bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative landscape genetics reveals differential effects of environment on host and pathogen genetic structure in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and their transmissible tumour
Authors: Kozakiewicz Christopher P. , Ricci Lauren , Patton Austin H. , Stahlke Amanda R. , Hendricks Sarah A. , Margres Mark J. , Ruiz‐Aravena Manuel , Hamilton David G. , Hamede Rodrigo , McCallum Hamish , Jones Menna E. , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Storfer Andrew
Published: July 2020

Genetic structure in host species is often used to predict disease spread. However, host and pathogen genetic variation may be incongruent. Understanding landscape factors that have either concordant or divergent influence on host and pathogen genetic structure is crucial for wildlife disease management. Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) was first observed in 1996 and has spread throughout almost the entire Tasmanian devil geographic range, causing dramatic population declines. Whereas DFTD is predominantly spread via biting among adults, devils typically disperse as juveniles, which experience low DFTD prevalence. Thus, we predicted little association between devil and tumour population structure and that environmental factors influencing gene flow differ between devils and tumours. We employed a comparative landscape genetics framework to test the influence of environmental factors on patterns of isolation by resistance (IBR) and isolation by environment (IBE) in devils and DFTD. Although we found evidence for broad‐scale costructuring between devils and tumours, we found no relationship between host and tumour individual genetic distances. Further, the factors driving the spatial distribution of genetic variation differed for each. Devils exhibited a strong IBR pattern driven by major roads, with no evidence of IBE. By contrast, tumours showed little evidence for IBR and a weak IBE pattern with respect to elevation in one of two tumour clusters we identify herein. Our results warrant caution when inferring pathogen spread using host population genetic structure and suggest that reliance on environmental barriers to host connectivity may be ineffective for managing the spread of wildlife diseases. Our findings demonstrate the utility of comparative landscape genetics for identifying differential factors driving host dispersal and pathogen transmission.
Does Zakat reduce poverty? Evidence from Tunisia using the Fuzzy Approach
Authors: Bouanani Mejda , Belhadj Besma
Published: July 2020

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam; it is compulsory for all the well‐off Muslims and is given to the needy. This study examines Zakat's impact on poverty in Tunisia. Using simulated data of individuals from Tunisian household surveys in 2010 and 2015, we measure the effect of Zakat to reduce poverty. This study uses the Fuzzy Approach to conclude that Zakat does reduce poverty. The simulation results display a significant decrease in the poverty index of Tunisia's seven regions.
Convergence of actual, warranted, and natural growth rates in a Kaleckian–Harrodian‐classical model
Authors: Kemp‐Benedict Eric
Published: July 2020

This paper describes a dynamic one‐sector macroeconomic model that draws on both post‐Keynesian and classical/neo‐Marxian themes. The model features an equilibrium in which Harrod’s actual, warranted, and natural growth rates coincide. Dynamic processes unfolding over both short and long time scales lead the economy to exhibit both business cycles and long waves. The Keynesian stability condition is assumed not to hold, so the model features short‐run instability, which is bounded from above by a utilization ceiling. Labor constraints affect distribution through conflict pricing. In contrast to other Kaleckian–Harrodian models, we do not assume an exogenous source of demand. Instead, short‐run instability is bounded from below by firms’ expectations that the downturn will eventually reverse.
Ecological implications of unprecedented warm water anomalies on interannual prey preferences and foraging areas of Guadalupe fur seals
Authors: Amador‐Capitanachi María José , Moreno‐Sánchez Xchel G. , Ventura‐Domínguez Phalom Denohi , Juárez‐Ruiz Ariadna , González‐Rodríguez Eduardo , Gálvez Casandra , Norris Tenaya , Elorriaga‐Verplancken Fernando R.
Published: July 2020

The Guadalupe fur seal (GFS) currently is recovering from near extinction and prey availability is an important factor. Scat and stable isotope analyses (SIA) were used to assess GFS foraging on Guadalupe Island during 2013–2016. This period was characterized by normal (2013) ocean temperatures followed by warm conditions (2014–2016). Scat samples (~40/year) were collected for prey identification. Additionally, lanugo samples from 1‐month‐old pups (50/year) were processed for SIA (δ13C/δ15N). Interannual prey preferences were identified (ANOSIM,p < .05), including significant differences between 2013 and the anomalous years. The most important prey species among these years was the jumbo squid; followed by the neon flying squid (2014–2016). The GFS diet was more specialized in 2013–2015 and more generalized in 2016. Prey from higher trophic levels (determined by scat analysis) were consumed during 2014–2016, but with significantly lower δ13C/δ15N values than in 2013 (ANOVA,p < .05 for both isotope ratios). This pattern may indicate more northerly or offshore foraging areas, with the presence of oceanic prey (neon flying squid). The widest isotopic niche was observed in 2015 (2.2‰2), reflecting a broader foraging area. Our findings are an important step toward better understanding the impacts of climate change on the recovery of GFS.
Characteristics, outcome and risk factors for mortality of paediatric patients with ICU‐acquired candidemia in India: A multicentre prospective study
Authors: Chakrabarti Arunaloke , Sood Prashant , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash M. , Chen Sharon , Jillwin Joseph , Iyer Ranganathan , Sharma Ajanta , Harish Belgode Narasimha , Roy Indranil , Kindo Anupma J. , Chhina Deepinder , Savio Jayanthi , Mendiratta Deepak , Capoor Malini R. , Das Shukla , Arora Anita , Chander Jagdish , Xess Immaculata , Boppe Appalaraju , Ray Ujjwayini , Rao Ratna , Eshwara Vandana Kalwaje , Joshi Sangeeta , Patel Atul , Sardana Raman , Shetty Anjali , Pamidimukkala Umabala ,   for the SIHAM Candidemia Network
Published: July 2020

Background

The epidemiology, clinical profile and outcome of paediatric candidemia vary considerably by age, healthcare settings and prevalent Candida species. Despite these differences, few comprehensive studies are undertaken. This nationwide study addresses this knowledge gap.

Methods

487 children who contracted ICU‐acquired candidemia at 23 Indian tertiary care centres were assessed for 398 variables spanning demography, clinical characteristics, microbiology, treatment and outcome.

Results

Both neonates (5.0 days; range = 3.0‐9.5) and non‐neonatal children (7.0 days; range = 3.0‐13.0) developed candidemia early after ICU admission. Majority of neonates were premature (63.7%) with low birthweight (57.1%). Perinatal asphyxia (7.3%), pneumonia (8.2%), congenital heart disease (8.4%) and invasive procedures were common comorbidities, and antibiotic use (94.1%) was widespread. C tropicalis (24.7%) and C albicans (20.7%) dominated both age groups. Antifungal treatment (66.5%) and removal of central catheters (44.8%) lagged behind. Overall resistance was low; however, emergence of resistant C krusei and C auris needs attention. The 30‐day crude mortality was 27.8% (neonates) and 29.4% (non‐neonates). Logistic regression identified admission to public sector ICUs (OR = 5.64), mechanical ventilation (OR = 2.82), corticosteroid therapy (OR = 8.89) and antifungal therapy (OR = 0.22) as independent predictors of 30‐day crude mortality in neonates. Similarly, admission to public sector ICUs (OR = 3.62), mechanical ventilation (OR = 3.13), exposure to carbapenems (OR = 2.18) and azole antifungal therapy (OR = 0.48) were independent predictors for non‐neonates.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal a distinct epidemiology, including early infection with a different spectrum of Candida species, calling for appropriate intervention strategies to reduce candidemia morbidity and mortality. Independent factors identified in our regression models can help tackle these challenges.
The role of uncertainty in the design of sustainable and precautionary management strategies for fisheries
Authors: Riquelme Victor , Quinn Terrance J. , Ramirez C. Hector
Published: July 2020

Environmental variability has a strong influence on marine fish stocks. Thus, management and harvest policies based on deterministic indicators, such as maximum sustainable yield (MSY), may be inappropriate facing such uncertainties. In this study, we investigate the long‐term behavior of a single‐species fishery, whose stock is harvested by several fleets and affected by variability in the recruitment. The dynamics of this population is modeled by a discrete‐time stochastic age‐structured model. In this context, we introduce the concepts of maximum expected, log expected, and harmonic expected sustainable yield, as biological reference points. We illustrate these concepts with a case study of the Patagonian toothfish fishery in Chile and Argentina. Via Monte‐Carlo simulations, we verify that high levels of variability have a negative effect on all these maximum expected reference points, which suggests the need to be more cautious when large levels of variability on recruitment impact the fishery. Our simulations show that the deterministic MSY may not be attained in the presence of environmental noise, and therefore its use may lead to a failure of management strategies or rebuilding plans.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

For sustainable harvest, proper accounting of stochasticity in recruitment dynamics is necessary. For high levels of volatility, the use of deterministic reference points to develop regulations, such as maximum sustainable yield (MSY), may lead to overexploitation and even a possible extinction of the fishery.

We extend the MSY to the stochastic age‐structured framework by means of maximum expected stationary yield, maximum expected log‐sustainable yield, and maximum expected harmonic sustainable yield, which can be used as precautionary reference points.

These three maximum expected yields and their respective optimal fishing mortalities decrease when the variability of fish recruitment increases. This stresses the need to be more cautious in presence of volatility.
Electroanatomic mapping‐guided endomyocardial biopsy in patients with apparently idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias
Authors: Pieroni Maurizio , Notarstefano Pasquale , Ciabatti Michele , Nesti Martina , Martinese Lucia , Liistro Francesco , Bolognese Leonardo
Published: July 2020

The management of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in the presence of an apparently normal heart represents a major clinical challenge and a main field of clinical research. In the past years, new imaging techniques and the spreading of new generation genetic testing have improved our knowledge of the pathogenesis of apparently idiopathic VA. However, in the absence of specific recommendations, the type and the number of noninvasive and invasive studies necessary to rule out a possible underlying cause of VA or sudden cardiac death remain extremely variable. Therefore, in many patients the underlying cardiac disease is not recognized, and a possible specific therapeutic approach cannot be initiated. Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) can provide a significant contribution to the identification of myocardial disorders causing VA but has never been definitively included in the routine diagnostic work‐up of these patients due to the possible sampling error particularly in disorders with a focal or patchy distribution. Three‐dimensional electroanatomic mapping (EAM) may guide EMB allowing to draw myocardial samples from abnormal voltage, areas of the ventricular wall, thus reducing sampling error and increasing the sensitivity of EMB. The systematic association of EAM with EMB represents a crucial approach to characterize the pathological substrate of electroanatomic abnormalities and VA and to further clarify the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of acquired and also inherited arrhythmic disorders.
Ten more years of discovery: revisiting the quality of the sauropodomorph dinosaur fossil record
Authors: Cashmore Daniel D. , Mannion Philip D. , Upchurch Paul , Butler Richard J.
Published: July 2020

Spatiotemporal changes in fossil specimen completeness can bias our understanding of a group's evolutionary history. The quality of the sauropodomorph fossil record was assessed a decade ago, but the number of valid species has since increased by 60%, and 17% of the taxa from that study have since undergone taxonomic revision. Here, we assess how 10 years of additional research has changed our outlook on the group's fossil record. We quantified the completeness of all 307 sauropodomorph species currently considered valid using the skeletal completeness metric, which calculates the proportion of a complete skeleton preserved for each taxon. Taxonomic and stratigraphic age revisions, rather than new species, are the drivers of the most significant differences between the current results and those of the previous assessment. No statistical differences appeared when we use our new dataset to generate temporal completeness curves based solely on taxa known in 2009 or 1999. We now observe a severe drop in mean completeness values across the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary that never recovers to pre‐Cretaceous levels. Explaining this pattern is difficult, as we find no convincing evidence that it is related to environmental preferences or body size changes. Instead, it might result from: (1) reduction of terrestrial fossil preservation space due to sea level rise; (2) ecological specificities and relatively high diagnosability of Cretaceous species; and/or (3) increased sampling of newly explored sites with many previously unknown taxa. Revisiting patterns in this manner allows us to test the longevity of conclusions made in previous quantitative studies.
Physiological significance of pedospheric nitric oxide for root growth, development and organismic interactions
Authors: Ma Ming , Wendehenne David , Philippot Laurent , Hänsch Robert , Flemetakis Emmanouil , Hu Bin , Rennenberg Heinz
Published: July 2020

Nitric oxide (NO) is essential for plant growth and development, as well as interactions with abiotic and biotic environments. Its importance for multiple functions in plants means that tight regulation of NO concentrations is required. This is of particular significance in roots, where NO signalling is involved in processes, such as root growth, lateral root formation, nutrient acquisition, heavy metal homeostasis, symbiotic nitrogen fixation and root–mycorrhizal fungi interactions. The NO signal can also be produced in high levels by microbial processes in the rhizosphere, further impacting root processes. To explore these interesting interactions, in the present review, we firstly summarize current knowledge of physiological processes of NO production and consumption in roots and, thereafter, of processes involved in NO homeostasis in root cells with particular emphasis on root growth, development, nutrient acquisition, environmental stresses and organismic interactions.
A comparative study of the efficacy and safety of intralesional measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine versus intralesional vitamin D3 for the treatment of warts in children
Authors: Mohta Alpana , Kushwaha Ramesh Kumar , Gautam Umesh , Sharma Pritee , Nyati Asha , Jain Suresh Kumar
Published: July 2020

Background

Intralesional vitamin D3 has recently emerged as a new treatment for cutaneous warts. The use of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for this purpose is an established modality. However, relevant data on the efficacy of either the MMR vaccine or vitamin D3 as immunotherapy for cutaneous warts in the pediatric population are limited.

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of intralesional injections of MMR vaccine to intralesional injections of vitamin D3 in children aged 8‐16 years with multiple warts.

Methods

A total of 74 children were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A patients received intralesional MMR vaccine into the largest wart, and group B received intralesional vitamin D3 into the largest wart. The injections were repeated every 4 weeks until clearance or for a maximum of three treatments. After the last injection, children were followed up every 2 weeks for 3 months, and at the sixth month, a final clinical assessment was conducted.

Results

Of 74 children, 60 completed the study, with 30 children in each group. Complete clearance of the injected wart was observed in 26 (86.67%) patients in the MMR group (group A) and 23 (76.7%) patients in the vitamin D3 group (group B). Distant warts cleared in 23 (76.7%) patients in group A compared to 20 (66.6%) patients in group B. There was no significant difference between groups. No recurrence was seen in group A, whereas two (6.6%) children in group B exhibited recurrence in the ensuing 6‐month follow‐up. The most common adverse events were injection site pain and swelling.

Conclusion

Both intralesional MMR and vitamin D3 are safe, generally well‐tolerated, and equally effective in children for the treatment of cutaneous warts.
Relational egalitarianism
Authors: Nath Rekha
Published: July 2020

In the past few decades, there has been a growing literature on relational egalitarianism. Relational egalitarianism is a view on the nature and value of equality. In contrast to the dominant view in recent debates on equality—distributive egalitarianism, on which equality is about ensuring people have or fare the same in some respect—on the relational view, equality is a matter of the terms on which relationships are structured. But what exactly does it mean for people to relate as equals? And why are relations of equality valuable? Relational egalitarians have offered quite different answers to each of these questions. In this article, I draw attention to some key issues that underlie these disagreements, and I offer a taxonomy of different viewpoints that have emerged in the recent literature on these matters.
How literature expands your imagination
Authors: Peacocke Antonia
Published: July 2020

Many great authors claim that reading literature can expand your phenomenal imagination and allow you to imagine experiences you have never had. How is this possible? Your phenomenal imagination is constrained by your phenomenal concepts, which are in turn constrained by the phenomenology of your own actual past experiences. Literature could expand your phenomenal imagination, then, by giving you new phenomenal concepts. This paper explains how this can happen. Literature can direct your attention to previously unnoticed phenomenal properties of your own past experiences, as brought to mind by involuntary memory. This process gives you the opportunity to notice those phenomenal properties for the first time, and so also to form phenomenal concepts of those properties. Forming a new phenomenal concept strictly expands the range of your phenomenal imagination. It gives you the capacity to imagine more than you could have before, including certain specific kinds of experience that you yourself have never enjoyed firsthand. Literature’s capacity to expand your phenomenal imagination in this way is central to its social, moral, and epistemic value.
Normative explanation unchained
Authors: Väyrynen Pekka
Published: July 2020

Normative theories aim to explain why things have the normative features they have. This paper argues that, contrary to some plausible existing views, one important kind of normative explanations which first‐order normative theories aim to formulate and defend can fail to transmit downward along chains of metaphysical determination of normative facts by non‐normative facts. Normative explanation is plausibly subject to a kind of a justification condition whose satisfaction may fail to transmit along the relevant kind of metaphysical hierarchy. A broader aim of the paper is to contribute to systematic theorizing about normative explanation: whereas there has been a great deal of work on scientific explanation, there has been little by way of systematic exploration of what sort of explanations normative theories aim to formulate and defend.
Regulatory novelty after financial crises: Evidence from international banking and securities standards, 1975–2016
Authors: Pagliari Stefano , Wilf Meredith
Published: July 2020

Financial crises are often presented as triggers for important innovations in international regulation of financial markets, but existing evidence for this claim primarily derive from the analyses of individual initiatives, assessed against noncomparable benchmarks. In order to provide systematic evidence of financial crises' impact on international financial regulatory change, this paper develops a novel text‐as‐data approach to measure regulatory novelty. We use this approach to analyze the full population of international banking and securities standards between 1975 and 2016. Contrary to theoretical expectations, our empirical findings indicate rules designed by international banking and securities regulators following financial crises are on average as likely to build on existing international regulations as those designed before a crisis. We also find that international banking rules published after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis are an important exception.
Effects of velocity loss in the bench press exercise on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy
Authors: Pareja‐Blanco Fernando , Alcazar Julian , Cornejo‐Daza Pedro J , Sánchez‐Valdepeñas Juan , Rodriguez‐Lopez Carlos , Hidalgo‐de Mora Javier , Sánchez‐Moreno Miguel , Bachero‐Mena Beatriz , Alegre Luis M. , Ortega‐Becerra Manuel
Published: July 2020

Objective

This study aimed to compare the effects of four velocity‐based training (VBT) programs in bench press (BP) between a wide range of velocity loss (VL) thresholds—0% (VL0), 15% (VL15), 25% (VL25), and 50% (VL50)—on strength gains, neuromuscular adaptations, and muscle hypertrophy.

Methods

Sixty‐four resistance‐trained young men were randomly assigned into four groups (VL0, VL15, VL25, and VL50) that differed in the VL allowed in each set. Subjects followed a VBT program for 8‐weeks using the BP exercise. Before and after the VBT program the following tests were performed: (a) cross‐sectional area (CSA) measurements of pectoralis major (PM) muscle; (b) maximal isometric test; (c) progressive loading test; and (d) fatigue test.

Results

Significant group x time interactions were observed for CSA (P < .01) and peak root mean square in PM (peak RMS‐PM, P < .05). VL50 showed significantly greater gains in CSA than VL0 (P < .05). Only the VL15 group showed significant increases in peak RMS‐PM (P < .01). Moreover, only VL0 showed significant gains in the early rate of force development (RFD, P = .05), while VL25 and VL50 improved in the late RFD (P ≤ .01‐.05). No significant group × time interactions were found for any of the dynamic strength variables analyzed, although all groups showed significant improvements in all these parameters.

Conclusion

Higher VL thresholds allowed for a greater volume load which maximized muscle hypertrophy, whereas lower VL thresholds evoked positive neuromuscular‐related adaptations. No significant differences were found between groups for strength gains, despite the wide differences in the total volume accumulated by each group.
Comparative analysis of skin characteristics evaluation by a dermatologist and the Janus‐III measurement system
Authors: Leem Sangseob , Kim Seong Jin , Kim Yunkwan , Shin Joong‐Gon , Song Hae Jung , Lee Seo‐Gyeong , Seo Jung Yeon , Kim Kyunghoe , You Seung Won , Park Sun Gyoo , Kang Nae Gyu
Published: July 2020

Background

The Janus‐III measurement system evaluates the overall skin characteristics such as skin pore, wrinkle, sebum, porphyrin, skin pigmentation, and skin color using high‐resolution facial images. The values are measured from five different facial areas, namely, the forehead, nose, corner of/skin below the eyes, and cheeks. Owing to its convenience and diverse measuring characteristics, Janus‐III has been widely used in skin research and the cosmetic industry in Korea. In our previous study, we revealed the consistency and reliability of the system with repeatedly measured values. Its measuring performance was investigated statistically, but to make it more reliable for academic skin research, additional verification by a professional dermatologist is needed.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we conducted comparative analysis of three skin characteristics (pigmented spot, skin color, and eye wrinkle) by a dermatologist and the Janus‐III measurement system. We utilized 330 image data that were cropped from the whole facial images of 330 different participants to avoid correlation among the three measuring items. Pearson's correlation coefficient exhibited similar patterns between the system and the dermatologist's findings.

Results

The main finding of our study was that the measured value of skin characteristics by the Janus‐III system showed clear correlation with the values evaluated by a dermatologist, especially in a pigmented spot.

Conclusion

Therefore, it would be a plausible idea to consider the Janus‐III system for specialized research of skin characteristics even with a small sample size.
Genomic characterization of MICA gene using multiple next generation sequencing platforms: A validation study
Authors: Zou Yizhou , Duke Jamie L. , Ferriola Deborah , Luo Qizhi , Wasserman Jenna , Mosbruger Timothy L. , Luo Weiguang , Cai Liang , Zou Kevin , Tairis Nikolaos , Damianos Georgios , Pagkrati Ioanna , Kukuruga Debra , Huang Yanping , Monos Dimitri S.
Published: July 2020

We have developed a protocol regarding the genomic characterization of the MICA gene by next generation sequencing (NGS). The amplicon includes the full length of the gene and is about 13 kb. A total of 156 samples were included in the study. Ninety‐seven of these samples were previously characterized at MICA by legacy methods (Sanger or sequence specific oligonucleotide) and were used to evaluate the accuracy, precision, specificity, and sensitivity of the assay. An additional 59 DNA samples of unknown ethnicity volunteers from the United States were only genotyped by NGS. Samples were chosen to contain a diverse set of alleles. Our NGS approach included a first round of sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform and a second round of sequencing on the MinION platform by Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT), on selected samples for the purpose of either characterizing new alleles or setting phase among multiple polymorphisms to resolve ambiguities or generate complete sequence for alleles that were only partially reported in the IMGT/HLA database. Complete consensus sequences were generated for every allele sequenced with ONT, extending from the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) to the 3′ UTR of the MICA gene. Thirty‐two MICA sequences were submitted to the IMGT/HLA database including either new alleles or filling up the gaps (exonic, intronic and/or UTRs) of already reported alleles. Some of the challenges associated with the characterization of these samples are discussed.
Kidney transplantation during coronavirus 2019 pandemic at a large hospital in Miami
Authors: Chandorkar Aditya , Coro Ana , Natori Yoichiro , Anjan Shweta , Abbo Lilian M. , Guerra Giselle , Mattiazzi Adela D. , Mendez‐Castaner Lumen A. , Morris Michele I. , Camargo Jose F. , Vianna Rodrigo , Simkins Jacques
Published: July 2020

Background

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has resulted in more than 350 000 deaths worldwide. The number of kidney transplants has declined during the pandemic. We describe our deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDKT) experience during the pandemic.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the safety of DDKT during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Multiple preventive measures were implemented. Adult patients that underwent DDKT from 3/1/20 to 4/30/20 were included. COVID‐19 clinical manifestations from donors and recipients, and post‐transplant outcomes (COVID‐19 infections, readmissions, allograft rejection, and mortality) were obtained. The kidney transplant (KT) recipients were followed until 5/31/20.

Results

Seventy‐six patients received kidneys from 57 donors. Fever, dyspnea, and cough were reported in 1, 2, and 1 donor, respectively. Thirty‐eight (66.6%) donors were tested for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV2) prior to donation (mainly by nasopharyngeal or bronchoalveolar lavage polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and 36 (47.3%) KT recipients were tested at the time of DDKT by nasopharyngeal PCR; all of these were negative. Our recipients were followed for a median of 63 (range: 33‐91) days. A total of 42 (55.3%) recipients were tested post‐transplant for SARS‐CoV2 by nasopharyngeal PCR including 12 patients that became symptomatic; all tests were negative except for one that was inconclusive, but it was repeated and came back negative. Forty (52.6%) KT recipients were readmitted, and 7 (9.2%) had biopsy‐proven rejection during the follow‐up. None of the KT recipients transplanted during this period died.

Conclusions

Our cohort demonstrated that DDKT can be safely performed during the COVID‐19 pandemic when preventive measures are implemented.
Clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID‐19 pneumonia in kidney transplant recipients in Razi hospital, Rasht, Iran
Authors: Monfared Ali , Dashti‐Khavidaki Simin , Jafari Ramezan , Jafari Atefeh , Ramezanzade Elham , Lebadi Mohamad‐Kazem , Haghdar‐Saheli Yalda , Aghajanzadeh Pegah , Khosravi Masoud , Movassaghi Ali , Taghvaye‐Masoumi Hamidreza , Alavi Foumani Ali
Published: July 2020

Background

In late December 2019, a novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 started to spread around the world in different populations. Its clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcome in kidney transplant recipients are little known. Therefore, we describe 22 kidney transplant recipients with SARS‐CoV‐2–induced pneumonia.

Methods

All kidney transplant recipients who referred to the Razi Hospital of Rasht with a diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection from February 20 to 19th of April 2020 have been included in this observational study.

Results

We present 22 cases of COVID‐19 in kidney transplant recipients (median age 52 years [interquartile range 40.75‐62.75 years]) and baseline eGFR 60 (mL/min/1.73 m2) (44.75‐86.75). Patients complained of cough (72.7%), dyspnea (63.6%), fever (68.2%), and chill (72.7%) with greater prevalence. We decreased the dose of immunosuppression and started stress dose of intravenous hydrocortisone or equivalent oral prednisolone. Each patient received antiviral therapy based on the latest updated version of local protocol at the time of admission. CT scan findings in 90.9% of patients showed bilateral multifocal lesions. Acute kidney injury (AKI) was observed in 12 patients during hospitalization. Six patients died after a median of 12 days from admission (IQR, 1‐21).

Conclusions

In this small observational study, we observed high AKI occurrence and mortality rate in kidney transplant recipients with COVID‐19.
IVIg and hemolytic anemia risk: dump the anti‐A/B already!
Authors: Yazdanbakhsh Karina , Zhong Hui
Published: July 2020

See article on page 1381–1390, in this issue
Novel approaches to behavioral management of vasovagal reactions and donor recruitment: comment on “a randomized controlled trial of a table‐based intervention to address predonation fears among high school donors”
Authors: Ditto Blaine
Published: July 2020

See article on page 1450–1453, in this issue
The Level of Critical Thinking in Students of Education
Authors: Kosturková Martina
Published: July 2020

The ability to think critically is considered a key competence of the 21st century. Empirical findings are absent in Slovakia, therefore one of the goals of this work was to do research to determine the level of critical thinking in students of education. The statistic data was obtained through the analysis of the Watson-Glaser critical thinking assessment test. The sample consisted of 116 students of education at the Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences of University of Presov in Presov.
Researching the Effectiveness of Adult Education
Authors: Průcha Jan
Published: July 2020

The paper deals with the identification of real effects arising in adult education. The core question is whether various forms of adult education always produces any positive effects (benefits) and of which kind. The paper describes selected concepts of efectiveness of adult education and attempts to measure the effects, mainly of further professional education. Also, some rare sceptical opinions claiming the non-existence of effects in adult education are compared with empirical evidence of the effects.
Cognitive Training as a Determinant of Active Aging
Authors: Tokovská Miroslava
Published: July 2020

The concept of active aging is an ongoing challenge in lifelong learning worldwide. Memory training in the senior age is facing a significant progress and its application becomes a challenge for the following years of the 21st century. Paper presents the process of cognitive training in the concept of active aging and the results of research participants-graduates of a three-month training course focused on training of memory and movement.
Present and Future of the Senior Education in Slovakia
Authors: Selecký Erik
Published: July 2020

The main goal of this paper is to define the basic terms and functions in the field of seniors education. We analyse the Slovak Government politics concerning active aging and we relate it to economical issues. Another section focuses on senior education by means of the University of the Third Age in Slovakia. Actual statistics of the academic year 2012/2013 are provided here. In the final part, the present situation and the future of senior education in Slovakia are compared, and we also discuss the issue of new technologies in senior education.
Maltreatment of Seniors in the Second Decade of the 21st century
Authors: Balogová Beáta
Published: July 2020

The author points out the issue of abuse—violence against seniors related to the changes in post-modern society which creates place for this negative phenomenon to spread, by the atmosphere of fear, indifference or not adopting the principles of ethics and social policy. Despite the fact that in the second decade of the 21st century we have expected behavior based on morality and respect for the dignity of each individual, we see the opposite. Senior abuse could be defined as a systemic phenomenon of many dimensions, which belong in area of public and civic policies. This negative phenomenon is often associated with issues of dependency of seniors on help from their surrounding or dependency on social service. In this context we solve an issue of abuse in residential facilities.
Combination of quercetin and exercise training attenuates depression in rats with 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine‐induced colorectal cancer: Possible involvement of inflammation and BDNF signalling
Authors: Sadighparvar Shirin , Darband Saber Ghazizadeh , Yousefi Bahman , Kaviani Mojtaba , Ghaderi‐Pakdel Firouz , Mihanfar Ainaz , Babaei Ghader , Mobaraki Kazhal , Majidinia Maryam
Published: July 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the alleviative effects of the combination of exercise training and quercetin supplementation on colorectal cancer‐related depression in rats with 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine‐induced colorectal cancer and what is the corresponding signalling pathway?

What is the main finding and its importance?

We showed that the combination of exercise training and quercetin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in tumour incidence and improvement in depressive‐like behaviours through modulation of the BDNF/TrKβ/β‐catenin axis in the prefrontal cortex.

In addition to physical problems, depression is considered to be one of the most important challenges for patients with various types of cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. Inflammation and upregulation of brain neurotrophic factors are two major links between cancer and depression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the alleviative effects of quercetin and exercise training on depressive‐like behaviours in rats with 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH)‐induced colorectal cancer and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Animals were assigned into the following five groups: (i) control group; (ii) DMH (20 mg kg−1s.c., once a week for 10 weeks); (iii) DMH for 10 weeks, followed by quercetin (50 mg kg−1p.o., once per week) for 12 weeks; (iv) DMH for 10 weeks, followed by exercise training for 12 weeks; and (v) DMH for 10 weeks, followed by quercetin and exercise training for 12 weeks. The DMH‐treated rats showed an increase in depressive‐like behaviours in both open field and forced swimming tests. Histopathological examination revealed neural damage and reduced Nissl bodies in the prefrontal cortex. In addition, administration of DMH increased inflammatory cytokines in the serum, prefrontal cortex and tumour tissues and decreased the expression levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase β receptor (TrKβ) and β‐catenin in the cortex. In contrast, treatment with quercetin and exercise training effectively alleviated all the above‐mentioned DMH‐associated behavioural, biochemical and histopathological alterations without changing its anti‐tumour activity. Taken together, our results show that the combination of quercetin and exercise training exerts potent anti‐tumour and anti‐depressive effects through suppression of inflammation and upregulation of the BDNF/TrKβ/β‐catenin axis in the prefrontal cortex.
Mathematical Analysis of Some Reaction Networks Inducing Biological Growth/Decay Functions.
Authors: Tsocheva Ksenia Ivova
Published: July 2020

In this work, we study some characteristics of sigmoidal growth/decay functions that are solutions of dynamical systems. In addition, the studied dynamical systems have a realization in terms of reaction networks that are closely related to the Gompertzian and logistic type growth models. Apart from the growing species, the studied reaction networks involve an additional species interpreted as an environmental resource. The reaction network formulationВ of the proposed models hints forВ the intrinsic mechanism of the modeled growthВ process and can be used for analyzing evolutionaryВ measured data when testing various appropriateВ models, especially when studying growth processesВ in life sciences. TheВ proposed reaction network realization of GompertzВ growth model can be interpreted from the perspectiveВ of demographic and socio-economic sciences.В The reaction network approachВ clearly explains the intimate links between the GompertzВ model and the Verhulst logistic model.В There are shown reversible reactions which complete the already known non-reversible ones. It is also demonstrated that the proposed approach can be applied in oscillating processes and social-science events.В The paper is richly illustrated with numericalВ computations andВ computer simulations performed by algorithmsВ using the computer algebra systemВ  Mathematica.
In Memoriam: Prof. Roumen P. Maleev, August 17, 1943 - December 16, 2019
Authors: Markov Svetoslav Marinov
Published: July 2020

Roumen Petrov Maleev was born on August 17, 1943 in the city of Samokov, Bulgaria. He graduated from the Department of Mathematics at Bucurest University in 1967. In 1970 he was appointed as Assistant in the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Sofia University "St. Kl. Ohridski", where he became Associate Professor in 1983 and Full Professor in 2006.R. Maleev specialized in Moscow State University in the scholarly year 1971/72 and in Warsaw University in 1982 (February--April). He defended his PhD in Sofia University "St. Kl. Ohridski" in 1975 and his DSci dissertation in 1996 (also in Sofia University "St. Kl Ohridski"). During 1989-1995 he served as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of at Sofia University "St. Kl. Ohridski''. He has been Head of the Department of Mathematical Analysis of the Faculty (1998--2000) and member of the Specialized Scientific Council on Mathematics and Mechanics (1995--2004).Maleev delivered lecture courses as Visiting Professor in South Florida University in the summer term of 1991 and in the Athens University in May-June 1997. He also presented numerous lectures at various international conferences worldwide.The scientific interests of Prof. Maleev were in the fields of Geometry of Banach spaces, Functional Spaces and Operators, Variational Analysis, Mathematical Analysis, Education in Mathematics and Informatics, Numerical Analysis.
RidA Proteins Protect against Metabolic Damage by Reactive Intermediates
Authors: Irons Jessica L. , Hodge-Hanson Kelsey , Downs Diana M.
Published: July 2020

The Rid (YjgF/YER057c/UK114) protein superfamily was first defined by sequence homology with available protein sequences from bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes (L. Parsons, N. Bonander, E. Eisenstein, M. Gilson, et al., Biochemistry 42:80–89, 2003,
https://doi.org/10.1021/bi020541w
). The archetypal subfamily, RidA (reactive intermediate deaminase A), is found in all domains of life, with the vast majority of free-living organisms carrying at least one RidA homolog.
Using Fischer plots to identify third-order sequences in the Middle Devonian, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic strata of West Virginia
Authors: Wynn Thomas C. , Bloom Jennifer M.
Published: July 2020

This study examines the usefulness of accommodation plots (Fischer plots) as a means of correlating mixed carbonate-siliciclastic strata in the subsurface. Fischer plots have been widely used to extract accommodation changes from carbonate platforms, but there are few published studies of siliciclastic or mixed carbonate-siliciclastic environments. The Middle Devonian of the Appalachian Basin is penetrated by thousands of wells, is exposed in numerous exceptional outcrops, and is an excellent place to test the usefulness of accommodation history plots as correlation tools. In the past, researchers have used cores, well cuttings, well logs, and outcrop gamma-ray profiles to correlate between outcrop and subsurface data, but all these methods have their limitations. Gamma-ray logs for wells penetrating the Middle Devonian from eight locations, from Preston County in the east to Wetzel County, West Virginia, in the west, were used in this study. Accommodation cycle thicknesses were measured from gamma-ray logs, printed at a vertical scale of one inch per ten feet (2.5 cm/3 m). The accommodation cycle thickness data were entered into Antun Husinec’s FISCHERPLOTS program to produce accommodation plots. Next, well-documented, outcrop-based sequence stratigraphy was used to help interpret the results of the accommodation plots. This study demonstrates that using accommodation plots is a novel way of overcoming the uncertainties and biases of other methods. The use of this approach in other mixed carbonate-siliciclastic successions with abundant subsurface data would help to demonstrate that Fischer plots are a novel and useful approach that can help remove many of the uncertainties and biases encountered in stratigraphic correlation.
Femtoscopic correlations and the $$\varLambda _c N$$ interaction
Authors: Haidenbauer J. , Krein G. , Peixoto T. C.
Published: July 2020

We study the prospects for deducing constraints on the interaction of charmed baryons with nucleons from measurements of two-particle momentum correlation functions for $$\varLambda _c p$$

Λ
c

p

. The correlation functions are calculated for $$\varLambda _c N$$

Λ
c

N

and $$\varSigma _c N$$

Σ
c

N

interactions that have been extrapolated from lattice QCD simulations at unphysical masses of $$m_\pi =410-570$$

m
π

=
410
-
570

 MeV to the physical point using chiral effective field theory as guideline. In addition, we consider phenomenological $$Y_c N$$

Y
c

N

models from the literature to explore the sensitivity of the results to the properties of the interaction in detail. We find that a measurement of the $$\varLambda _c p$$

Λ
c

p

correlation functions could indeed allow one to discriminate between strongly attractive $$\varLambda _c N$$

Λ
c

N

forces, as predicted by some phenomenological models, and a weakly attractive interaction as suggested by the presently available lattice simulations.
Microstructure and alloy element distribution near the fusion line of aluminum alloy 6061 in laser wire-filling welding
Authors: Gao Qiyu , Zhan Xiaohong , Shen Honglie , Bu Hengchang , Ling Wanli , Yan Tingyan
Published: July 2020

Aluminum alloy 6061(AA6061) sheets of 4 mm in thickness are joined by laser wire-filling welding (LWFW) using the ER4047 welding wire. Microstructure and alloy element distributions near the fusion line are characterized and are investigated by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer. The results showed that the well-formed welded joints are obtained with a few thermal cracks near the fusion line. The coarse grain and a reduction in the weight ratio of magnesium to silicon can be observed, when the welding speed decreases under constant laser power. The thermal crack is caused by the decrease of the weight fraction of magnesium and the proportion of silicon content has an effect on the microhardness of welded joints. By properly controlling the welding speed, the various properties of AA6061 LWFW joints can be balanced.
The Riemann–Hilbert approach to focusing Kundu–Eckhaus equation with non-zero boundary conditions
Authors: Wen Li-Li , Fan En-Gui
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we investigate the focusing Kundu–Eckhaus equation with non-zero boundary conditions. An appropriate two-sheeted Riemann surface is introduced to map the spectral parameter [Formula: see text] into a single-valued parameter [Formula: see text]. Starting from the Lax pair of Kundu–Eckhaus equation, two kinds of Jost solutions are constructed. Further, their asymptotic, analyticity, symmetries as well as spectral matrix are analyzed in detail. It is shown that the solution of the Kundu–Eckhaus equation with non-zero boundary conditions can be characterized with a matrix Riemann–Hilbert problem. Then a formula of [Formula: see text]-soliton solutions is derived by solving the Riemann–Hilbert problem. As applications of the [Formula: see text]-soliton formula, the first-order explicit soliton solutions with different dynamical features are obtained and analyzed.