bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Analysis for Business, Economics, and Policy
Authors: Békés Gábor , Kézdi Gábor
Published: April 2021

This textbook provides future data analysts with the tools, methods, and skills needed to answer data-focused, real-life questions; to carry out data analysis; and to visualize and interpret results to support better decisions in business, economics, and public policy. Data wrangling and exploration, regression analysis, machine learning, and causal analysis are comprehensively covered, as well as when, why, and how the methods work, and how they relate to each other. As the most effective way to communicate data analysis, running case studies play a central role in this textbook. Each case starts with an industry-relevant question and answers it by using real-world data and applying the tools and methods covered in the textbook. Learning is then consolidated by 360 practice questions and 120 data exercises. Extensive online resources, including raw and cleaned data and codes for all analysis in Stata, R, and Python, can be found at www.gabors-data-analysis.com.
Adaptation
Authors: Lloyd Elisabeth
Published: April 2021

Natural selection causes adaptation, the fit between an organism and its environment. For example, the white and grey coloration of snowy owls living and breeding around the Arctic Circle provides camouflage from both predators and prey. In this Element, we explore a variety of such outcomes of the evolutionary process, including both adaptations and alternatives to adaptations, such as nonadaptive traits inherited from ancestors. We also explore how the concept of adaptation is used in evolutionary psychology and in animal behavior, and the adequacy of methods used to confirm evolutionary accounts of human traits and behaviors.
The Promise of Pragmatism: Richard Rorty and Business Ethics
Authors: Pouryousefi Sareh , Freeman R. Edward
Published: April 2021

Pragmatists believe that philosophical inquiry must engage closely with practice to be useful and that practice serves as a source of social norms. As a growing alternative to the analytic and continental philosophical traditions, pragmatism is well suited for research in business ethics, but its role remains underappreciated. This article focuses on Richard Rorty, a key figure in the pragmatist tradition. We read Rorty as a source of insight about the ethical and political nature of business practice in contemporary global markets, focusing specifically on his views about moral sentiments, agency, and democratic deliberation. Importantly for business ethicists, Rorty’s approach sets in stark relief our moral responsibility as useful, practical thinkers in addressing the societal challenges of our time. We use “modern slavery” as an empirical context to highlight the relevance of Rorty’s approach to business ethics.
Drawing Contract and Polyamory Together Or: How I Found the Limits of Liberal Legality in Kimchi Cuddles Comics
Authors: Enman-Beech John
Published: April 2021

Polyamory means consensual, aspirationally gender-egalitarian, non-monogamous relationships. People who engage in such relationships often seek relationship advice. This article is a critical review of a self-help webcomic and other texts in the light of contract theory. Polyamorous people often use contractual concepts to understand their relationships and how to carry them out. Applying critical contract theory, we can trace how problems typical of contractual framing in other fields play out in the poly context. At the same time, these problems are recognized and responded to by poly people, and they dynamically reinterpret core contract concepts. This article thus makes two contributions. First, it provides a study in the way legal concepts percolate out into, and are transformed by, everyday life. Second, in consolidating some ways poly people have solved old contract problems, it offers conceptual tools for the continuing project of imagining more just ways of relating.
Development of the systematic observation of COVID-19 mitigation (SOCOM): Assessing face covering and distancing in schools
Authors: Camplain Ricky , Lopez Nanette V. , Cooper Dan M. , McKenzie Thomas L. , Zheng Kai , Radom-Aizik Shlomit
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some K-12 schools resumed in-person classes with varying degrees of mitigation plans in the fall 2020. Physical distancing and face coverings can minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, no research has focused on adherence to mitigation strategies during school days. Thus, we sought to develop a systematic observation protocol to capture COVID-19 mitigation strategy adherence in school environments: The Systematic Observation of COVID-19 Mitigation (SOCOM).

Methods:

We extended previously validated and internationally used tools to develop the SOCOM training and implementation protocols to assess physical-distancing and face-covering behaviors. SOCOM was tested in diverse indoor and outdoor settings (classrooms, lunchrooms, physical education [PE], and recess) among diverse schools (elementary, secondary, and special needs).

Results:

For the unique metrics of physical-distancing and face-covering behaviors, areas with less activity and a maximum of 10–15 students were more favorable for accurately capturing data. Overall proportion of agreement was high for physical distancing (90.9%), face covering (88.6%), activity type (89.2%), and physical activity level (87.9%). Agreement was lowest during active recess, PE, and observation areas with ≥20 students.

Conclusions:

Millions of children throughout the USA are likely to return to school in the months ahead. SOCOM is a relatively inexpensive research tool that can be implemented by schools to determine mitigation strategy adherence and to assess protocols that allow students return to school safely and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Infinitely presented permutation stable groups and invariant random subgroups of metabelian groups
Authors: LEVIT ARIE , LUBOTZKY ALEXANDER
Published: April 2021

We prove that all invariant random subgroups of the lamplighter group L are co-sofic. It follows that L is permutation stable, providing an example of an infinitely presented such group. Our proof applies more generally to all permutational wreath products of finitely generated abelian groups. We rely on the pointwise ergodic theorem for amenable groups.
Regularity of simple nuclear realC*-algebras under tracial conditions
Authors: Stacey P. J.
Published: April 2021

The Toms–Winter conjecture is verified for those separable, unital, nuclear, infinite-dimensional realC*-algebras for which the complexification has a tracial state space with compact extreme boundary of finite covering dimension.
Resting-state connectivity subtype of comorbid PTSD and alcohol use disorder moderates improvement from integrated prolonged exposure therapy in Veterans
Authors: Stout Daniel M. , Harlé Katia M. , Norman Sonya B. , Simmons Alan N. , Spadoni Andrea D.
Published: April 2021

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are highly comorbid and are associated with significant functional impairment and inconsistent treatment outcomes. Data-driven subtyping of this clinically heterogeneous patient population and the associated underlying neural mechanisms are highly needed to identify who will benefit from psychotherapy.

Methods

In 53 comorbid PTSD/AUD patients, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was collected prior to undergoing individual psychotherapy. We used a data-driven approach to subgroup patients based on directed connectivity profiles. Connectivity subgroups were compared on clinical measures of PTSD severity and heavy alcohol use collected at pre- and post-treatment.

Results

We identified a subgroup of patients associated with improvement in PTSD symptoms from integrated-prolonged exposure therapy. This subgroup was characterized by lower insula to inferior parietal cortex (IPC) connectivity, higher pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) to posterior midcingulate cortex connectivity and a unique pgACC to IPC path. We did not observe any connectivity subgroup that uniquely benefited from integrated-coping skills or subgroups associated with change in alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

Data-driven approaches to characterize PTSD/AUD subtypes have the potential to identify brain network profiles that are implicated in the benefit from psychological interventions – setting the stage for future research that targets these brain circuit communication patterns to boost treatment efficacy.
SARS-CoV-2 mutations: the biological trackway towards viral fitness
Authors: Majumdar Parinita , Niyogi Sougata
Published: April 2021

The outbreak of pneumonia-like respiratory disorder at China and its rapid transmission world-wide resulted in public health emergency, which brought lineage B betacoronaviridae SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) into spotlight. The fairly high mutation rate, frequent recombination and interspecies transmission in betacoronaviridae are largely responsible for their temporal changes in infectivity and virulence. Investigation of global SARS-CoV-2 genotypes revealed considerable mutations in structural, non-structural, accessory proteins as well as untranslated regions. Among the various types of mutations, single-nucleotide substitutions are the predominant ones. In addition, insertion, deletion and frame-shift mutations are also reported, albeit at a lower frequency. Among the structural proteins, spike glycoprotein and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein accumulated a larger number of mutations whereas envelope and membrane proteins are mostly conserved. Spike protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase variants, D614G and P323L in combination became dominant world-wide. Divergent genetic variants created serious challenge towards the development of therapeutics and vaccines. This review will consolidate mutations in different SARS-CoV-2 proteins and their implications on viral fitness.
Nutrition across the curriculum: a scoping review exploring the integration of nutrition education within primary schools
Authors: Follong Berit M. , Verdonschot Angeliek , Prieto-Rodriguez Elena , Miller Andrew , Collins Clare E. , Bucher Tamara
Published: April 2021

Primary schools contribute to promoting healthy eating behaviour and preventing overweight and obesity by providing nutrition education. Research highlights the importance of improving teachers’ programme implementation to enhance intervention effectiveness. An integrative approach has been suggested to reduce time barriers that teachers currently experience in teaching nutrition. This scoping review explores use and effectiveness of integrative teaching in primary-school-based nutrition education programmes. Six databases were searched for primary-school-based interventions on nutrition education. Papers reporting on integration of nutrition topics within core curriculum were included. Abstracts and full texts of potentially relevant articles were screened to determine eligibility. Next, data were extracted and tabulated. Findings were collated and summarised to describe intervention characteristics, subject integration and effectiveness of the included programmes. Data describing integration of nutrition into the primary school curriculum were extracted from 39 eligible papers. Nutrition education programmes often involve lessons about food groups and are frequently embedded within the mathematics, science or literacy syllabus. Although articles report on the integration of nutrition, the use of this approach was not commonly described in detail. Only seven papers discussed student outcomes related to the integration of nutrition education within core subjects. The ability to draw strong conclusions about school-based nutrition intervention effectiveness is limited by the current lack of programme description and methodological issues. Hence, more research is warranted to inform evidence on effectiveness of integrative nutrition education for both teacher and student outcomes. Future studies that include greater detail regarding the integrative approach are needed.
A 6-week healthy eating intervention with family engagement improves food knowledge and preferences but not dietary diversity among urban preschool children in Sri Lanka
Authors: Sirasa Fathima , Mitchell Lana , Azhar Aslan , Chandrasekara Anoma , Harris Neil
Published: April 2021

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention (MCI) on children’s dietary diversity and its impact pathway components of children’s food knowledge and healthy food preferences.

Design:

A 6-week cluster randomised controlled trial with a MCI consisting of child nutrition education plus family engagement through parental nutrition education, meal preparation and tasting was compared with two groups: single component intervention (SCI) of child nutrition education, and control, conducted during February to July 2018. Preschool centres were randomly assigned to one of the three arms. Children’s food knowledge, healthy food preferences and dietary diversity scores were collected. Intervention effects were analysed using a pre-post analysis and a difference-in-difference model.

Setting:

Fourteen preschool centres in an urban area of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.

Participants:

Child–parent dyads of children aged 4–6 years. Final analyses included 306 (for food knowledge and preferences) and 258 (for dietary diversity) dyads.

Results:

MCI significantly influenced the impact pathways to children’s dietary diversity by increasing children’s food knowledge and healthy food preferences scores by 3·76 and 2·79 (P < 0·001), respectively, but not the dietary diversity score (P = 0·603), compared with the control arm. Relative to SCI, MCI significantly improved children’s food knowledge score by 1·10 (P < 0·001), but no significant effects were noted for other outcome variables.

Conclusions:

Improved food knowledge and preferences require a positive food environment and time to develop into healthy eating behaviours. Research into dietary diversity should broaden to incorporate the contextual roles of the home and general food environments to more completely understand food choices of children.
The Effect of Storm Direction on Flood Frequency Analysis
Authors: Perez G. , Gomez‐Velez J. D. , Mantilla R. , Wright D. B. , Li Z.
Published: April 2021

Storm direction modulates a hydrograph's magnitude and duration, thus having a potentially large effect on local flood risk. However, how changes in the preferential storm direction affect the probability distribution of peak flows remains unknown. We address this question with a novel Monte Carlo approach where stochastically transposed storms drive hydrologic simulations over medium and mesoscale watersheds in the Midwestern United States. Systematic rotations of these watersheds are used to emulate changes in the preferential storm direction. We found that the peak flow distribution impacts are scale‐dependent, with larger changes observed in the mesoscale watershed than in the medium‐scale watershed. We attribute this to the high diversity of storm patterns and the storms' scale relative to watershed size. This study highlights the potential of the proposed stochastic framework to address fundamental questions about hydrologic extremes when our ability to observe these events in nature is hindered by technical constraints and short time records.
Mean and Seasonal Circulation of the Eastern Chukchi Sea From Moored Timeseries in 2013–2014
Authors: Tian Fei , Pickart Robert S. , Lin Peigen , Pacini Astrid , Moore G. W. K. , Stabeno Phyllis , Weingartner Thomas , Itoh Motoyo , Kikuchi Takashi , Dobbins Elizabeth , Bell Shaun , Woodgate Rebecca A. , Danielson Seth L. , Wang Zhaomin
Published: April 2021

From late‐summer 2013 to late‐summer 2014, a total of 20 moorings were maintained on the eastern Chukchi Sea shelf as part of five independent field programs. This provided the opportunity to analyze an extensive set of timeseries to obtain a broad view of the mean and seasonally varying hydrography and circulation over the course of the year. Year‐long mean bottom temperatures reflected the presence of the strong coastal circulation pathway, while mean bottom salinities were influenced by polynya/lead activity along the coast. The timing of the warm water appearance in spring/summer is linked to advection along the various flow pathways. The timing of the cold water appearance in fall/winter was not reflective of advection nor related to the time of freeze‐up. Near the latitude of Barrow Canyon, the cold water was accompanied by freshening. A one‐dimensional mixed‐layer model demonstrates that wind mixing, due to synoptic storms, overturns the water column resulting in the appearance of the cold water. The loitering pack ice in the region, together with warm southerly winds, melted ice and provided an intermittent source of fresh water that was mixed to depth according to the model. Farther north, the ambient stratification prohibits wind‐driven overturning, hence the cold water arrives from the south. The circulation during the warm and cold months of the year is different in both strength and pattern. Our study highlights the multitude of factors involved in setting the seasonal cycle of hydrography and circulation on the Chukchi shelf.
Case Studies on Concentric Gravity Waves Source Using Lightning Flash Rate, Brightness Temperature and Backward Ray Tracing at São Martinho da Serra (29.44°S, 53.82°W)
Authors: Nyassor P. K. , Wrasse C. M. , Gobbi D. , Paulino I. , Vadas S. L. , Naccarato K. P. , Takahashi H. , Bageston J. V. , Figueiredo C. A. O. B. , Barros D.
Published: April 2021

We relate the spatial and temporal distribution of lightning flash rates and cloud top brightness temperature (CTBT) to concentric atmospheric gravity wave (CGW) events observed at the Southern Space Observatory (SSO) in São Martinho da Serra (29.44°S, 53.82°W, 488.7 m) in southern Brazil. The selected identified cases from 2017 to 2018 were observed by a hydroxyl (OH) all‐sky imager. Backward ray tracing shows that the time of gravity wave excitation agrees with the highest values of lightning flash rates (indicating lightning jump) as well as the coldest brightness temperatures that indicate the time of convective overshoot. Radiosonde measurements show high convective available potential energy (CAPE), associated with a maximum updraft velocity just prior to the wave events. We find that these possible source locations correspond to the positions and times that convective plumes overshot the tropopause (seen in GOES‐16 CTBT images). We also show that higher spatial lightning density (i.e., number of lightning flashes at a given longitude and latitude) agree with the overshoot locations from the GOES satellite. We also find that the overshoot times from the GOES‐16 satellite agree with the times lightning jumps were observed in the lightning flash rate. Finally, we find that the periodicities in the lightning flash rate agree with the periods of the observed CGWs, which further strengthens the result that the CGWs were excited by the deep convective systems determined from backward ray tracing.
Global Effects of Disruptions to the Stratospheric Circulation
Authors: Baldwin Mark , Ayarzag�ena Blanca , Birner Thomas , Butchart Neal , Butler Amy , Charlton-Perez Andrew , Domeisen Daniela , Garfinkel Chaim , Garny Hella , Gerber Edwin , Hegglin Michaela , Langematz Ulrike , Pedatella Nicholas
Published: April 2021

Major disruptions to the stratospheric circulation have far-reaching effects, including increased likelihood of snowstorms, growth of the ozone hole, and interference in global telecommunications.
The Second Rainy Stage Onset in the Central Highlands of Vietnam
Authors: Bui‐Manh Hai , Peng Chi‐Ming , Fu Yen‐Ta , Dinh Duc‐Tu , Lin Neng‐Huei , Yen Ming‐Cheng
Published: April 2021

Two distinct rainfall stages over the Central Highlands (CH) of Vietnam during the rainy season have been objectively defined using the high‐resolution Vietnam Gridded Precipitation data set for 1983–2010 (28 years): a second rainy stage (SRS) embedded in the conventional rainy season. Surprisingly, the pronounced interannual variation in the SRS onset date has led to three apparent regimes: an early (late) SRS with a 1 month longer (shorter) rainfall period occurring in early July (until mid‐August) and a normal SRS starting in late July. Almost all the early SRS years occur during El Niño developing phases, particularly during the Niño3.4 sea surface temperature (SST) increase from January through December. Water vapor budget analyses reveal that the interannual variation in the divergent water vapor flux is in response to the warmer July tropical Pacific SST anomalies, resulting in rainfall enhancement over the CH and eventually inducing early SRS onset.
Atmospheric Boundary Layer—Free Troposphere Air Exchange in the North China Plain and its Impact on PM2.5 Pollution
Authors: Jin Xipeng , Cai Xuhui , Huang Qianqian , Wang Xuesong , Song Yu , Zhu Tong
Published: April 2021

This study presents the first climatology of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL)—free troposphere (FT) exchange during wintertime in a region covering the North China Plain (NCP) and further discusses its impact on PM2.5 pollution. The exchange flux is calculated based on a mass budget equation using the simulated meteorological field from 2013 to 2019. The mean ABL‐FT exchange is well related to topography and sea‐land distribution, manifesting as strong downward flux over the western/northwestern mountains, moderate exchange along the eastern coastline, and small upward flux over the NCP. Eight weather types are classified to analyze the synoptic influence on ABL‐FT exchange. Strong exchanges exist under the types of “low pressure trough,” “cold front,” and “high pressure” (about 63% of total days), characterized by the downward spatial mean flux of 0.019–0.026 kg m−2 s−1 over the whole research domain. But over the plain area, upward transport is dominant with the air flux from 0.004 to 0.013 kg m−2 s−1 under the first two weather types (about 32% of total days), corresponding to PM2.5 fluxes estimated in the range 0.30–0.54 μg m−2 s−1. This indicates the NCP being an effective pollution source for long‐range transport. We also find that weather types with large downward flux and straightforward winds can refresh the underneath ABL air in about 6 h, which explains the dispersion of air pollution. A typical pollution case illustrates convergence and uplift to the FT of the pollutants in the NCP and the possible influence on downstream air quality.
Overexpression of translationally controlled tumor protein ameliorates metabolic imbalance and increases energy expenditure in mice
Authors: Jeon Yejin , Choi Ji-Young , Jang Eun-Hwa , Seong Je Kyung , Lee Kyunglim
Published: April 2021

Background/Objectives

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) exhibits numerous biological functions. It has been shown to be involved in the regulation of glucose. However, its specific role in metabolism has not yet been clearly elucidated. Here, we aimed to assess the effect of TCTP overexpression on metabolic tissues and systemic energy metabolism.

Subjects/Methods

We investigated whether TCTP can ameliorate the metabolic imbalance that causes obesity using TCTP-overexpressing transgenic (TCTP TG) mice. The mice were subjected to biochemical, morphological, physiological and protein expression studies to define the role of TCTP in metabolic regulation in response to normal chow diet (NCD) compared to high-fat diet (HFD) conditions, and cold environment.

Results

We found that TCTP TG mice show improved metabolic homeostasis under both of NCD and HFD conditions with simultaneous enhancements in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. In particular, we found coincident increases in energy expenditure with significant upregulation of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in the brown adipose tissue (BAT). Moreover, TCTP overexpressing mice exhibit significantly enhanced adaptive thermogenesis of BAT in response to cold exposure.

Conclusions

Overexpression of TCTP ameliorated systemic metabolic homeostasis by stimulating UCP1-mediated thermogenesis in the BAT. This suggests that TCTP may function as a modulator of energy expenditure. This study suggests TCTP may serve as a therapeutic target for obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes.
CCL5 promotion of bioenergy metabolism is crucial for hippocampal synapse complex and memory formation
Authors: Ajoy Reni , Lo Yu-Chun , Ho Man-Hau , Chen You-Yin , Wang Yun , Chen Yuan-Hao , Jing-Yuan Chiu , Changou Chun Austin , Hsiung Yuan-Chin , Chen Hui-Min , Chang Tzu-Hao , Lee Cheng-Yang , Chiang Yung-Hsiao , Chang Wen-Chang , Hoffer Barry , Chou Szu-Yi
Published: April 2021

Glucoregulatory efficiency and ATP production are key regulators for neuronal plasticity and memory formation. Besides its chemotactic and neuroinflammatory functions, the CC chemokine––CCL5 displays neurotrophic activity. We found impaired learning-memory and cognition in CCL5-knockout mice at 4 months of age correlated with reduced hippocampal long-term potentiation and impaired synapse structure. Re-expressing CCL5 in knockout mouse hippocampus restored synaptic protein expression, neuronal connectivity and cognitive function. Using metabolomics coupled with FDG-PET imaging and seahorse analysis, we found that CCL5 participates in hippocampal fructose and mannose degradation, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis as well as glutamate and purine metabolism. CCL5 additionally supports mitochondrial structural integrity, purine synthesis, ATP generation, and subsequent aerobic glucose metabolism. Overexpressing CCL5 in WT mice also enhanced memory-cognition performance as well as hippocampal neuronal activity and connectivity through promotion of de novo purine and glutamate metabolism. Thus, CCL5 actions on glucose aerobic metabolism are critical for mitochondrial function which contribute to hippocampal spine and synapse formation, improving learning and memory.
Cytosolic DNA sensing by cGAS: regulation, function, and human diseases
Authors: Yu Le , Liu Pengda
Published: April 2021

Sensing invasive cytosolic DNA is an integral component of innate immunity. cGAS was identified in 2013 as the major cytosolic DNA sensor that binds dsDNA to catalyze the synthesis of a special asymmetric cyclic-dinucleotide, 2′3′-cGAMP, as the secondary messenger to bind and activate STING for subsequent production of type I interferons and other immune-modulatory genes. Hyperactivation of cGAS signaling contributes to autoimmune diseases but serves as an adjuvant for anticancer immune therapy. On the other hand, inactivation of cGAS signaling causes deficiency to sense and clear the viral and bacterial infection and creates a tumor-prone immune microenvironment to facilitate tumor evasion of immune surveillance. Thus, cGAS activation is tightly controlled. In this review, we summarize up-to-date multilayers of regulatory mechanisms governing cGAS activation, including cGAS pre- and post-translational regulations, cGAS-binding proteins, and additional cGAS regulators such as ions and small molecules. We will also reveal the pathophysiological function of cGAS and its product cGAMP in human diseases. We hope to provide an up-to-date review for recent research advances of cGAS biology and cGAS-targeted therapies for human diseases.
Evaluation of the Manchester COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES)
Authors: Kanabar Rahul , Craven Wendy , Wilson Helen , Rietdyke Rebecca , Dhawahir-Scala Felipe , Jinkinson Matthew , Newman William D. , Harper Robert A.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Pressure on capacity in ophthalmology alongside the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to the development of the COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES), allowing patients to receive a prompt ophthalmic consultation, including remotely. The aim of this study was to conduct a service evaluation of CUES in Manchester.

Methods

Data were collected both prospectively and retrospectively from both primary and secondary care over an 8-week period from June to August 2020.

Results

In primary care CUES in Greater Manchester (GM) 2461 patients were assessed, with a majority self-referring to the service (68.7%, n = 1844). 91.7% of cases initially screened for CUES were deemed eligible and given a telemedicine appointment in GM; 53.3% of these cases required face-to-face consultation. 14.3% of cases seen within in GM CUES (351 out of 2461) were provisionally referred to secondary care. Contemporaneously the main provider emergency eyecare department (EED) attendances were reduced by 37.7% per month between April and December 2020 inclusive, compared to the same months in 2019. Patients attending a CUES face-to-face assessment were more likely to have a diagnosis in agreement with secondary care, compared to patients referred in from telemedicine assessment only (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This evaluation of CUES demonstrates a high level of primary care activity alongside a sustained reduction in EED cases. The case-mix of patients seen within EED following referral appears to be of a less benign nature than those cases seen prior to the introduction of CUES.
A SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) biological network to find targets for drug repurposing
Authors: Habibi Mahnaz , Taheri Golnaz , Aghdam Rosa
Published: April 2021

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus needs a fast recognition of effective drugs to save lives. In the COVID-19 situation, finding targets for drug repurposing can be an effective way to present new fast treatments. We have designed a two-step solution to address this approach. In the first step, we identify essential proteins from virus targets or their associated modules in human cells as possible drug target candidates. For this purpose, we apply two different algorithms to detect some candidate sets of proteins with a minimum size that drive a significant disruption in the COVID-19 related biological networks. We evaluate the resulted candidate proteins sets with three groups of drugs namely Covid-Drug, Clinical-Drug, and All-Drug. The obtained candidate proteins sets approve 16 drugs out of 18 in the Covid-Drug, 273 drugs out of 328 in the Clinical-Drug, and a large number of drugs in the All-Drug. In the second step, we study COVID-19 associated proteins sets and recognize proteins that are essential to disease pathology. This analysis is performed using DAVID to show and compare essential proteins that are contributed between the COVID-19 comorbidities. Our results for shared proteins show significant enrichment for cardiovascular-related, hypertension, diabetes type 2, kidney-related and lung-related diseases.
Serine protease dynamics revealed by NMR analysis of the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex
Authors: Peacock Riley B. , McGrann Taylor , Tonelli Marco , Komives Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2021

Serine proteases catalyze a multi-step covalent catalytic mechanism of peptide bond cleavage. It has long been assumed that serine proteases including thrombin carry-out catalysis without significant conformational rearrangement of their stable two-β-barrel structure. We present nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) experiments on the thrombin-thrombomodulin (TM) complex. Thrombin promotes procoagulative fibrinogen cleavage when fibrinogen engages both the anion binding exosite 1 (ABE1) and the active site. It is thought that TM promotes cleavage of protein C by engaging ABE1 in a similar manner as fibrinogen. Thus, the thrombin-TM complex may represent the catalytically active, ABE1-engaged thrombin. Compared to apo- and active site inhibited-thrombin, we show that thrombin-TM has reduced μs-ms dynamics in the substrate binding (S1) pocket consistent with its known acceleration of protein C binding. Thrombin-TM has increased μs-ms dynamics in a β-strand connecting the TM binding site to the catalytic aspartate. Finally, thrombin-TM had doublet peaks indicative of dynamics that are slow on the NMR timescale in residues along the interface between the two β-barrels. Such dynamics may be responsible for facilitating the N-terminal product release and water molecule entry that are required for hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme intermediate.
Neuropsychological profile of hearing-impaired patients and the effect of hearing aid on cognitive functions: an exploratory study
Authors: Cuoco Sofia , Cappiello Arianna , Scarpa Alfonso , Troisi Donato , Autuori Maria , Ponticorvo Sara , Cassandro Claudia , Manara Renzo , Esposito Fabrizio , Santangelo Gabriella , Barone Paolo , Cassandro Ettore , Pellecchia Maria Teresa
Published: April 2021

Few studies have investigated the neuropsychological profile of Hearing Loss (HL) subjects and the effects of hearing-aid on cognitive decline. We investigated the neuropsychological profile of HL patients at baseline and compared the neuropsychological profiles of patients with and without hearing-aid at 6 month. Fifty-six HL patients and 40 healthy subjects (HC) underwent neuropsychological and behavioral examination and were compared at baseline. Changes at follow-up were compared between HL patients with (N = 25) and without (N = 31) hearing-aids. At baseline, significant differences between HL and HC were found in MOCA test, Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) and SF-36. Among mild-HL patients, patients with hearing-aid significantly improved on the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) as compared to patients without hearing-aid. Our findings indicate that hearing loss is associated with both a reduced efficiency of the global cognitive state and a worse quality of life as compared to HC, supporting the association between HL and cognitive impairment. Moreover, only patients with mild-HL shows some cognitive improvement after using hearing-aid, suggesting that rehabilitative strategies may be more effective to delay cognitive decline in such patients. However, we cannot exclude that hearing-aids may affect cognitive decline in more severe-HL, but a longer follow-up is needed.
Uncovering the hidden bacterial ghost communities of yeast and experimental evidences demonstrates yeast as thriving hub for bacteria
Authors: Indu B. , Keertana Tallapragada , Ipsita Sahu , Jagadeeshwari Uppada , Sasikala Chintalapati , Ramana Chintalapati Venkata
Published: April 2021

Our major concern was to address “yeast endobacteria” which was based on a few reports in the recent past where bacteria may find yeast as a niche for survival. In this study, we report the microbiota of twenty-nine axenic yeast cultures recovered from different habitats based on their 16S rRNA gene-amplicon metagenomes. Yeasts were identified based on D1/D2 or ITS gene sequences. Bacterial diversity was widespread, varied and rich among all yeasts except for four strains. Taxa belonging to the phylum Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes and the genera; Streptococcus, Propionibacterium were common to all the yeasts. Candida tropicalis was used as a model organism to confirm bacteria through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), isolating and re-introducing the isolated bacteria into the yeast. FISH analysis confirmed the endobacteria of C. tropicalis and we have successfully isolated four bacteria only after lysis and disruption of yeast cells. These bacteria were identified as species of Pseudomonas, Chryseobacterium, Lysinibacillus and Propionibacterium. Guestimates indicate 95% of bacterial species of C. tropicalis are yet-to-be-cultivated. We have successfully reintroduced mCherry tagged Pseudomonas into C. tropicalis. Also, auto-fluorescent Prochlorococcus and Rhodopseudomonas could be introduced into C. tropicalis while mCherry tagged E. coli or Salmonella could not be introduced. FISH analysis confirmed the presence of both native and infected bacterial cells present in C. tropicalis. Our findings unveil the insights into the ghost microbiota associated with yeast, which otherwise are considered to be axenic cultures. Their inherent occurrence, together with co-cultivation experiments under laboratory conditions suggests that yeasts are a thriving hub for bacterial communities.
Observation of monochromatic and coherent luminescence from nanocavities of GaN nanowall network
Authors: Shamoon Danish , Upadhyaya Kishor , Shivaprasad Sonnada M.
Published: April 2021

Scaling-down the size of semiconductor cavity lasers and engineering their electromagnetic environment in the Purcell regime can bring about spectacular advance in nanodevices fabrication. We report here an unprecedented observation of a coherent Cathodoluminescence from GaN nanocavities (20–100 nm). Incident lower energy (< 15 kV) electron beams excite the band edge UV emission from the walls of the network whereas for higher energies, the emitted photons are spontaneously down converted into NIR and preferentially emerge from the nanocavities. Non-centrosymmetric structure of GaN and its nanowall geometry together facilitate this unique observation which is substantiated by our numerical results. At cryogenic temperatures, an intense and narrow laser-like NIR beam emanates out of the nanocavities. The work promises the possibility of fabrication of very high density (over 108/cm2) cavity lasers that are addressable by simple deflection and tuning of incident electron beams.
Risk of cancer development in patients with keloids
Authors: Lu Ying-Yi , Tu Hung-Pin , Wu Chieh-Hsin , Hong Chien-Hui , Yang Kuo-Chia , Yang Hui-Ju , Chang Kee-Lung , Lee Chih-Hung
Published: April 2021

Keloid is a skin disease characterized by exaggerated scar formation, excessive fibroblast proliferation, and excessive collagen deposition. Cancers commonly arise from a fibrotic microenvironment; e.g., hepatoma arises from liver cirrhosis, and oral cancers arise from submucosal fibrosis. As keloids are a prototypic fibroproliferative disease, this study investigated whether patients with keloids have an increased cancer risk. In a matched, population-based study, first 17,401 patients treated for keloids during 1998–2010 with 69,604 controls without keloids at a ratio of 1:4 were evaluated. The association between keloids and risk of cancer was estimated by logistic regression or Cox proportional hazard regression models after adjustment of covariates. In total, 893 first-time cases of cancer were identified in the 17,401 patients with keloids. The overall cancer risk was 1.49-fold higher in the keloids group compared to controls. Regarding specific cancers, the keloids group, had a significantly higher risk of skin cancer compared to controls (Relative risk = 1.73). The relative risk for skin cancer was even higher for males with keloids (Relative risk = 2.16). Further stratified analyses also revealed a significantly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer in female patients with keloids compared to controls (Relative risk = 2.19) after adjustment for known pancreatic cancer risk factors. This study indicates that patients with keloids have a higher than normal risk for several cancer types, especially skin cancers (both genders) and pancreatic cancer (females). Therefore, patients with keloids should undergo regular skin examinations, and females with keloids should regularly undergo abdominal ultrasonography.
miR-451a levels rather than human papillomavirus vaccine administration is associated with the severity of murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Nakashima Momoka , Ishikawa Kana , Fugiwara Aika , Shu Kaiin , Fukushima Yoshimi , Okamoto Masaaki , Tsukamoto Hirotake , Kouwaki Takahisa , Oshiumi Hiroyuki
Published: April 2021

Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine is currently the most effective prophylaxis to prevent cervical cancer. However, concerns regarding its potential severe adverse reactions have limited the vaccination rate. HPV vaccines have been determined to contain adjuvants which induce inflammation by the innate immune system and are crucial for triggering adaptive immunity. MicroRNA-451a (miR-451a) is located within circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and regulates the innate immune response. In this study, we examined the effect of HPV vaccines and EV miR-451a on murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system. Although HPV vaccine induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and macrophage cell death, it failed to exacerbate mouse EAE, whereas circulating EV miR-451a levels were associated with the severity of EAE. Since miR-451a knockout exhibited only marginal effect on the murine EAE clinical score, our data suggest that miR-451a levels reflect an unknown condition associated with EAE severity. Interestingly, excessive uptake of glucose increased EV miR-451a levels both in vitro and in vivo and also exacerbated mouse EAE. Therefore, environmental factors that increase EV miR-451a levels exacerbate the autoimmune disorder more than the HPV vaccine. These observations provide evidence for the safety of HPV vaccines.
Platelet function and bleeding at different phases of childhood immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Ignatova Anastasia A. , Suntsova Elena V. , Pshonkin Alexey V. , Martyanov Alexey A. , Ponomarenko Evgeniya A. , Polokhov Dmitry M. , Fedorova Daria V. , Voronin Kirill A. , Kotskaya Natalia N. , Trubina Natalia M. , Krasilnikova Marina V. , Uzueva Selima Sh. , Serkova Irina V. , Ovsyannikova Galina S. , Romanova Ksenia I. , Hachatryan Lili A. , Kalinina Irina I. , Matveev Viktor E. , Korsantiya Maya N. , Smetanina Natalia S. , Evseev Dmitry A. , Sadovskaya Maria N. , Antonova Kristina S. , Khoreva Anna L. , Zharkov Pavel A. , Shcherbina Anna , Sveshnikova Anastasia N. , Maschan Aleksey A. , Novichkova Galina A. , Panteleev Mikhail A.
Published: April 2021

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is believed to be associated with platelet function defects. However, their mechanisms are poorly understood, in particular with regard to differences between ITP phases, patient age, and therapy. We investigated platelet function and bleeding in children with either persistent or chronic ITP, with or without romiplostim therapy. The study included 151 children with ITP, of whom 56 had disease duration less than 12 months (grouped together as acute/persistent) and 95 were chronic. Samples of 57 healthy children were used as controls, while 5 patients with leukemia, 5 with aplastic anemia, 4 with MYH9-associated thrombocytopenia, and 7 with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome were used as non-ITP thrombocytopenia controls. Whole blood flow cytometry revealed that platelets in both acute/persistent and chronic ITP were increased in size compared with healthy donors. They were also pre-activated as assessed by PAC1, CD62p, cytosolic calcium, and procoagulant platelet levels. This pattern was not observed in other childhood thrombocytopenias. Pre-activation by CD62p was higher in the bleeding group in the chronic ITP cohort only. Romiplostim treatment decreased size and pre-activation of the patient platelets, but not calcium. Our data suggest that increased size, pre-activation, and cytosolic calcium are common for all ITP platelets, but their association with bleeding could depend on the disease phase.
Characterizing rumen microbiota and CAZyme profile of Indian dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in response to different roughages
Authors: Hinsu Ankit T. , Tulsani Nilam J. , Panchal Ketankumar J. , Pandit Ramesh J. , Jyotsana Basanti , Dafale Nishant A. , Patil Niteen V. , Purohit Hemant J. , Joshi Chaitanya G. , Jakhesara Subhash J.
Published: April 2021

In dromedary camels, which are pseudo-ruminants, rumen or C1 section of stomach is the main compartment involved in fiber degradation, as in true ruminants. However, as camels are adapted to the harsh and scarce grazing conditions of desert, their ruminal microbiota makes an interesting target of study. The present study was undertaken to generate the rumen microbial profile of Indian camel using 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun metagenomics. The camels were fed three diets differing in the source of roughage. The comparative metagenomic analysis revealed greater proportions of significant differences between two fractions of rumen content followed by diet associated differences. Significant differences were also observed in the rumen microbiota collected at different time-points of the feeding trial. However, fraction related differences were more highlighted as compared to diet dependent changes in microbial profile from shotgun metagenomics data. Further, 16 genera were identified as part of the core rumen microbiome of Indian camels. Moreover, glycoside hydrolases were observed to be the most abundant among all Carbohydrate-Active enzymes and were dominated by GH2, GH3, GH13 and GH43. In all, this study describes the camel rumen microbiota under different dietary conditions with focus on taxonomic, functional, and Carbohydrate-Active enzymes profiles.
Tunable magnetization steps in mixed valent ferromagnet Eu2CoMnO6
Authors: Lee Nara , Kim Jong Hyuk , Oh Dong Gun , Shin Hyun Jun , Choi Hwan Young , Choi Sungkyun , Jo Younjung , Choi Young Jai
Published: April 2021

Magnetic properties can be manipulated to enhance certain functionalities by tuning different material processing parameters. Here, we present the controllable magnetization steps of hysteresis loops in double-perovskite single crystals of Eu2CoMnO6. Ferromagnetic order emerges below TC ≈ 122 K along the crystallographic c axis. The difficulty in altering Co2+ and Mn4+ ions naturally induces additional antiferromagnetic clusters in this system. Annealing the crystals in different gas environments modifies the mixed magnetic state, and results in the retardation (after O2-annealing) and bifurcation (after Ar-annealing) of the magnetization steps of isothermal magnetization. This remarkable variation offers an efficient approach for improving the magnetic properties of double-perovskite oxides.
Publisher Correction: Low melting oxide glasses prepared at a melt temperature of 500 °C
Authors: Masai Hirokazu , Nishibe Toru , Yamamoto Satoshi , Niizuma Takaaki , Kitamura Naoyuki , Akai Tomoko , Ohkubo Takahiro , Yoshida Miki
Published: April 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Influence of dityrosine nanotubes on the expression of dopamine and differentiation in neural cells
Authors: Macha Prathyushakrishna , Mayes Maricris L. , Visayas Benjoe Rey. B. , Soni Vikas , Sammeta Vamshikrishna Reddy , Vasudev Milana C.
Published: April 2021

This study reports the quantum chemical calculations of interactions and self-assembly of dityrosine nanotubes. These nanotubes were studied for application as a biologically functional scaffold and their interactions with neural cells.
Using silyl protecting group to enable post-deposition C–C coupling reactions of alkyne-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene monolayers on Au surfaces
Authors: Berg Iris , Hale Lillian , Carmiel-Kostan Mazal , Toste F. Dean , Gross Elad
Published: April 2021

Alkyne-functionalized NHC ligands were protected by TIPS group that enabled surface-anchoring of NHCs with chemically-sensitive functionality and providing access, following TIPS removal, to on-surface Sonogashira cross–coupling reactions.
Glycodendritic structures as DC-SIGN binders to inhibit viral infections
Authors: Ramos-Soriano Javier , Rojo Javier
Published: April 2021

Sugars displayed on different multivalent scaffolds prevent viral entry into cells via the DC-SIGN blockage.
A new strategy to construct gold nanocluster-based optical probes using luminescence resonance energy transfer
Authors: Zhai Shuyang , Hu Wei , Fan Chen , Feng Wenqi , Liu Zhihong
Published: April 2021

Monolayer protected gold nanoclusters were applied as a pH sensitive luminescent NIR probe based on the LRET mechanism in living cells.
Pressure-induced annulative orifice closure of a cage-opened C60 derivative
Authors: Hashikawa Yoshifumi , Kizaki Kazuro , Murata Yasujiro
Published: April 2021

An annulative orifice closure reaction occurred on an open-cage C60 derivative at high pressure, in which the cyclization mode was different from that observed in the reaction at 1 atm.