio-met is therefore an appropriate tool for performing compliance assessments against EQS values in Europe, due to the demonstrated consistency with the toxicity test data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2361–2377. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

The reliability of site-specific hazardous concentration affecting 5% of species (HC5) values provided by bio-met for compliance assessment against environmental quality standards (EQS) can be demonstrated by comparison with individual species ecotoxicity tests in natural waters through bioavailability normalized site-specific species sensitivity distributions (SSDs).
Restoration concessions: a second lease on life for beleaguered tropical forests?
Authors: Harrison Rhett D , Swinfield Tom , Ayat Asep , Dewi Sonya , Silalahi Mangara , Heriansyah Ika
Published: October 2020

Logging has depleted timber resources across a considerable portion of the world's tropical forests, leaving them vulnerable to conversion to other land‐use types. This raises the question of whether management for restoration represents an economically viable alternative. We reviewed restoration concessions (areas of degraded state forest land leased to enterprises on long‐term [≥60‐year] licenses for restoration‐compatible business development) in Indonesia since their introduction in 2004 and found that, although many opportunities and actions are being explored, business models remain largely aspirational. Costs – including those associated with taxes and reporting, forest protection, community development, and restoration interventions – are high, while developing revenues at sufficient scale from carbon markets, non‐timber forest products, and ecosystem services is challenging. Potential solutions include the development of restoration‐compatible revenue streams and value‐added processing to generate income, investment in communities to bring them in as partners in restoration enterprises, and creation of a supportive regulatory environment by reducing statutory costs and eliminating perverse regulations. Restoration concessions are a scalable policy option for promoting private investment in restoration that could be replicated internationally to help meet ambitious global restoration targets.
Dietary Habits and their Association with Metabolic Syndrome in a sample of Iranian adults: A population‐based study
Authors: Lorzadeh Elnaz , Sangsefidi Zohreh Sadat , Mirzaei Masoud , Hosseinzadeh Mahdieh
Published: September 2020

Background

Central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension are the core components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) which is coincident with unhealthy dietary habits in the Middle‐Eastern countries. The aim of this study was to explore the association between dietary habits and MetS of the adult population living in Yazd Greater Area, Iran.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study that uses the data of a population‐based cohort study on Iranian adults, known as Yazd Health Study (YaHS). The relationship between dietary habits and metabolic syndrome among adults (n = 2,896) was analyzed using multiple logistic regression method.

Results

The prevalence of MetS among the participants was 32.2%. Outcomes from logistic regression examination show that breakfast consumption has a significant inverse effect on the occurrence of MetS after adjustment for age, education level, physical activity statue, history of chronic diseases, and smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14, 0.97). This effect remains significant even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and reveals that odds of having MetS is 69% lower in breakfast consumers in contrast to nonconsumers (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.87). However, no significant relationship was observed between other dietary habits including consumption of sweetened drinks, sugar cubes, and fast foods and MetS after adjustment for all potential confounders.

Conclusions

This study revealed that eating breakfast has an inverse relationship with metabolic syndrome. To find out stronger evidence in relation to dietary habits and MetS, more researches especially population‐based cohort studies are needed to be conducted.
Antirrhinum majus L. flower extract inhibits cell growth and metastatic properties in human colon and lung cancer cell lines
Authors: Seo Jina , Lee Jungjae , Yang Hyi Young , Ju Jihyeung
Published: October 2020

Snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus L.) flowers are one of the most frequently used edible flowers in different preparations of foods and drinks. In this study, we examined inhibitory effects of snapdragon flower extract (SFE) against distinctive properties of cancer cells, stimulated growth, and activated metastasis, using H1299 lung cancer and HCT116 colon cancer cell lines. SFE treatment at 100–1,000 μg/ml for 24–72 hr resulted in a time‐ and dose‐dependent growth inhibition in H1299 and HCT116 cells. Cell cycle analysis and Annexin V staining assay further revealed that SFE caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and induction of apoptosis, indicating the growth inhibition by SFE is attributed to its G2/M cell cycle‐arresting and apoptosis‐inducing activities. SFE dose‐dependently enhanced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in H1299 cells but had no effect on intracellular ROS levels in HCT116 cells, suggesting that the type of apoptosis induced by SFE in H1299 cells is different to that in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, SFE alleviated invasion, levels of matrix metalloproteinases, migration, and adhesion in H1299 and HCT116 cells. These results indicate that SFE not only inhibits cell growth by cell cycle arrest at G2/M and apoptosis induction but also alleviates metastatic properties such as invasion, migration, and adhesion in lung and colon cancer cells.
Irish Serpukhovian revisited
Authors: Cózar Pedro , Somerville Ian D.
Published: October 2020

In this study of Mississippian rocks in Ireland, it is now recognized, based on faunal evidence, that several upper Viséan limestone formations which were previously excluded from the Serpukhovian now belong, in part, to the lower two substages of the Serpukhovian. A reassessment of previous foraminiferal determinations, together with new foraminiferal data, has confirmed that rocks equivalent to the Tarusian and Steshevian substages are present in several sections. In the Slievenaglasha Formation and Magowna Formation (County Clare) and Deer Park Formation (County Meath), Tarusian and Steshevian foraminiferal assemblages are thus recorded. In the Clogrenan Formation (County Carlow), Carganamuck Limestone Formation (County Armagh) and Rockdale Limestone Formation (County Tyrone), Tarusian foraminiferal assemblages are recorded in the upper beds of thick limestone successions. Key foraminiferal and algal taxa characterize each assemblage, which have been correlated with equivalent Serpukhovian strata in the north of England and Scotland. A three‐stage evolution is recognized in archaediscid foraminifers: from Neoarchaediscus gregorii, followed by Neoarchaediscus postrugosus form 1, and N. postrugosus form 2, with Neoarchaediscus postrugosus form 1 used to define the base of the Serpukhovian. The recognition of Tarusian and Steshevian foraminiferal assemblages implies that areas of shallow‐water platform carbonate sedimentation in Ireland during the upper Viséan (Brigantian) persisted into the Early Serpukhovian.
U–Pb zircon age and geochemistry of the Cuocun gabbro in the southern Lhasa Terrane: Implications for Early Cretaceous rollback of the Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab
Authors: He Qing , Lang Xinghai , Li Liang , Chen Cuihua , Wang Xuhui , Deng Yulin , Yin Qing , Xie Fuwei , Yang Zongyao , Zhang Zhong , Jiang Kai
Published: October 2020

The geodynamic mechanism of the Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks in the southern Lhasa Terrane remains controversial. To constrain the Early Cretaceous petrogenesis and tectonic evolution of the Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab, we have undertaken zircon U–Pb dating, whole‐rock major and trace element analyses, and Sr–Nd–Pb–Hf isotopic studies of the Cuocun gabbro from the southern Lhasa Terrane. The zircon U–Pb dating yielded an Early Cretaceous crystallization age of 146.9 ± 0.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.77, 2σ). The Cuocun gabbro is enriched in large‐ion lithophile elements (e.g., Rb, Sr, and Ba) and depleted in high‐field‐strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti). The initial 87Sr/86Sr value are low (0.70361–0.70460), εNd(t) and εHf(t) values are high and positive (from +5.1 to +6.6 and from +11.0 to 17.0, respectively), and Pb isotope specific value are homogeneous (initial 206Pb/204Pb = 18.163–18.457, 207Pb/204Pb = 15.541–15.632, and 208Pb/204Pb = 38.262–38.673). The gabbro originated from the partial melting of a depleted mantle wedge that had reacted with slab‐derived fluids, and the ascending magmas underwent fractional crystallization without significant crustal contamination. Combining our data with those from previous studies of Early Cretaceous magmatism in the southern Lhasa Terrane, we suggest that the Early Cretaceous magmatic rocks (147–130 Ma) in the southern Lhasa Terrane were generated within a continental marginal arc setting related to the rollback of the northwards subducting Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab.
Endoscopic transoral nasopharyngectomy
Authors: Soriano Roberto M. , Rindler Rima S. , Helman Samuel N. , Pradilla Gustavo , Solares C. Arturo
Published: September 2020

Background

A minimal access technique for the management of nasopharyngeal tumors extending below the palatal plane and laterally beyond the pterygoid musculature is yet to be developed. In this study we demonstrate the feasibility of endoscopic transoral nasopharyngectomy (ETON) for resection of large nasopharyngeal lesions as a natural orifice alternative to traditional approaches.

Methods

ETON was completed in three latex‐injected specimens. Surgical freedom (SF) and angles of attack (AoA) were calculated along the internal carotid artery (ICA).

Results

An endoscopic transoral approach was successfully used to identify the parapharyngeal ICA and subsequently perform a complete nasopharyngeal resection. SF and AoA (sagittal) were found to be the greatest at the anterior genu of the ICA.

Conclusions

ETON is feasible. It provides wide exposure of the skull base and proximal control of the ICA. It may be indicated for the management of nasopharyngeal tumors with inferolateral extension, involving the ICA.
Assessing plot‐scale impacts of land use on overland flow generation in Central Panama
Authors: Bush Sidney A. , Stallard Robert F. , Ebel Brian A. , Barnard Holly R.
Published: October 2020

Land use in Panama has changed dramatically with ongoing deforestation and conversion to cropland and cattle pastures, potentially altering the soil properties that drive the hydrological processes of infiltration and overland flow. We compared plot‐scale overland flow generation between hillslopes in forested and actively cattle‐grazed watersheds in Central Panama. Soil physical and hydraulic properties, soil moisture and overland flow data were measured along hillslopes of each land‐use type. Soil characteristics and rainfall data were input into a simple, 1‐D representative model, HYDRUS‐1D, to simulate overland flow that we used to make inferences about overland flow response at forest and pasture sites. Runoff ratios (overland flow/rainfall) were generally higher at the pasture site, although no overall trends were observed between rainfall characteristics and runoff ratios across the two land uses at the plot scale. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and bulk density were different between the forest and pasture sites (p < 10−4). Simulating overland flow in HYDRUS‐1D produced more outputs similar to the overland flow recorded at the pasture site than the forest site. Results from our study indicate that, at the plot scale, Hortonian overland flow is the main driver for overland flow generation at the pasture site during storms with high‐rainfall totals. We infer that the combination of a leaf litter layer and the activation of shallow preferential flow paths resulting in shallow saturation‐excess overland flow are likely the main drivers for plot scale overland flow generation at the forest site. Results from this study contribute to the broader understanding of the delivery of freshwater to streams, which will become increasingly important in the tropics considering freshwater resource scarcity and changing storm intensities.
Temporal trends in childhood cancer survival in Egypt, 2007 to 2017: A large retrospective study of 14 808 children with cancer from the Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt
Authors: Soliman Ranin M. , Elhaddad Alaa , Oke Jason , Eweida Wael , Sidhom Iman , Ahmed Sonia , Abdelrahman Hany , Moussa Emad , Fawzy Mohamed , Zamzam Manal , Zekri Wael , Hafez Hanafy , Sedky Mohamed , Abdalla Amr , Hammad Mahmoud , Elzomor Hossam , Ahmed Sahar , Awad Madeha , Abdelhameed Sayed , Mohsen Enas , Shalaby Lobna , Fouad Heba , Tarek Nourhan , Abouelnaga Sherif , Heneghan Carl
Published: September 2020

Childhood cancer is a priority in Egypt due to large numbers of children with cancer, suboptimal care and insufficient resources. It is difficult to evaluate progress in survival because of paucity of data in National Cancer Registry. In this study, we studied survival rates and trends in survival of the largest available cohort of children with cancer (n = 15 779, aged 0‐18 years) from Egypt between 2007 and 2017, treated at Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt‐(CCHE), representing 40% to 50% of all childhood cancers across Egypt. We estimated 5‐year overall survival (OS) for 14 808 eligible patients using Kaplan‐Meier method, and determined survival trends using Cox regression by single year of diagnosis and by diagnosis periods. We compared age‐standardized rates to international benchmarks in England and the United States, identified cancers with inferior survival and provided recommendations for improvement. Five‐year OS was 72.1% (95% CI 71.3‐72.9) for all cancers combined, and survival trends increased significantly by single year of diagnosis (P < .001) and by calendar periods from 69.6% to 74.2% (P < .0001) between 2007‐2012 and 2013‐2017. Survival trends improved significantly for leukemias, lymphomas, CNS tumors, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma and Ewing Sarcoma. Survival was significantly lower by 9% and 11.2% (P < .001) than England and the United States, respectively. Significantly inferior survival was observed for the majority of cancers. Although survival trends are improving for childhood cancers in Egypt/CCHE, survival is still inferior in high‐income countries. We provide evidence‐based recommendations to improve survival in Egypt by reflecting on current obstacles in care, with further implications on practice and policy.
Immunogenic characteristics of microsatellite instability‐low esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma based on clinicopathological, molecular, immunological and survival analyses
Authors: Imamura Yu , Toihata Tasuku , Haraguchi Ikumi , Ogata Yoko , Takamatsu Manabu , Kuchiba Aya , Tanaka Norio , Gotoh Osamu , Mori Seiichi , Nakashima Yuichiro , Oki Eiji , Mori Masaki , Oda Yoshinao , Taguchi Kenichi , Yamamoto Manabu , Morita Masaru , Yoshida Naoya , Baba Hideo , Mine Shinji , Nunobe Souya , Sano Takeshi , Noda Tetsuo , Watanabe Masayuki
Published: September 2020

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is categorized by mutation frequency: high MSI (MSI‐H), low MSI (MSI‐L) and microsatellite stable (MSS). MSI‐H tumors have a distinct immunogenic phenotype, with immunotherapies using checkpoint inhibitors already approved for the treatment of MSI‐H gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA); this is not observed for MSI‐L or MSS. Here, we tested the hypothesis that MSI‐L tumors are also a distinct phenotype and potentially immunogenic. MSI‐PCR assays (BAT25, BAT26, BAT40, D2S123, D5S346 and D17S250) were performed on 363 Epstein‐Barr virus‐negative, surgically resected esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinoma samples. Tumors were characterized as MSI‐H (≥2 markers), MSI‐L (1 marker) or MSS (0 markers). CD8+ cell counts, PD‐L1 and HER2 expression levels, TP53 mutations, epigenetic alterations and prognostic significance were also examined. All pathological and molecular experiments were conducted using serial, whole‐tumor sections of chemo‐naïve surgical specimens. MSI‐H and MSI‐L were assigned to 28 (7.7%) and 24 (6.6%) cases, respectively. Compared to MSS cases, MSI‐L cases had significantly higher intratumoral CD8+ cell infiltration (P = .048) and favorable EGJ cancer‐specific survival (multivariate hazard ratio = 0.35, 95% CI, 0.12‐0.82; P = .012). MSI‐L tumors were also significantly associated with TP53‐truncating mutations as compared to MSI‐H (P = .009) and MSS (P = .012) cases, and this trend was also observed in GEA data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Indel mutational burden among TCGA MSI‐L tumors was significantly higher than that of MSS tumors (P = .016). These results suggest that MSI‐L tumors may have a distinct tumor phenotype and be potentially immunogenic in EGJ adenocarcinoma.
Collateralized borrowing around the world: Insights from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys
Authors: Fan Yuting , Nguyen Ha , Qian Rong
Published: September 2020

Despite an important role of collateralized borrowing in corporate finance and financial economics, there has been little empirical research that systematically documents the prevalence and correlates of collateralized borrowing across countries. We filled this gap by investigating firms' collateralized borrowing in 131 countries between 2005–2017 using the World Bank Enterprise Surveys. Overall, 77% of loans require collateral, and the median loan‐to‐collateral value is 60%. While small firms and loans from non‐bank financial institutions are less often associated with collateral, when collateral is pledged, the type of collateral assets is strongly correlated with the loan‐to‐value ratio. When more illiquid and indivisible assets such as land and buildings are pledged as collateral, higher collateral value is required.
Model‐Based System Engineering for Life Cycle Development of Digital Twins of Real Estate
Authors: Küsel Kirstin
Published: September 2020

The evolving complexity of today's Smart City challenges requires agile systems that can deliver quick, real‐time insight into as‐built assets to all stakeholders. Cyber‐Physical Systems (CPS) or digital twins hold promise to enable interconnected, data analysis of as‐built assets throughout the lifecycle of the asset. In the real estate industry, a vision is emerging to develop Digital Twins of Real Estate (DTREs) – being dynamic, virtual data models of real‐world assets that aggregate all information on the asset and provide continuous feedback via a single, 3D dashboard. Key technologies in use include Internet of Things (IOT) technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) processes and Machine Learning (ML). A DTRE enables stakeholders to better understand, predict and optimize performance of the real‐world asset throughout its lifecycle.

In practice, most as‐built assets are not in digital, data model format and owners and managers are faced with distributed information sets and analytical tools. ISO 19650 (Part 1 and 2) guides the Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and management processes to deliver data models during the design and build phase. There is no formal process to guide DTRE development and limited, published case studies to demonstrate the business case.

This paper presents a first Model‐Based System Engineering (MBSE) framework for the AEC industry to guide development of DTREs. The framework was compiled by synthesizing the author's experience, the traditional System Engineering (SE) vee diagram, ISO 19650 and reverse engineering available case studies. The paper concludes with a recommendation to develop case studies of different nature to validate the proposed MBSE framework.
A Review of Hurdles to Adopting Industry 4.0 in Developing Countries
Authors: Roodt Jan Hendrik , Koen Hildegarde
Published: September 2020

The world is experiencing the fourth industrial revolution, and developing countries are experiencing it differently than developed countries. Developed countries have an advantage over developing countries in that they adopted industrialisation early, and this created a large gap between the two. Developed countries are not necessarily sustainable. Sustainable development is equally important in both developed and developing countries, but in different ways. Developed and developing countries will try to achieve sustainability development goals in different ways. Developed countries will most likely use the fourth industrial revolution to integrate technology into achieving their goals, while some developing countries might first need to catch up on industrial revolutions that they have skipped. Industrialisation, specifically that of the current revolution, will occur differently in developing countries. This paper describes this and discusses some of the hurdles that might hinder developing countries from adopting Industry 4.0, and develops an initial framework for readiness assessment.
An Energy Poverty Case Study: A Whole Systems Perspective Applied to an Informal Settlement
Authors: Okoye Perpetua I , Lalk Jörg
Published: September 2020

This paper describes the novel application of a systems approach within the context of energy poverty mitigation. This is enriched by using an informal human settlement situated in the Western Cape near Cape Town as case study. A systems approach is used to design and integrate system interfaces within an “energy poverty system” leading to a proposed new System Reinforcing Model (SRM) for Energy Access Sustainability (EAS) in energy‐poor communities. The proposed model identifies interrelated systems and elements, developed as design decisions and system designs grounded in energy‐use patterns and behavior, energy access options, sustainability, socio‐economic, cultural, technical, and environmental issues. The proposed new SRM is then applied to a typical energy‐poor community where the model's significance is effectively demonstrated. Based on its participatory sensitivity, the model reveals system parts instigating energy poverty and limiting energy access.
General Modeling Language Supporting Model Transformations of MBSE (Part 2)
Authors: Guo Jiangmin , Wang Guoxin , Lu Jinzhi , Ma Junda , Törngren Martin
Published: September 2020

With the increasing complexity of systems, model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) has attracted increasing attention in the industry. MBSE formalizes the whole lifecycles of products using models based on systems engineering aiming to improve the development efficiency of complex systems. Traditionally, MBSE approaches require many modeling languages in each phase of the entire lifecycle. Different syntax between such languages leads to difficulty in supporting an integrated description of transformations between models and data. Thus, it is challenged to utilize a general language to describe model formalism and transformation for architecture‐driven technology and code generation in one MBSE tool. In this paper, a multi‐architecture modeling language called Karma (introduced in Paper Part 1) is proposed to support the model transformations including architecture‐driven technology and code generation implementations in one modeling tool. Finally, from one auto‐braking case of an autonomous‐driving system, we find the availability of the Karma language supporting architecture‐driven technology and code generation is verified.
Envisioning Future Systems Engineering Principles Through a Transdisciplinary Lens
Authors: Watson Michael , Madni Azad , Mesmer Bryan , McKinney Dorothy
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this paper is to examine systems engineering principles from a transdisciplinary perspective. The motivation for this investigation was the question “What might change in the principles captured by the INCOSE Principles team (Watson, et al, 2019) as transdisciplinary systems engineering becomes the norm?” The revised INCOSE definition of systems engineering (INCOSE 2019) recognizes transdisciplinarity as an essential part of systems engineering going forward. Looking back through millennia of engineering, it is possible to identify aspects of the practice of engineering systems which used some transdisciplinary approaches, but only recently have transdisciplinary systems engineering practices been systematically characterized and described in depth. This paper identifies areas in the understanding of systems engineering principles which can be revised to reflect transdisciplinary systems engineering more effectively. Hopefully, this will help engineering professionals implement systems engineering principles to more effectively engineer systems to meet the needs of stakeholders more cost‐effectively, with less conflict among stakeholders.
Revelation of ESIPT mechanism for the novel fluorescent system HNIBT in toluene and methanol solvents: A TDDFT study
Authors: Li Junyu , Feng Shiquan , Feng Xuechao , Yang Dapeng
Published: September 2020

In this work, we devote to explore excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) behavior for a novel fluorescent molecule naphthalimide‐based 2‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐benzothiazole (HNIBT) [New J. Chem. 2019, 43, 9152.] in toluene and methanol (MeOH) solvents. Exploring weak interactions, stable HNIBT‐enol, and HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol complex can be found in S0 state via TDDFT/B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level. Given photoexcitation, intramolecular hydrogen bond O1H2···N3 of HNIBT‐enol and HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol is dramatically enhanced, which offers impetus for facilitates ESIPT reaction. After repeated comparisons, we verify the unavailability of intermolecular hydrogen bonding effects between HNIBT‐enol and MeOH molecules. In view of excitation, HOMO (π) → LUMO (π*) transition and the changes of electronical densities indeed impulse ESIPT tendency. Via constructing potential energy curves (PECs), for both HNIBT‐enol and HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol complex, the ESIPT could only occur along with intramolecular hydrogen bond O1H2···N3. Through comparison, the potential barrier falls from 4.124 kcal/mol (HNIBT‐enol) to 2.132 kcal/mol (HNIBT‐MeOH‐enol). Therefore, we confirm that the ESIPT of the HNIBT system happens more easily in the MeOH solvent compared with the toluene solvent.
The effect of mindful attention training for pain modulation capacity: Exploring the mindfulness–pain link
Authors: Tsur Noga , Defrin Ruth , Haller Chiara S. , Bercovitz Katherine , Langer Ellen J.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Mindfulness has been shown to be beneficial for chronic pain. The underlying mechanisms of the mindfulness–pain link, however, are yet to be established. Particularly, the effects of mindfulness on pain modulation, which is shown to be dysfunctional among chronic pain patients, barely has been tested. This study investigated whether a short mindful attention training based on Langerian mindfulness mitigates reductions in pain modulation.

Method

Systemic quantitative‐somatosensory testing of conditioned pain modulation (CPM) was conducted in 60 undergraduates, who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Pain‐specific mindful attention training; (2) nonspecific mindful attention training; and (3) no mindful attention training. CPM was tested before and after the intervention.

Results

As hypothesized, a reduction in CPM magnitude was observed only in the control group, whereas this reduction was abolished in the two mindfulness groups.

Conclusions

Langerian mindfulness may mitigate pain modulation reduction as observed in chronic pain, thus shedding light on its potential advantages.
Melatonin alleviates LPS‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in spermatogonial stem cells
Authors: Yang Donghui , Wei Yudong , Lu Qizhong , Qin Dezhe , Zhang Mengfei , Du Xiaomin , Xu Wenjing , Yu Xiuwei , He Chen , Li Na , Peng Sha , Li Guangpeng , Hua Jinlian
Published: September 2020

Orchitis is one of the leading causes of male animal infertility and is associated with inflammatory reactions caused by the bacterium. It has been reported that there is a mutual coupling effect between endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and inflammatory response. Our studies showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) could cause testicular damages, apoptosis, ERS, and inflammatory responses in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs); ERS‐related apoptosis proteins were activated and the expression of ERS genes was significantly upregulated; meanwhile, the expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 and inflammation factors was apparently increased with LPS treatment. Moreover, melatonin (MEL) could rescue testicular damage, and significantly inhibited the expression of ERS‐related apoptosis genes, ERS markers, and inflammatory factors in SSCs and MEL played repairing and anti‐infection roles in LPS‐induced testicular damage. Therefore, MEL may be used as a drug to prevent and control bacterial infections in male reproductive systems. However, the specific molecular mechanism of MEL to resist ERS and inflammatory response remains to be further studied.
Modeling the kinetics of manure‐borne fecal indicator removal in runoff
Authors: Stocker M. D. , Hill R. L. , Pachepsky Y. A.
Published: October 2020

Several manure‐borne microorganism removal models have been developed to provide accurate estimations of the number of microorganisms removed from manure or manured soils undergoing rainfall. It has been commonly assumed that these models perform equally well when used to simulate microbe removal in runoff from manures of different consistency and levels of weathering. The objectives of this work were (a) to observe kinetics of the removal of Escherichia coli and enterococci with runoff for two different manure consistencies and three manure weathering durations, and (b) to compare performance of the log‐linear, Vadas–Kleinman–Sharpley, and Bradford–Shijven models in simulation of the observed kinetics. Liquid and solid dairy manure were applied to grassed soil boxes that received simulated rainfall immediately after application and subsequently at 1 and 2 wk. Runoff samples were collected for 1 h at increasing time intervals during each event. Only the effective rainfall depth at the start of runoff was significantly affected by manure consistency (p = .033), whereas other parameters were not (p > .05). Substantial differences in microorganism removal kinetics during the initial, 1‐, and 2‐wk rainfall events were manifested by the significant (p < .05) effect of the degree of manure weathering in about 70% of cases. The log‐linear model produced the largest fitting error especially during the initial rainfall event. The Vadas–Kleinman–Sharpley model and the Bradford–Schijven model were comparable in accuracy for all events. The latter model was slightly more accurate, and the former model had better expressed dependencies of parameter values on manure weathering. Ignoring manure weathering may lead to incorrect parameterization of manure removal models.
The maximum number of maximum dissociation sets in trees
Authors: Tu Jianhua , Zhang Zhipeng , Shi Yongtang
Published: September 2020

A subset of vertices is a maximum independent set if no two of the vertices are adjacent and the subset has maximum cardinality. A subset of vertices is called a maximum dissociation set if it induces a subgraph with vertex degree at most 1, and the subset has maximum cardinality. Zito proved that the maximum number of maximum independent sets of a tree of order is if is odd, and if is even and also characterized all extremal trees with the most maximum independent sets, which solved a question posed by Wilf. Inspired by the results of Zito, in this paper, by establishing four structure theorems and a result of ‐König–Egerváry graph, we show that the maximum number of maximum dissociation sets in a tree of order is
and also give complete structural descriptions of all extremal trees on which these maxima are achieved.
The feasibility of recruiting and retaining men who have sex with men and transgender women in a multinational prospective HIV prevention research cohort study in sub‐Saharan Africa (HPTN 075)
Authors: Sandfort Theodorus GM , L Hamilton Erica , Marais Anita , Guo Xu , Sugarman Jeremy , Chen Ying Q , Cummings Vanessa , Dadabhai Sufia , Dominguez Karen , Panchia Ravindre , Schnabel David , Zulu Fatima , Reynolds Doerieyah , Radebe Oscar , Mbeda Calvin , Kamba Dunker , Kanyemba Brian , Ogendo Arthur , Stirratt Michael , Chege Wairimu , Lucas Jonathan , Fawzy Maria , McKinstry Laura A , Eshleman Susan H
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) are profoundly affected by HIV with high HIV prevalence and incidence. This population also faces strong social stigma and legal barriers, potentially impeding participation in research. To date, few multi‐country longitudinal HIV research studies with MSM/TGW have been conducted in SSA. Primary objective of the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 075 study was to assess feasibility of recruiting and retaining a multinational prospective cohort of MSM/TGW in SSA for HIV prevention research.

Methods

HPTN 075, conducted from 2015 to 2017, was designed to enroll 400 MSM/TGW at four sites in SSA (100 per site: Kisumu, Kenya; Blantyre, Malawi; Cape Town, South Africa; and Soweto, South Africa). The number of HIV‐positive persons was capped at 20 per site; HIV‐positive persons already in care were excluded from participation. The one‐year study included five biobehavioural assessments. Community‐based input and risk mitigation protocols were included in study design and conduct.

Results

Of 624 persons screened, 401 were enrolled. One in five participants was classified as transgender. Main reasons for ineligibility included: (a) being HIV positive after the cap was reached (29.6%); (b) not reporting anal intercourse with a man in the preceding three months (20.6%); and (c) being HIV positive and already in care (17.5%). Five (1.2%) participants died during the study (unrelated to study participation). 92.9% of the eligible participants (368/396) completed the final study visit and 86.1% participated in all visits. The main, overlapping reasons for early termination included being (a) unable to adhere to the visit schedule, predominantly because of relocation (46.4%), and (b) unable to contact the participant (32.1%). Participants reported strong motivation to participate and few participation barriers. Four participants reported social harms (loss of confidentiality and sexual harassment by study staff) that were successfully addressed.

Conclusions

HPTN 075 successfully enrolled a multinational sample of MSM/TGW in SSA in a prospective HIV prevention research study with a high retention rate and few documented social harms. This supports the feasibility of conducting large‐scale research trials in this population to address its urgent, unmet HIV prevention needs.
Online socializing among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Nairobi and Johannesburg and implications for public health‐related research and health promotion: an analysis of qualitative and respondent‐driven sampling survey data
Authors: Fearon Elizabeth , Bourne Adam , Tenza Siyanda , Palanee‐Phillips Thesla , Kabuti Rhoda , Weatherburn Peter , Nutland Will , Kimani Joshua , Smith Adrian D
Published: October 2020

Introduction

There is little published literature about gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals (MSM and TG)’s use of social media in sub‐Saharan Africa, despite repressive social and/or criminalizing contexts that limit access to physical HIV prevention. We sought to describe MSM and TG’s online socializing in Nairobi and Johannesburg, identifying the characteristics of those socializing online and those not, in order to inform the development of research and health promotion in online environments.

Methods

Respondent‐driven sampling surveys were conducted in 2017 in Nairobi (n = 618) and Johannesburg (n = 301) with those reporting current male gender identity or male sex assigned at birth and sex with a man in the last 12 months. Online socializing patterns, sociodemographic, sexual behaviour and HIV‐testing data were collected. We examined associations between social media use and sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviours among all, and only those HIV‐uninfected, using logistic regression. Analyses were RDS‐II weighted. Thirty qualitative interviews were conducted with MSM and TG in each city, which examined the broader context of and motivations for social media use.

Results

Most MSM and TG had used social media to socialize with MSM in the last month (60% Johannesburg, 71% Nairobi), mostly using generic platforms (e.g. Facebook), but also gay‐specific (e.g. Grindr). HIV‐uninfected MSM and TG reporting riskier recent sexual behaviours had raised odds of social media use in Nairobi, including receptive anal intercourse (adjusted OR = 2.15, p = 0.006), buying (aOR = 2.24, p = 0.015) and selling sex with men (aOR = 2.17, p = 0.004). Evidence for these associations was weaker in Johannesburg, though socializing online was associated with condomless anal intercourse (aOR = 3.67, p = 0.003) and active syphilis (aOR = 13.50, p = 0.016). Qualitative findings indicated that while online socializing can limit risk of harm inherent in face‐to‐face interactions, novel challenges were introduced, including context collapse and a fear of blackmail.

Conclusions

Most MSM and TG in these cities socialize online regularly. Users reported HIV acquisition risk behaviours, yet this space is not fully utilized for sexual health promotion and research engagement. Effective, safe and acceptable means of using online channels to engage with MSM/TG that account for MSM and TG’s strategies and concerns for managing online security should now be explored, as complements or alternatives to existing outreach.
HIV infection and engagement in HIV care cascade among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Kigali, Rwanda: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Twahirwa Rwema Jean Olivier , Lyons Carrie E , Herbst Sara , Liestman Benjamin , Nyombayire Julien , Ketende Sosthenes , Mazzei Amelia , Olawore Oluwasolape , Nsanzimana Sabin , Mugwaneza Placidie , Kagaba Aflodis , Sullivan Patrick S , Allen Susan , Karita Etienne , Baral Stefan D
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Given intersecting biological, network and structural risks, men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) consistently have a high burden of HIV. Although MSM are a key population in Rwanda, there are limited epidemiologic data to guide programming. This study aimed to characterize HIV prevalence and care cascade among MSM and TGW in Kigali.

Methods

MSM and TGW ≥ 18 years were recruited using respondent‐driven sampling (RDS) from March–August 2018 in Kigali. Participants underwent a structured interview including measures of individual, network and structural determinants. HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI) including syphilis, Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) were tested. Viral load was measured for MSM living with HIV. Robust Poisson regression was used to characterize the determinants of HIV infection and engagement in the HIV treatment cascade.

Results

A total of 736 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 27 years (range:18 to 68) and 14% (106) were TGW. HIV prevalence was 10% (RDS‐adjusted: 9.2% (95% CI: 6.4 to 12.1)). Unadjusted prevalence of any STI was 20% (147); syphilis: 5.7% (42); CT: 9.1% (67) and NG: 8.8% (65). Anticipated (41%), perceived (36%) and enacted stigmas (45%) were common and higher among TGW (p < 0.001). In multivariable RDS adjusted analysis, higher age (aPR: 1.08 (95% CI: 1.05 to 1.12)) and ever having sex with women (aPR: 3.39 (95% CI: 1.31 to 8.72)) were positively associated with prevalent HIV. Being circumcised (aPR: 0.52 (95% CI: 0.28 to 0.9)) was negatively associated with prevalent HIV infection.

Overall, 61% (45/74) of respondents reported knowing their HIV‐positive status. Among these, 98% (44/45) reported antiretroviral therapy use (ART); 75% (33/44) were virally suppressed using a cut‐off of <200 copies/mL. Of the 29 participants who did not report any previous HIV diagnosis or ART use, 38% (11/29) were virally suppressed. Cumulatively, 59% (44/74) of all participants living with HIV were virally suppressed.

Conclusions

These data show a high burden of HIV among MSM/TGW in Kigali, Rwanda. Bisexual concurrency was common and associated with prevalent HIV infection, demonstrating the need of comprehensive screening for all sexual practices and preferences in the provision of comprehensive HIV prevention services in Rwanda. Viral suppression was below the UNAIDS target suggesting poor adherence and potential ART resistance. There is a need for adherence support, screening for primary and secondary ART resistance and stigma mitigation interventions to optimize HIV‐related outcomes for MSM in Rwanda.
Normal reference ranges for urinary δ‐aminolevulinic acid and porphobilinogen levels
Authors: Agarwal Sagar , Habtemarium Bahru , Xu Yuanxin , Simon Amy R. , Kim Jae B. , Robbie Gabriel J.
Published: October 2020

Acute hepatic porphyria (AHP) is a family of rare, serious, and potentially life‐threatening metabolic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding enzymes involved in hepatic heme biosynthesis. AHP is characterized by accumulation of neurotoxic heme intermediates, δ‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA), and porphobilinogen (PBG), which are thought to be causal for the disease manifestations. Novel therapeutic treatments such as givosiran, an RNA interference therapeutic that was recently approved for treatment of adults with AHP, are focused on reducing the levels of ALA and PBG in patients toward levels observed in a healthy population. While there are two published reports on the distribution of urinary ALA and PBG levels in healthy subjects, these lacked the required details to enable the calculation of reference limits for ALA and PBG. Therefore, urinary ALA and PBG levels were quantified in 150 healthy subjects using a validated liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method that is highly sensitive, specific, accurate, and reproducible. These data were used to establish the upper limit of normal (ULN) values for ALA and PBG as 1.47 and 0.137 mmol/mol Cr, respectively. Relative to these ULN values, baseline urinary ALA and PBG levels in AHP patients were found to be 9.3‐ to 12‐fold, and 238‐ to 336‐fold higher, respectively. Results from this study can serve as a guide to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions in lowering ALA and PBG.
Evidence of central nervous system infection and neuroinvasive routes, as well as neurological involvement, in the lethality of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Liu Jia‐Mei , Tan Bai‐Hong , Wu Shuang , Gui Yue , Suo Jia‐Le , Li Yan‐Chao
Published: October 2020

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has become a significant and urgent threat to global health. This review provided strong support for central nervous system (CNS) infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 and shed light on the neurological mechanism underlying the lethality of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Among the published data, only 1.28% COVID‐19 patients who underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests were positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 in CSF. However, this does not mean the absence of CNS infection in most COVID‐19 patients because postmortem studies revealed that some patients with CNS infection showed negative results in CSF tests for SARS‐CoV‐2. Among 20 neuropathological studies reported so far, SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in the brain of 58 cases in nine studies, and three studies have provided sufficient details on the CNS infection in COVID‐19 patients. Almost all in vitro and in vivo experiments support the neuroinvasive potential of SARS‐CoV‐2. In infected animals, SARS‐CoV‐2 was found within neurons in different brain areas with a wide spectrum of neuropathology, consistent with the reported clinical symptoms in COVID‐19 patients. Several lines of evidence indicate that SARS‐CoV‐2 used the hematopoietic route to enter the CNS. But more evidence supports the trans‐neuronal hypothesis. SARS‐CoV‐2 has been found to invade the brain via the olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal pathways, especially at the early stage of infection. Severe COVID‐19 patients with neurological deficits are at a higher risk of mortality, and only the infected animals showing neurological symptoms became dead, suggesting that neurological involvement may be one cause of death.
Beyond depletion: Daily self‐control motivation as an explanation of self‐control failure at work
Authors: Wehrt Wilken , Casper Anne , Sonnentag Sabine
Published: October 2020

The organizational self‐control literature usually applies resource perspectives that explain self‐control failure at work by depletion of self‐control resources. However, these perspectives neglect the role of self‐control motivation. On a daily level, we examine several self‐control aspects (resources, motivation, demands, and effort) as predictors of a manifestation of self‐control failure at work, namely, daily counterproductive work behavior toward the organization (CWB‐O). Additionally, we investigate self‐control effort as a mechanism predicting the depletion of self‐control resources throughout the day. We analyzed data from 155 employees in a 2‐week diary study with 2 daily measurement points. Multilevel path modeling showed that self‐control motivation and self‐control demands, but not self‐control resource depletion, predicted self‐control effort. There was an indirect effect from self‐control motivation on CWB‐O via self‐control effort but no indirect effect from self‐control demands on self‐control resource depletion throughout the day via self‐control effort. Findings suggest that self‐control motivation is a crucial factor explaining self‐control failure at work and cast further doubt on the idea that exerted self‐control effort is the only mechanism leading to self‐control resource depletion.