bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Absence of BRAFV600E immunohistochemical expression in sporadic odontogenic keratocyst, syndromic odontogenic keratocyst and orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst
Authors: Jain Kejal S. , Bodhankar Kshitija , Desai Rajiv S. , Bansal Shivani , Shirsat Pankaj , Prasad Pooja , Shah Aakruti
Published: June 2020

Background

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a unique developmental odontogenic cyst that has the potential to behave aggressively and is associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst (OOC) is a distinct, uncommon odontogenic cyst. It significantly differs from OKC not only in its epithelial lining but also in proliferating kinetics, clinical, immunohistochemical and biological behaviour. BRAF gene located on chromosome 7q34 encodes a cytoplasmic serine‐threonine kinase. Various immunohistochemical studies have been conducted to express the BRAFV600E gene mutation in various odontogenic cyst and tumours with varying results. The present study was conducted to evaluate the possible role of BRAFV600E in the pathogenesis of sporadic OKC, syndromic OKC and OOC by immunohistochemistry.

Methods

Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks of 15 diagnosed cases each of sporadic OKC, syndromic OKC and OOC were retrieved from the archives of Department of Oral Pathology and subjected to immunohistochemical staining for the detection of BRAFV600E mutation using a novel rabbit monoclonal antibody clone RM8.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis showed complete absence of BRAFV600E mutation in all cases of sporadic OKC, syndromic OKC and OOC.

Conclusion

The negative immunohistochemical expression of BRAFV600E in sporadic OKC, syndromic OKC and OOC suggests that BRAFV600E plays no role in the pathogenesis of sporadic OKC, syndromic OKC and OOC.
Regulating appetite in broilers for improving body and muscle development – A review
Authors: te Pas Marinus F. W. , Borg Randy , Buddiger Nico J. H. , Wood Benjamin J. , Rebel Johanna M. J. , van Krimpen Marinus M. , Calus Mario P. L. , Park Jong‐Eun , Schokker Dirkjan
Published: June 2020

Appetite is the desire for feed and water and the voluntary intake of feed and is an important regulator of livestock productivity and animal health. Economic traits such as growth rate and muscle development (meat deposition) in broilers are directly correlated to appetite. Factors that may influence appetite include environmental factors, such as stress and temperature variation, and animal‐specific factors, such as learning period, eating capacity and preferences. Feed preferences have been reported to be determined in early life, and this period is important in broilers due to their fast growth and relatively short growth trajectories. This may be of importance when contemplating the use of more circular and sustainable feeds and the optimization of appetite for these feeds. The objective of this review was to review the biological mechanisms underlying appetite using data from human, animal and bird models and to consider the option for modulating appetite particularly as it relates to broiler chickens.
Milk urea nitrogen concentration is higher in Brown Swiss than in Holstein dairy cows despite identical feeding
Authors: Kessler Evelyne C. , Bruckmaier Rupert M. , Gross Josef J.
Published: June 2020

Milk urea nitrogen (MUN) content is closely related to blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration and reflects the balance of dietary crude protein and energy supply for ruminal microbial metabolism. The present study investigated whether the higher MUN content in Brown Swiss (BSW) compared with Holstein (HOL) cows is related to milk production and feeding conditions. Therefore, we evaluated test‐day records of three consecutive official milk recordings from 86 BSW and 200 HOL cows kept on the same farm under identical feeding and management conditions. In addition, the relationships between BUN and MUN assessed either by an enzymatic method or by mid‐infrared spectroscopy were analysed. For the second objective, milk and blood samples (1,112 samples each) were collected in parallel from day 5 until day 150 of lactation from 141 dairy cows housed at different farms. Concentrations of MUN determined either enzymatically (MUNENZ) or by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR; MUNIR) were regressed on the BUN concentrations of the concomitantly obtained blood samples. Both MUNIR and MUNENZ were well correlated with BUN (r = .93 and .89 respectively). Concentration of MUN was higher in BSW compared with HOL independently of lactational stage or parity number (p < .0001). Protein and fat content were higher in BSW than in HOL (p < .05). Primiparous cows had lower milk yield and ECM (p < .001 for BSW, p < .0001 for HOL) than multiparous in both breeds. Multiparous BSW had a similar milk production than primiparous HOL (p = .13). In conclusion, BSW cows have higher MUN than HOL when kept under identical feeding and management conditions. The higher MUN in BSW compared with HOL cows is not related to milk production and therefore rather genetically determined.
How Buyers' Attitudes Toward Supplier Diversity Affect Their Expenditures with Ethnic Minority Businesses
Authors: Blount Ian , Li Mingxiang
Published: June 2020

Using data collected from 277 buyers employed at large purchasing organizations (LPOs) in the U.S. and U.K., this study investigates factors that might influence their willingness to procure goods and services from ethnic minority businesses (EMBs). The social capital literature is used to develop hypotheses concerning the cognitive, structural, and relational dimensions that may play roles in decisions to buy from minority firms. Subsequently, modern discrimination theory is employed to provide inductive insights into how buyers' attitudes toward supplier diversity mediate the effects of social capital on their procurement activities with EMBs. The results of multiple regression analysis suggest that in both the U.S. and U.K., positive social capital as perceived by the buyers has a direct, significant relationship with their expenditures with EMBs. The results also reveal that in both countries, buyers' attitudes toward supplier diversity mediate the relationship. Interestingly, although the U.S. originated the concept of supplier diversity, our research uncovers that U.K. LPO buyers have greater expenditures with their EMBs. Based on these findings, this research illustrates how strategic corporate social responsibility initiatives set forth by LPOs may be impacted by their buyers' social relationships with EMBs and their attitudes toward supplier diversity.
Suspected congenital hyperinsulinism in a Shiba Inu dog
Authors: Cook Simon , McKenna Myles , Glanemann Barbara , Sandhu Ranbir , Scudder Chris
Published: June 2020

A 3‐month‐old male intact Shiba Inu dog was evaluated for a seizure disorder initially deemed idiopathic in origin. Seizure frequency remained unchanged despite therapeutic serum phenobarbital concentration and use of levetiracetam. The dog was documented to be markedly hypoglycemic during a seizure episode on reevaluation at 6 months of age. Serum insulin concentrations during hypoglycemia were 41 U/μL (reference range, 10‐29 U/μL). The dog was transitioned to 4 times per day feeding, diazoxide was started at 3.5 mg/kg PO q8h, and antiepileptic drugs were discontinued. No clinically relevant abnormalities were identified on bicavitary arterial and venous phase contrast computed tomographic imaging. The dog remained seizure‐free and clinically normal at 3 years of age while receiving 5.5 mg/kg diazoxide PO q12h and twice daily feeding. Seizures later occurred approximately twice per year and after exertion, with or without vomiting of a diazoxide dose. Blood glucose curves and interstitial glucose monitoring were used to titrate diazoxide dose and dosing interval. Congenital hyperinsulinism is well recognized in people but has not been reported in veterinary medicine.
Economics of U.S. catfish farming practices: Profitability, economies of size, and liquidity
Authors: Kumar Ganesh , Engle Carole , Hegde Shraddha , van Senten Jonathan
Published: June 2020

Evolution of the U.S, catfish industry, forged by dynamic market forces, has resulted in the development of an array of farming practices. This comparative economic study was developed with data from 325 ponds on 38 commercial catfish farms (Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi) and provides concurrent estimates of the cost of production, profitability, and indicators of farm liquidity for the most common catfish growout strategies. Detailed enterprise budgets were developed for nine different catfish production strategies and analyzed on three different farm scales (32, 124, and 592 ha). Profitability differed across catfish farming practices. The split‐pond system using hybrid catfish was the least‐cost production strategy ($1.97/kg), followed by the multiple‐batch system employing channel catfish with increased aeration rates and intensively aerated ponds using hybrid catfish. Long‐term profitability of catfish farming practices increased with increases in farm size. Although seven of the nine production strategies discussed here were profitable in the long‐run on medium (124‐ha) and large (592‐ha) catfish farms, only split and intensively aerated ponds (hybrid catfish and multiple‐batch production with channel catfish with increased aeration rates) were profitable in the long‐run on small farms (32‐ha). Low‐intensity strategies involving channel catfish in single‐ or multiple‐batch systems were not profitable on any scale. High‐yielding strategies resulted in an increased cash flow coverage ratio and decreased debt‐servicing ratios, indicating lower liquidity risk. Economies of scale were evident throughout the analysis but stemmed from two different effects: (a) intensification of production in individual ponds; and (b) larger farm size. Changes in cost structures and economic conditions have changed the degree of profitability of farming practices. A number of previously profitable practices are no longer profitable. Newer, split pond, and intensively aerated farming practices were profitable but require greater attention to cost efficiencies.
Targeting extracellular vesicles‐mediated hepatic inflammation as a therapeutic strategy in liver diseases
Authors: Yang Dakai , Liu Jing
Published: June 2020

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are nano‐ to micro‐sized membranous vesicles that can be produced by normal and diseased cells. As carriers of biologically active molecules including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, EVs mediate cell‐to‐cell communication and execute diverse functions by delivering their cargoes to specific cell types. Hepatic inflammation caused by virus infection, autoimmunity and malignancy is a common driver of progressive liver fibrosis and permanent liver damage. Emerging evidence has shown that EVs‐mediated inflammation as critical player in the progression of liver diseases since they shuttle within the liver as well as between other tissues with inflammatory signals. Therefore, targeting inflammatory EVs could represent a potential therapeutic strategy in liver diseases. Moreover, EVs are emerging as a promising tool for intracellular delivery of therapeutic nucleic acid. In this review, we will discuss not only recent advances on the role of EVs in mediating hepatic inflammation and present strategies for targeted therapy on the context of liver diseases but also the challenging questions that need to be answered in the field.
Plasma metabolomic fingerprint of advanced cirrhosis stages among HIV/HCV‐coinfected and HCV‐monoinfected patients
Authors: Salgüero Sergio , Rojo David , Berenguer Juan , González‐García Juan , Fernández‐Rodríguez Amanda , Brochado‐Kith Oscar , Díez Cristina , Hontañon Victor , Virseda‐Berdices Ana , Martínez Javier , Ibañez‐Samaniego Luis , Llop‐Herrera Elba , Barbas Coral , Resino Salvador , Jiménez‐Sousa María A. ,   the Escorial Study Group
Published: June 2020

Background & Aims

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cirrhosis induce metabolic disorders. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association of plasma metabolites with Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) score and hepatic decompensation in HIV/HCV‐coinfected and HCV‐monoinfected patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in 62 HIV/HCV‐coinfected and 28 HCV‐monoinfected patients. Metabolomics analysis was performed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The statistical association analysis was performed by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) and generalized linear model (GLM) with binomial distribution (to analyse HIV coinfection, high alcohol intake, treatment with statins, previous HCV therapy failure and decompensation) and ordinal logistic regression (OLR) models to analyse different stages of cirrhosis (CTP score).

Results

The statistical analysis identified plasma metabolites associated with HIV coinfection, high alcohol intake, CTP score and hepatic decompensation. Overall, fatty acids, bile acids, aromatic and sulphur amino acids, butyrate derivatives, oxidized phospholipids, energy‐related metabolites and bacterial fermentation‐related metabolites were increased in more advanced cirrhosis stages; while lysophosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylethanolamines, branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) and metabolites of tricarboxylic acid cycle, among others, were decreased in more advanced cirrhosis. Most of the significant metabolites displayed a similar trend after stratifying for HIV/HCV‐ and HCV‐infected patients. Glycolic acid, LPC (16:0) and taurocholic acid had high accuracy for discriminating patients according to decompensated cirrhosis (CTP ≥ 7).

Conclusion

Altered plasma metabolomic profile was associated with advanced stages of cirrhosis in HIV/HCV‐coinfected and HCV‐monoinfected patients.
The molecular basis of venom resistance in a rattlesnake‐squirrel predator‐prey system
Authors: Gibbs H. Lisle , Sanz Libia , Pérez Alicia , Ochoa Alexander , Hassinger Alyssa T.B. , Holding Matthew L. , Calvete Juan J.
Published: June 2020

Understanding how interspecific interactions mould the molecular basis of adaptations in coevolving species is a long‐sought goal of evolutionary biology. Venom in predators and venom resistance proteins in prey are coevolving molecular phenotypes, and while venoms are highly complex mixtures it is unclear if prey respond with equally complex resistance traits. Here, we use a novel molecular methodology based on protein affinity columns to capture and identify candidate blood serum resistance proteins (“venom interactive proteins” [VIPs]) in California Ground Squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) that interact with venom proteins from their main predator, Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus o. oreganus). This assay showed that serum‐based resistance is both population‐ and species‐specific, with serum proteins from ground squirrels showing higher binding affinities for venom proteins of local snakes compared to allopatric individuals. Venom protein specificity assays identified numerous and diverse candidate prey resistance VIPs but also potential targets of venom in prey tissues. Many specific VIPs bind to multiple snake venom proteins and, conversely, single venom proteins bind multiple VIPs, demonstrating that a portion of the squirrel blood serum “resistome” involves broad‐based inhibition of nonself proteins and suggests that resistance involves a toxin scavenging mechanism. Analyses of rates of evolution of VIP protein homologues in related mammals show that most of these proteins evolve under purifying selection possibly due to molecular constraints that limit the evolutionary responses of prey to rapidly evolving snake venom proteins. Our method represents a general approach to identify specific proteins involved in co‐evolutionary interactions between species at the molecular level.
A protein phosphorylation module patterns the Bacillus subtilis spore outer coat
Authors: Freitas Carolina , Plannic Jarnaja , Isticato Rachele , Pelosi Assunta , Zilhão Rita , Serrano Mónica , Baccigalupi Loredana , Ricca Ezio , Elsholz Alexander K. W. , Losick Richard , O. Henriques Adriano
Published: June 2020

Assembly of the Bacillus subtilis spore coat involves over 80 proteins which self‐organize into a basal layer, a lamellar inner coat, a striated electrodense outer coat and a more external crust. CotB is an abundant component of the outer coat. The C‐terminal moiety of CotB, SKRB, formed by serine‐rich repeats, is polyphosphorylated by the Ser/Thr kinase CotH. We show that another coat protein, CotG, with a central serine‐repeat region, SKRG, interacts with the C‐terminal moiety of CotB and promotes its phosphorylation by CotH in vivo and in a heterologous system. CotG itself is phosphorylated by CotH but phosphorylation is enhanced in the absence of CotB. Spores of a strain producing an inactive form of CotH, like those formed by a cotG deletion mutant, lack the pattern of electrondense outer coat striations, but retain the crust. In contrast, deletion of the SKRB region, has no major impact on outer coat structure. Thus, phosphorylation of CotG by CotH is a key factor establishing the structure of the outer coat. The presence of the cotB/cotH/cotG cluster in several species closely related to B. subtilis hints at the importance of this protein phosphorylation module in the morphogenesis of the spore surface layers.
PuHox52‐mediated hierarchical multilayered gene regulatory network promotes adventitious root formation inPopulus ussuriensis
Authors: Wei Ming , Liu Quangang , Wang Zhanchao , Yang Jingli , Li Wenlong , Chen Yingxi , Lu Han , Nie Jinfu , Liu Baoguang , Lv Kaiwen , Mao Xuliang , Chen Su , Sanders Jennifer , Wei Hairong , Li Chenghao
Published: June 2020

Adventitious root (AR) formation is critically important in vegetative propagation through cuttings in some plants, especially woody species. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive.

Here, we report the identification of a poplar homeobox gene,PuHox52, which was induced rapidly (within 15 min) at the basal ends of stems upon cutting and played a key regulatory role in adventitious rooting. We demonstrated that overexpression ofPuHox52significantly increased the number of ARs while suppression ofPuHox52had the opposite effect.

A multilayered hierarchical gene regulatory network (ML‐hGRN) mediated by PuHox52 was reverse‐engineered and demonstrated to govern AR formation. PuHox52 regulated AR formation through upregulation of nine hub regulators, including a jasmonate signaling pathway gene,PuMYC2, and an auxin signaling pathway gene,PuAGL12. We also identified coherent type 4 feed‐forward loops within this ML‐hGRN; PuHox52 repressedPuHDA9, which encodes a histone deacetylase, and led to an increase in acetylation and presumably expression of three hub regulators,PuWRKY51,PuLBD21andPuIAA7.

Our results indicate that the ML‐hGRN mediated by PuHox52 governs AR formation at the basal ends of stem cuttings from poplar trees.
Evolutionary‐adaptive and nonadaptive causes of infant attack/desertion in mammals: Toward a systematic classification of child maltreatment
Authors: Kuroda Kumi O. , Shiraishi Yuko , Shinozuka Kazutaka
Published: June 2020

Behaviors comparable to human child maltreatment are observed widely among mammals, in which parental care is mandatory for offspring survival. This article first reviews the recent findings on the neurobiological mechanisms for nurturing (infant caregiving) behaviors in mammals. Then the major causes of attack/desertion toward infants (conspecific young) in nonhuman mammals are classified into five categories. Three of the categories are ‘adaptive’ in terms of reproductive fitness: (i) attack/desertion toward non‐offspring; (ii) attack/desertion toward biological offspring with low reproductive value; and (iii) attack/desertion toward biological offspring under unfavorable environments. The other two are nonadaptive failures of nurturing motivation, induced by: (iv) caregivers’ inexperience; or (v) dysfunction in caregivers’ brain mechanisms required for nurturing behavior. The proposed framework covering both adaptive and nonadaptive factors comprehensively classifies the varieties of mammalian infant maltreatment cases and will support the future development of tailored preventive measures for each human case. Also included are remarks that are relevant to interpretation of available animal data to humans: (1) any kind of child abuse/neglect is not justified in modern human societies, even if it is widely observed and regarded as adaptive in nonhuman animals from the viewpoint of evolutionary biology; (2) group‐level characteristics cannot be generalized to individuals; and (3) risk factors are neither deterministic nor irreversible.
TLR4 agonist protects against Trypanosoma cruzi acute lethal infection by decreasing cardiac parasite burdens
Authors: Villanueva‐Lizama Liliana E. , Cruz‐Chan Julio V. , Versteeg Leroy , Teh‐Poot Christian F. , Hoffman Kristyn , Kendricks April , Keegan Brian , Pollet Jeroen , Gusovsky Fabian , Hotez Peter J. , Bottazzi Maria Elena , Jones Kathryn M.
Published: June 2020

E6020 is a synthetic agonist of Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of E6020‐SE on Trypanosoma cruzi‐specific immune responses and its ability to confer protection against acute lethal infection in mice. Forty female BALB/c were infected with 500 trypomastigotes of T cruzi H1 strain, divided into four groups (n = 10) and treated at 7‐ and 14‐day post‐infection (dpi) with different doses of E6020‐SE or PBS (control). Survival was followed for 51 days, mice were euthanized and hearts were collected to evaluate parasite burden, inflammation and fibrosis. We found significantly higher survival and lower parasite burdens in mice injected with E6020‐SE at all doses compared to the control group. However, E6020‐SE treatment did not significantly reduce cardiac inflammation or fibrosis. On the other hand, E6020‐SE modulated Th1 and Th2 cytokines, decreasing IFN‐γ and IL‐4 in a dose‐dependent manner after stimulation with parasite antigens. We conclude that E6020‐SE alone increased survival by decreasing cardiac parasite burdens in BALB/c mice acutely infected with T cruzi but failed to prevent cardiac damage. Our results suggest that for optimal protection, a vaccine antigen is necessary to balance and orient a protective immune response.
Application of theLeishmania infantum21‐kDa recombinant protein for the development of an immunochromatographic test
Authors: Karimi Kakh Mansoureh , Golchin Mehdi , Kazemi Arababadi Mohammad , Daneshvar Hamid
Published: June 2020

Background

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused byLeishmania infantum, is a systemic parasitic disease and presents a global health problem which can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated. Dogs are the main hosts and provide reservoirs for the transmission of the disease to humans.

Methods

In this study, the gene encoding a 21‐kDa protein was cloned and expressed as a fusion protein inEscherichia colistrain BL21 (DE3) for developing a rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) to identify infected dogs. The expression of the recombinant 21‐kDa protein (r21) was investigated using SDS‐PAGE and Western blot methods. The purified r21‐kDa protein was spotted onto ICT strips and tested by sera from experimentally infected, naturally infected and uninfected dogs.

Results

The SDS‐PAGE and Western blot methods showed the successful expression of r21‐kDa protein. The ICT strip test revealed that the r21‐kDa protein was detected by the sera of experimentally and naturally infected dogs. The specificity tests also confirmed no cross‐reactivity with animals infected withTrypanosoma cruzi,Toxoplasma gondiiandEhrlichia canis.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, the new r21‐kDa protein may be a suitable target for developing a new simple, specific and rapid serological method to detect VL in infected dogs.
Dysregulation of microRNA expression during the progression of colorectal tumors
Authors: Eizuka Makoto , Osakabe Mitsumasa , Sato Ayaka , Fujita Yasuko , Tanaka Yoshihito , Otsuka Koki , Sasaki Akira , Matsumoto Takayuki , Suzuki Hiromu , Sugai Tamotsu
Published: June 2020

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers of neoplastic lesions, but additional information on dysregulated miRNA expression during progression of the adenoma–adenocarcinoma sequence may be helpful to identify the role of miRNAs in this sequence. We examined the expression levels of 13 miRNAs (hsa‐miRNA‐19a‐3p, hsa‐miRNA‐21‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐27a‐3p, hsa‐miRNA‐27b‐3p, hsa‐miRNA‐31‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐34b‐3p, hsa‐miRNA‐125b‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐143‐3p, miRNA‐191‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐193b‐3p, hsa‐miRNA‐195‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐206 and hsa‐let‐7a‐5p) that are closely associated with colorectal carcinogenesis in 40 conventional adenomas (tubular and tubulovillous adenomas), 20 intramucosal carcinomas (IMCs) and 60 invasive colorectal cancers (iCRCs) using reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. These 120 tumors were divided into two cohorts, that is, cohort 1 (60 cases) and cohort 2 (for validation; 60 cases). We analyzed the expression levels of these miRNAs in the first step (adenoma→IMC) and second step IMC→iCRC) of the adenoma–carcinoma sequence in both cohorts. Although no significant differences in the expression of any of the 13 miRNAs were found between adenomas and IMCs consistently in both cohorts, the expression levels of hsa‐miRNA‐125b‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐143‐3p, and hsa‐miRNA‐206 were significantly upregulated in iCRC in both cohorts compared with those in IMC. The current results suggest that certain miRNAs, including hsa‐miRNA‐125b‐5p, hsa‐miRNA‐143‐3p and hsa‐miRNA‐206, are candidate markers that play critical roles in the progression of IMC to iCRC.
Discrete Convex Analysis and Its Applications in Operations: A Survey
Authors: Chen Xin , Li Menglong
Published: June 2020

Discrete convexity, in particular, [Formula: see text]‐convexity and [Formula: see text]‐convexity, provides a critical opening to attack several classical problems in inventory theory, as well as many other operations problems that arise from more recent practices, for instance, appointment scheduling and bike sharing. As a powerful framework, discrete convex analysis is becoming increasingly popular in the literature. This review will survey the landscape of the approach. We start by introducing several key concepts, namely, [Formula: see text]‐convexity and [Formula: see text]‐convexity and their variants, followed by a discussion of some fundamental properties that are most useful for studying operations models. We then illustrate various applications of these concepts and properties. Examples include network flow problem, stochastic inventory control, appointment scheduling, game theory, portfolio contract, discrete choice model, and bike sharing. We focus our discussion on demonstrating how discrete convex analysis can shed new insights on existing problems, and/or bring about much more simpler analyses and algorithm developments than previous methods in the literature. We also present several results and analyses that are new to the literature.
Using Clickstream Data to Improve Flash Sales Effectiveness
Authors: Martínez‐de‐Albéniz Victor , Planas Arnau , Nasini Stefano
Published: June 2020

Flash sales retailers organize online campaigns where products are sold for a short period of time at a deep discount. The demand in these events is very uncertain, but clickstream data can potentially help retailers with detailed information about the shopping process, thereby allowing them to manage such risks. For this purpose, we build a predictive model for shoppers’ sequential decisions about visiting a campaign, obtaining product information and placing a purchase, which we validate using a large data set from a leading flash sales firm. The proposed hierarchical approach mirrors the different stages of the shopping funnel and allows for a direct decomposition of its main sources of variation, from customers arrival to products purchase. We identify life‐cycle dynamics and heterogeneity across campaigns and products as the main sources of variation: these allow us to provide the best predictions from a statistical standpoint, which outperform machine learning alternatives in out‐of‐sample accuracy. Our model thus enables flash sales retailers to learn about the performance of new products in a few hours and to update prices so as to better match supply and demand forecast and improve profits. We simulate our forecasting and optimization procedures on several campaigns including thousands of products and show that our model can successfully separate popular and unpopular products and lift revenues significantly.
Inter‐individual genetic variation in the temperature response of Leptosphaeria species pathogenic on oilseed rape
Authors: Newbery Fay , Ritchie Faye , Gladders Peter , Fitt Bruce D. L. , Shaw Michael W.
Published: June 2020

It is important to understand the likely response of plant pathogens to increased temperatures due to anthropogenic climate change. This includes evolutionary change due to selection on genetically based variation in growth rate with temperature. We attempted to quantify this in two ways. First, radial mycelial growth rates in agar culture were determined for a collection of 44 English isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans and 17 isolates of L. biglobosa, at 14 temperatures. For L. maculans the genotypic variances in four parameters were measured: minimum temperature allowing growth, optimum temperature, growth rate at the optimum temperature, and growth rate at the highest usable temperature, 31.8°C. The standard deviations were 0.068°C, 1.28°C, 0.21 mm/day, and 0.31 mm⋅day−1⋅°C−1, respectively. For L. biglobosa, these figures were, respectively: immeasurably small, 1.31°C, 0.053 mm/day, and 0.53 mm⋅day−1⋅°C−1. In addition, the incidence and severity of phoma stem canker in planta over a natural growing cycle at four temperatures (16, 20, 24, and 28°C) around the average culture optimum were determined. There was no correlation between in vitro and in planta growth, and the decrease in pathogen measures either side of the optimum temperature was much less for in planta growth than for in vitro growth. We conclude that both pathogens have the capacity to evolve to adapt to changes in environmental conditions, but that predictions of the effect of this adaptation, or estimates of heritability in natural conditions, cannot be made from measurements in vitro.
Who Should We Count as Citizens? Categorizing People in Public Administration Research
Authors: Roberts Alasdair
Published: June 2020

Citizenship is a core concept in public administration research. This article examines how the concept was employed in 29 research articles published in Public Administration Review since 2009. It finds two difficulties. The first is a tendency to omit an explicit definition of the concept, contrary to good practice. The second is a tendency to adopt an implied definition of citizenship that encompasses all of the general population. The article considers possible justifications for current practice. Research would be improved by using the concept less frequently, defining it explicitly, adopting a definition that is closer to ordinary usage, and attending more carefully to the ways in which attitudes and behavior are influenced by a person's status within a jurisdiction.
Different Processes, Different Outcomes? Assessing the Individual‐Level Impacts of Public Participation
Authors: Jo Suyeon , Nabatchi Tina
Published: June 2020

This article empirically investigates the relative efficacy of different direct participation processes. Specifically, it compares the effects of three types of participatory processes (public meetings, focus groups, and citizen juries) on participants' issue awareness, competence, empowerment, and trust in service professionals. The authors hypothesize that all three participatory processes will positively affect these individual outcomes but that the magnitudes of effects will differ across the three processes. Using data from field experiments, the authors test and find general support for the hypotheses. This study contributes to understanding of public participation, particularly in terms of the relationship between participatory design and outcomes.
Zeroth‐order conservation laws of two‐dimensional shallow water equations with variable bottom topography
Authors: Bihlo Alexander , Popovych Roman O.
Published: June 2020

We classify zeroth‐order conservation laws of systems from the class of two‐dimensional shallow water equations with variable bottom topography using an optimized version of the method of furcate splitting. The classification is carried out up to equivalence generated by the equivalence group of this class. We find additional point equivalences between some of the listed cases of extensions of the space of zeroth‐order conservation laws, which are inequivalent up to transformations from the equivalence group. Hamiltonian structures of systems of shallow water equations are used for relating the classification of zeroth‐order conservation laws of these systems to the classification of their Lie symmetries. We also construct generating sets of such conservation laws under action of Lie symmetries.
Clinical relevance of major histocompatibility complex class I chain–related molecule A (MICA) antibodies in live donor renal transplantation – Indian Experience
Authors: Baranwal Ajay Kumar , Bhat Deepali K. , Goswami Sanjeev , Agarwal Sanjay Kumar , Kaur Gurvinder , Mehra Narinder
Published: June 2020

Antibody‐mediated rejections (AMR) in the absence of circulating anti‐HLA‐DSA have highlighted the role of non‐HLA antibodies, particularly those directed against endothelial cells. Of these, MICA (major histocompatibility complex class I chain–related molecule A) antibodies are the most notable and important because of their potential in promoting graft rejections. Limited studies have focused on the impact of MICA donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) on graft outcome as compared to those that are not donor‐specific (NDSA). We evaluated pre‐ and post‐transplant sera at POD 7, 30, 90, 180 and the time of biopsy from 206 consecutive primary live donor renal transplant recipients for anti‐MICA and anti‐HLA antibodies using single antigen bead assay on a Luminex platform. Recipients who developed MICA antibodies and their donors were phenotyped for MICA alleles. For the purpose of antibody analysis, patients were categorized into three major groups: biopsy‐proven AMR, acute cellular rejection (ACR) and those with no rejection episodes (NRE). During the mean follow‐up period of 17.37 ± 6.88 months, 16 of the 206 recipients developed AMR, while ACR was observed in only 13 cases. A quarter (25%) of the AMR cases had anti‐MICA antibodies as compared to 7.7% of those experiencing ACR and 6.2% of the NRE group. Allelic typing revealed that all MICA Ab +ve AMR cases were due to the presence of donor‐specific antibodies. MICA‐DSA even in the absence of HLA‐DSA was significantly associated with AMR but not with ACR when compared with the NRE group (P = <.01).
Associations among state‐level physical distancing measures and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among U.S. adults during the early COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Bryan AnnaBelle O. , Baker Justin C.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify leading sources of stress, describe rates of mental health outcomes, and examine their associations among U.S. adults during the first months of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Method

In a cross‐sectional, general population survey conducted from March 18 to April 4, 2020, U.S. adults (n = 10,625) were recruited through Qualtrics Panels using quota sampling methods.

Results

Life stressors, probable depression, past‐month suicide ideation, and past‐month suicide attempts were not elevated among participants subject to state‐level stay‐at‐home orders and/or large gathering bans. Multiple life stressors were associated with increased rates of probable depression. Past‐month suicide ideation was significantly higher among participants reporting ongoing arguments with a partner and serious legal problems. Past‐month suicide attempt was significantly higher among participants reporting concerns about a life‐threatening illness or injury, but was significantly lower among participants reporting an unexpected bill or expense.

Conclusions

Results failed to support the conclusion that physical distancing measures are correlated with worse mental health outcomes. Concerns about life‐threatening illness or injury were uniquely associated with increased risk of suicide attempt.
Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness explain the associations of COVID‐19 social and economic consequences to suicide risk
Authors: Gratz Kim L. , Tull Matthew T. , Richmond Julia R. , Edmonds Keith A. , Scamaldo Kayla M. , Rose Jason P.
Published: June 2020

Objective

The social and economic consequences of COVID‐19 and related public health interventions aimed at slowing the spread of the virus have been proposed to increase suicide risk. However, no research has examined these relations. This study examined the relations of two COVID‐19 consequences (i.e., stay‐at‐home orders and job loss) to suicide risk through thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and loneliness.

Method

Online data from a nationwide community sample of 500 adults (mean age = 40) from 45 states were collected between March 27 and April 5, 2020. Participants completed measures assessing thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, loneliness, and suicide risk, as well as whether they (a) were currently under a stay‐at‐home order and (b) had experienced a recent job loss due to the pandemic.

Results

Results revealed a significant indirect relation of stay‐at‐home order status to suicide risk through thwarted belongingness. Further, whereas recent job loss was significantly correlated with suicide risk, neither the direct relation of job loss to suicide risk (when accounting for their shared relations to perceived burdensomeness) nor the indirect relation through perceived burdensomeness was significant.

Conclusions

Results highlight the potential benefits of interventions targeting thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness to offset suicide risk during this pandemic.
How bad is it? Suicidality in the middle of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kevin M. , Harris Casey , Drawve Grant
Published: June 2020

Objective

The current paper examines the intersection between social vulnerability, individual risk, and social/psychological resources with adult suicidality during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Method

Data come from a national sample (n = 10,368) of U.S. adults. Using an online platform, information was gathered during the third week of March 2020, and post‐stratification weighted to proportionally represent the U.S. population in terms of age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and geography.

Results

Nearly 15 percent of sampled respondents were categorized as high risk, scoring 7+ on the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire‐Revised (SBQ‐R). This level of risk varied across social vulnerability groupings: Blacks, Native Americans, Hispanics, families with children, unmarried, and younger respondents reported higher SBQ‐R scores than their counterparts (p < .000). Regression results confirm these bivariate differences and also reveal that risk factors (food insecurity, physical symptoms, and CES‐D symptomatology) are positive and significantly related to suicidality (p < .000). Additionally, resource measures are significant and negatively related to suicidality (p < .000).

Conclusions

These results provide some insight on the impact COVID‐19 is having on the general U.S. population. Practitioners should be prepared for what will likely be a significant mental health fall‐out in the months and years ahead.
A 3D printed suturing trainer for medical students
Authors: Boyajian Michael K , Lubner Rory J , Roussel Lauren O , Crozier Joseph W , Ryder Beth A , Woo Albert S
Published: June 2020

Background

Medical students must be able to suture competently upon graduation. To learn suturing technique, students must have access to practice materials. The purpose of this pilot study was to develop a novel suturing trainer and to evaluate its ability to provide realistic and accessible suturing practice. A cohort of senior students at one institution compared the device with standard suture‐training media (porcine feet and sponges).

Methods

Using 3D printing and silicone casting, a novel suturing trainer was developed and a cohort of senior medical students trialed the device in a standardised suturing workshop. Participants evaluated the novel suturing trainer, porcine feet and sponges for simulating human tissue with regard to: (i) tissue layers; (ii) tissue texture; (iii) ability to perform interrupted suturing; (iv) running subcuticular suturing; and (v) knot tying.

Results

Compared with porcine feet and sponges, the suturing trainer had significantly higher mean scores (p < 0.001) for the simulation of human tissue layers and texture, as well as for the ability to facilitate the practice of interrupted suturing, running suturing and knot tying. All (n = 32) participants identified the silicone trainer as the best tool upon which to practice suturing, and 92% (n = 23) responded that their suturing skills would improve if the silicone trainer replaced porcine feet and sponges.

Discussion

The silicone suturing device provides a more realistic and accessible suture learning experience than porcine feet and sponges. Further validation is required to assess its long‐term effectiveness in medical education.
Obligatory metabolomic profiling of gene‐edited crops is risk disproportionate
Authors: Fedorova Maria , Herman Rod A.
Published: June 2020

It has been argued that the application of metabolomics to gene‐edited crops would present value in three areas: (i) the detection of gene‐edited crops; (ii) the characterization of unexpected changes that might affect safety; and (iii) building on the track record of rigorous government regulation in supporting consumer acceptance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Here, we offer a different perspective, relative to each of these areas: (i) metabolomics is unable to differentiate whether a mutation has resulted from gene editing or from traditional breeding techniques; (ii) it is risk‐disproportionate to apply metabolomics for regulatory purposes to search for possible compositional differences within crops developed using the least likely technique to generate unexpected compositional changes; and (iii) onerous regulations for genetically engineered crops have only contributed to unwarranted public fears, and repeating this approach for gene‐edited crops is unlikely to result in a different outcome. It is also suggested that article proposing the utility of specific analytical techniques to support risk assessment would benefit from the input of scientists with subject matter expertise in risk assessment.
Factors affecting freezing tolerance: a comparative transcriptomics study between field and artificial cold acclimations in overwintering evergreens
Authors: Liu Bing , Wang Xiu‐Yun , Cao Yan , Arora Rajeev , Zhou Hong , Xia Yi‐Ping
Published: June 2020

Cold acclimation (CA) is a well‐known strategy employed by plants to enhance freezing tolerance (FT) in winter. Global warming could disturb CA and increase the potential for winter freeze‐injury. Thus, developing robust FT through complete CA is essential. To explore the molecular mechanisms of CA in woody perennials, we compared field and artificial CAs. Transcriptomic data showed that photosynthesis/photoprotection and fatty acid metabolism pathways were specifically enriched in field CA; carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolism and circadian rhythm pathways were commonly enriched in both field and artificial CAs. When compared with plants in vegetative growth in the chamber, we found that the light signals with warm air temperatures in the fall might induce the accumulation of leaf abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) concentrations, and activate Ca2+, ABA and JA signaling transductions in plants. With the gradual cooling occurrence in winter, more accumulation of anthocyanin, chlorophyll degradation, closure/degradation of photosystem II reaction centers, and substantial accumulation of glucose and fructose contributed to obtaining robust FT during field CA. Moreover, we observed that in Rhododendron ‘Elsie Lee’, ABA and JA decreased in winter, which may be due to the strong requirement of zeaxanthin for rapid thermal dissipation and unsaturated fatty acids for membrane fluidity. Taken together, our results indicate that artificial CA has limitations to understand the field CA and field light signals (like short photoperiod, light intensity and/or light quality) before the low temperature in fall might be essential for complete CA.
Individual‐ and hospital‐level correlates of red blood cell, platelet, and plasma transfusions among hospitalized children and neonates: a nationally representative study in the United States
Authors: Goel Ruchika , Josephson Cassandra D. , Patel Eshan U. , Petersen Molly R. , Packman Zoe , Gehrie Eric , Bloch Evan M. , Lokhandwala Parvez , Ness Paul M. , Katz Louis , Nellis Marianne , Karam Oliver , Tobian Aaron A. R.
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Factors associated with red blood cell (RBC), plasma, and platelet transfusions in hospitalized neonates and children across the United States have not been well characterized.

METHODS

Data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) 2016 were analyzed. KID is a random sample of 10% of all uncomplicated in‐hospital births and 80% of remaining pediatric discharges from approximately 4200 US hospitals. Sampling weights were applied to generate nationally representative estimates. Primary outcome was one or more RBC transfusion procedures; plasma and platelet transfusions were assessed as secondary outcomes. Analysis was stratified by age: neonates (NEO; ≤28 d), and nonneonates (PED; >28 d and <18 y). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

RESULTS

Among 5,604,984 total hospitalizations, overall prevalence of transfusions was 1.07% (95% CI, 0.94%‐1.22%) for RBCs, 0.17% (95% CIs, 0.15%‐0.21%) for plasma and 0.35% (95% CI, 0.30%‐0.40%) for platelet transfusions. RBC transfusions occurred among 0.43% NEO admissions and 2.63% PED admissions. For NEO admissions, RBC transfusion was positively associated with nonwhite race, longer length of hospitalization, highest risk of mortality (aOR, 86.58; 95% CI, 64.77‐115.73) and urban teaching hospital location. In addition to the above factors, among PED admissions, RBC transfusion was positively associated with older age, female sex (aOR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.07‐1.13), and elective admission status (aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.46‐1.80). Factors associated with plasma and platelet transfusions were largely similar to those associated with RBC transfusion, except older age groups had lower odds of plasma transfusion among PED admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

While there is substantial variability in the proportion of neonates and nonneonatal children transfused nationally, there are several similar, yet unique, nonlaboratory predictors of transfusion identified in these age groups.