bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the relationship between arterial aortic stiffness and coronary slow flow that was detected during coronary angiography
Authors: Genc Tapar Gulsen , Elcik Deniz , Dogan Ali , Altunel Ebru , Inanc Mehmet Tugrul , Alcali Bilal , Boylug Sibel , Oguzhan Abdurrahman , Topsakal Ramazan , Ergin Ali , Kalay Nihat
Published: April 2020

Aim

Increased intimal thickness in coronary arteries, extensive calcification, and atheromatous plaque that does not cause luminal irregularities in a significant portion of the patients with coronary slow flow (CSF). Arterial stiffness is an indicator for atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate the relation between coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) and arterial stiffness.

Method

Total of 73 patients were included in the study, and a control group was formed with 64 individuals. Aortic stiffness index β (ASIβ) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were used as the determinant of arterial stiffness in all analyses.

Result

Pulse wave velocity values were significantly higher in the coronary slow flow group than the control group (P < .001). PWV, aortic stiffness index β (ASIβ) values were found to be significantly higher in the CSF group. ASIβ value was 3.4 ± 1.0 in CSF patients and 2.2 ± 0.6 in the control group (P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that PWV predicted coronary slow flow with 97% sensitivity and 90% specificity for 7.15 cutoff value. And aortic stiffness index was found to predict coronary slow flow with 83% sensitivity and 75% specificity for 2.63 cutoff value.

Conclusion

Our findings prove that coronary slow flow phenomenon should be considered a subgroup of coronary artery diseases and that increased PWV is an indicator of CSFP.
Our Italian experience using lung ultrasound for identification, grading and serial follow‐up of severity of lung involvement for management of patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Vetrugno Luigi , Bove Tiziana , Orso Daniele , Barbariol Federico , Bassi Flavio , Boero Enrico , Ferrari Giovanni , Kong Robert
Published: April 2020

Lung ultrasound (LU) has rapidly become a tool for assessment of patients stricken by the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19). Over the past two and a half months (January, February, and first half of March 2020) we have used this modality for identification of lung involvement along with pulmonary severity in patients with suspected or documented COVID‐19 infection. Use of LU has helped us in clinical decision making and reduced the use of both chest x‐rays and computed tomography (CT).
Silver‐spoon upbringing improves early‐life fitness but promotes reproductive ageing in a wild bird
Authors: Spagopoulou Foteini , Teplitsky Céline , Chantepie Stéphane , Lind Martin I. , Gustafsson Lars , Maklakov Alexei A.
Published: April 2020

Early‐life conditions can have long‐lasting effects and organisms that experience a poor start in life are often expected to age at a faster rate. Alternatively, individuals raised in high‐quality environments can overinvest in early‐reproduction resulting in rapid ageing. Here we use a long‐term experimental manipulation of early‐life conditions in a natural population of collared flycatchers (Ficedula albicollis), to show that females raised in a low‐competition environment (artificially reduced broods) have higher early‐life reproduction but lower late‐life reproduction than females raised in high‐competition environment (artificially increased broods). Reproductive success of high‐competition females peaked in late‐life, when low‐competition females were already in steep reproductive decline and suffered from a higher mortality rate. Our results demonstrate that ‘silver‐spoon’ natal conditions increase female early‐life performance at the cost of faster reproductive ageing and increased late‐life mortality. These findings demonstrate experimentally that natal environment shapes individual variation in reproductive and actuarial ageing in nature.
Double agents of cell death: novel emerging functions of apoptotic regulators
Authors: Lamb Heather M.
Published: April 2020

Apoptosis is a highly regulated form of cell death that is required for many homeostatic and pathological processes. Recently, alternative cell death pathways have emerged whose regulation is dependent on proteins with canonical functions in apoptosis. Dysregulation of apoptotic signaling frequently underlies the pathogenesis of many cancers, reinforcing the need to develop therapies that initiate alternative cell death processes. This review outlines the convergence points between apoptosis and other death pathways with the purpose of identifying novel strategies for the treatment of apoptosis‐refractory cancers. Apoptosis proteins can play key roles in the initiation, regulation, and execution of nonapoptotic death processes that include necroptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, mPTP‐mediated necrosis, and ferroptosis. Notably, recent evidence illustrates that dying cells can exhibit biochemical and molecular characteristics of more than one different type of regulated cell death. Thus, this review highlights the amazing complexity and interconnectivity of cell death processes and also raises the idea that a top‐to‐bottom approach to describing cell death mechanisms may be inadequate for fully understanding the means by which cells die.
Mechanisms of breakdown of Haematococcus pluvialis cell wall by ionic liquids, hydrochloric acid and multi‐enzyme treatment
Authors: Ye Zhang , Tan Xing‐He , Liu Zhi‐Wei , Aadil Rana Muhammad , Tan Yi‐Cheng , Inam‐ur‐Raheem Muhammad
Published: April 2020

The robust cell wall structure of Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) consists of polysaccharides and tough non‐hydrolysable sporopollenins, which makes it difficult to extract superpotent antioxidant, astaxanthin from these cells. Therefore, breakdown of cell wall is a key step in the overall process of astaxanthin recovery. In this study, the mechanism of three well‐established chemical techniques for cell disruption of H. pluvialis cysts [ionic liquids (IL), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and multiple enzymes (multi‐enzyme, ME)] on deconstruction of the cyst cell wall of H. pluvialis was explored and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analyses. The results demonstrated that the three cell wall breakdown techniques exhibited high extraction efficacies for the recovery of astaxanthin from H. pluvialis [IL (86.71 ± 2.06%), HCl (80.52 ± 2.28%) and ME (71.08 ± 2.49%)]. However, their performances on disrupting the trilayered cell walls of H. pluvialis were significantly different, which were confirmed by distinct morphologies of the treated cell walls visualised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Meanwhile, the results of FTIR confirmed that, to some extent, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in the cell walls were hydrolysed by HCl, IL and ME treatments. However, ME exhibited a less hydrolytic effect on lignin than HCl and IL. Moreover, XRD and NMR analyses implied that the amorphous region of cell wall was susceptible to hydrolysis/breakdown by the three techniques.
Cryoballoon ablation for pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Andrade Jason G.
Published: April 2020

Over the past 20 years, multiple studies have demonstrated the superiority of percutaneous catheter‐based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Unfortunately, the results of catheter ablation can be limited by arrhythmia recurrence, which is often a result of a failure to achieve durable lesions around the pulmonary vein ostia. In response, significant efforts have been directed toward developing technologies to achieve safer and more durable PVI, including the development of dedicated catheters capable of achieving PVI with a single ablation lesion (eg, the Arctic Front Cryoballoon; Medtronic CryoCath, Pointe‐Claire, Canada). The purpose of this review is to discuss the contemporary role of cryoballoon ablation in the invasive management of AF, with a focus on the characteristics that differentiate cryoballoon from radiofrequency ablation.
Effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardiac remodelling and skeletal muscle oxidative stress of infarcted rats
Authors: Gomes Mariana J. , Pagan Luana U. , Lima Aline R. R. , Reyes David R. A. , Martinez Paula F. , Damatto Felipe C. , Pontes Thierres H. D. , Rodrigues Eder A. , Souza Lidiane M. , Tosta Ingrid F. , Fernandes Ana A. H. , Zornoff Leonardo A. M. , Okoshi Katashi , Okoshi Marina P.
Published: April 2020

We compared the influence of aerobic and resistance exercise on cardiac remodelling, physical capacity and skeletal muscle oxidative stress in rats with MI‐induced heart failure. Three months after MI induction, Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Sham; sedentary MI (S‐MI); aerobic exercised MI (A‐MI); and resistance exercised MI (R‐MI). Exercised rats trained three times a week for 12 weeks on a treadmill or ladder. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA or Kruskal‐Wallis test. Functional aerobic capacity was greater in A‐MI and strength gain higher in R‐MI. Echocardiographic parameters did not differ between infarct groups. Reactive oxygen species production, evaluated by fluorescence, was higher in S‐MI than Sham, and lipid hydroperoxide concentration was lower in A‐MI than the other groups. Glutathione peroxidase activity was higher in A‐MI than S‐MI and R‐MI. Superoxide dismutase was lower in S‐MI than Sham and R‐MI. Gastrocnemius cross‐sectional area, satellite cell activation and expression of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system proteins did not differ between groups. In conclusion, aerobic exercise and resistance exercise improve functional capacity and maximum load carrying, respectively, without changing cardiac remodelling in infarcted rats. In the gastrocnemius, infarction increases oxidative stress and changes antioxidant enzyme activities. Aerobic exercise reduces oxidative stress and attenuates superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase changes.
cMet agonistic antibody attenuates apoptosis in ischaemia‐reperfusion–induced kidney injury
Authors: An Jung Nam , Li Lilin , Lee Junghun , Yu Seung‐Shin , Lee Jeonghwan , Kim Yong Chul , Kim Dong Ki , Oh Yun Kyu , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Yon Su , Kim Sunyoung , Yang Seung Hee , Lee Jung Pyo
Published: April 2020

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a very common complication with high morbidity and mortality rates and no fundamental treatment. In this study, we investigated whether the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/cMet pathway is associated with the development of AKI and how the administration of a cMet agonistic antibody (Ab) affects an AKI model. In the analysis using human blood samples, cMet and HGF levels were found to be significantly increased in the AKI group, regardless of underlying renal function. The administration of a cMet agonistic Ab improved the functional and histological changes after bilateral ischaemia‐reperfusion injury. TUNEL‐positive cells and Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio were also reduced by cMet agonistic Ab treatment. In addition, cMet agonistic Ab treatment significantly increased the levels of PI3K, Akt and mTOR. Furthermore, after 24 hours of hypoxia induction in human proximal tubular epithelial cells, treatment with the cMet agonistic Ab also showed dose‐dependent antiapoptotic effects similar to those of the recombinant HGF treatment. Even when the HGF axis was blocked with a HGF‐blocking Ab, the cMet agonistic Ab showed an independent dose‐dependent antiapoptotic effect. In conclusion, cMet expression is associated with the occurrence of AKI. cMet agonistic Ab treatment attenuates the severity of AKI through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and improves apoptosis. cMet agonistic Ab may have important significance for the treatment of AKI.
Selection of sustainable juice extraction techniques for non‐centrifugal sugar industry using multi‐criteria decision‐making methods
Authors: Beeram Sravya , M Srinivas , Raj SP , K.S Reddy
Published: April 2020

Non‐centrifugal sugar (NCS) industry is one of the oldest small‐scale cottage industries in India, with crude and inferior production techniques. Toward transforming these inferior techniques for the sustenance of NCS industry, it is necessary to select sustainable methods among the existing technologies at various stages in the production process. In the production of NCS, juice extraction is the primary and essential process. The present article gives an insight in selecting a sustainable juice extraction technology using various decision approaches. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) integrated multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) is the decision approaches used for selecting the appropriate juice extraction technique among 6 alternatives based on 11 criteria covering various sustainable factors. Through this MCDM approach, it was obtained that crusher with single horizontal roller that uses electrical motor without any usage of hot water is the most sustainable juice extraction method for NCS production in plant mode with 1.38 group priority weight. On the other hand, crusher with single vertical roller that runs on electrical energy without usage of hot water and crusher with single horizontal roller that runs on diesel engines without the usage of hot water is a comparatively least preferred alternative for NCS production with 3.33 and 3.39 group priority weight, respectively.

Practical Applications

This article narrates the novel work undertaken to identify a sustainable crushing technology for extracting sugarcane juice to produce non‐centrifugal sugar.

The analysis is carried out to select the most appropriate technology among 6 crushing technologies based on 11 evaluation criteria spreading across various aspects of sustainability.

The analysis used three multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) methods namely TOPSIS, PROMETHEE, and VIKOR.

Based on this analysis it is found that single horizontal crusher that run on electricity without the use of hot water (SHEN) is the best juice extraction technology.

Hence, this technology could be used by the non‐centrifugal sugar (NCS) industry to produce NCS in a sustainable way.

Further, the methodology presented in this article, demonstrates the use of such methods to identify the better processes/subprocesses to produce NCS in a sustainable way.
SHY2 as a node in the regulation of root meristem development by auxin, brassinosteroids, and cytokinin
Authors: Li Taotao , Kang Xinke , Lei Wei , Yao Xiuhong , Zou Lijuan , Zhang Dawei , Lin Honghui
Published: April 2020

In multicellular organisms, the balance between cell division and differentiation determines organ size, and represents a central unknown in developmental biology. In Arabidopsis roots, this balance is mediated between cytokinin and auxin through a regulatory circuit converging on the IAA3/SHORT HYPOCOTYL 2 (SHY2) gene. Here, we show that crosstalk between brassinosteroids (BRs) and auxin occurs in the vascular transition zone to promote root meristem development. We found that BR increases root meristem size by up‐regulating expression of the PINFORMED 7 (PIN7) gene and down‐regulating expression of the SHY2 gene. In addition, BES1 could directly bind to the promoter regions of both PIN7 and SHY2, indicating that PIN7 and SHY2 mediate the BR‐induced growth of the root meristem by serving as direct targets of BES1. Moreover, the PIN7 overexpression and loss‐of‐function SHY2 mutant were sensitive to the effects of BR and could partially suppress the short‐root phenotypes associated with deficient BR signaling. Interestingly, BRs could inhibit the accumulation of SHY2 protein in response to cytokinin. Taken together, these findings suggest that a complex equilibrium model exists in which regulatory interactions among BRs, auxin, and cytokinin regulate optimal root growth.
Humor and Persuasion: The Effects of Laughter during US Supreme Court's Oral Arguments
Authors: Li Siyu , Pryor Tom
Published: April 2020

Is the decision‐making of Supreme Court justices influenced by extraneous factors beyond law and policy? We explore this question by examining attorney‐induced laughter during oral arguments in cases heard by the Court. Drawing on theories of political psychology and social cognition, we posit that laughter serves as a positive affective cue that might favorably dispose justices (albeit subconsciously) to the side causing the laughter. Analyzing oral argument transcripts during the 1986–93 terms, we find that the side causing more instances of laughter is more likely to win the votes of individual justices, even while controlling for other legally and politically relevant factors. We further find that the effect of laughter is conditional—it exerts a heightened persuasive power on ideologically congruent justices, in noncomplex cases, and when the legal argumentation is of higher quality. Our research thus contributes to the growing literature on personal and emotional aspects of judicial decision‐making and, specifically, the emerging scholarly interest in the role of humor during Supreme Court oral arguments.
The TraK accessory factor activates substrate transfer through the pKM101 type IV secretion system independently of its role in relaxosome assembly
Authors: Li Yang Grace , Christie Peter J.
Published: April 2020

A large subfamily of the type IV secretion systems (T4SSs), termed the conjugation systems, transmit mobile genetic elements (MGEs) among many bacterial species. In the initiating steps of conjugative transfer, DNA transfer and replication (Dtr) proteins assemble at the origin‐of‐transfer (oriT) sequence as the relaxosome, which nicks the DNA strand destined for transfer and couples the nicked substrate with the VirD4‐like substrate receptor. Here, we defined contributions of the Dtr protein TraK, a predicted member of the Ribbon‐Helix‐Helix (RHH) family of DNA‐binding proteins, to transfer of DNA and protein substrates through the pKM101‐encoded T4SS. Using a combination of cross‐linking/affinity pull‐downs and two‐hybrid assays, we determined that TraK self‐associates as a probable tetramer and also forms heteromeric contacts with pKM101‐encoded TraI relaxase, VirD4‐like TraJ receptor, and VirB11‐like and VirB4‐like ATPases, TraG and TraB, respectively. TraK also promotes stable TraJ–TraB complex formation and stimulates binding of TraI with TraB. Finally, TraK is required for or strongly stimulates the transfer of cognate (pKM101, TraI relaxase) and noncognate (RSF1010, MobA relaxase) substrates. We propose that TraK functions not only to nucleate pKM101 relaxosome assembly, but also to activate the TrapKM101 T4SS via interactions with the ATPase energy center positioned at the channel entrance.
Beyond natural: synthetic expansions of botanical form and function
Authors: Patron Nicola J.
Published: April 2020

Powered by developments that enabled genome‐scale investigations, systems biology emerged as a field aiming to understand how phenotypes emerge from network functions. These advances fuelled a new engineering discipline focussed on synthetic reconstructions of complex biological systems with the goal of predictable rational design and control. Initially, progress in the nascent field of synthetic biology was slow due to the ad hoc nature of molecular biology methods such as cloning. The application of engineering principles such as standardisation, together with several key technical advances, enabled a revolution in the speed and accuracy of genetic manipulation. Combined with mathematical and statistical modelling, this has improved the predictability of engineering biological systems of which nonlinearity and stochasticity are intrinsic features leading to remarkable achievements in biotechnology as well as novel insights into biological function. In the past decade, there has been slow but steady progress in establishing foundations for synthetic biology in plant systems. Recently, this has enabled model‐informed rational design to be successfully applied to the engineering of plant gene regulation and metabolism. Synthetic biology is now poised to transform the potential of plant biotechnology. However, reaching full potential will require conscious adjustments to the skillsets and mind sets of plant scientists.
Exploring folds, evolution and host interactions: understanding effector structure/function in disease and immunity
Authors: Mukhi Nitika , Gorenkin Danylo , Banfield Mark J.
Published: April 2020

Over the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in plant pathology, broadening our understanding of how pathogens colonize their hosts. To manipulate host cell physiology and subvert plant immune responses, pathogens secrete an array of effector proteins. A co‐evolutionary arms‐race drives the pathogen to constantly reinvent its effector repertoire to undermine plant immunity. In turn, hosts develop novel immune receptors to maintain effector recognition and mount defences. Understanding how effectors promote disease and how they are perceived by the plant's defence network persist as major subjects in the study of plant–pathogen interactions. Here, we focus on recent advances (over roughly the last two years) in understanding structure/function relationships in effectors from bacteria and filamentous plant pathogens. Structure/function studies of bacterial effectors frequently uncover diverse catalytic activities, while structure‐informed similarity searches have enabled cataloguing of filamentous pathogen effectors. We also suggest how such advances have informed the study of plant–pathogen interactions.
Hybrid breeding for biomass yield in winter triticale: II. Combining ability and hybrid prediction
Authors: Trini Johannes , Maurer Hans Peter , Weissmann Sigrid , Würschum Tobias
Published: April 2020

Accurate hybrid prediction and knowledge about the relative contribution of general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) are of utmost importance for efficient hybrid breeding. We therefore evaluated 91 triticale single‐cross hybrids in field trials at seven environments for plant height, heading time, fresh biomass, dry matter content and dry biomass. Fresh and dry biomass showed the highest proportion (23%) of variance due to SCA. Prediction accuracies based on GCA were slightly higher than based on mid‐parent values. Utilizing parental kinship information yielded the highest prediction accuracies when both parental lines have been tested in other hybrid combinations, but still moderate‐to‐low prediction accuracies for two untested parents. Thus, hybrid prediction for biomass traits in triticale is currently promising based on mid‐parent values as emphasized by our simulation study, but can be expected to shift to GCA‐based prediction with an increasing importance of GCA due to selection in hybrid breeding. Moreover, the performance of potential hybrids between newly developed lines can be predicted with moderate accuracy using genomic relationship information.
Role of ventilatory control instability in children with sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Siriwardhana Leon S. , Weichard Aidan , Nixon Gillian M. , Davey Margot J. , Walter Lisa M. , Edwards Bradley A. , Horne Rosemary S.C.
Published: April 2020

The role of physiological traits such as ventilatory control instability in children with SDB is currently unclear. Our study indicates that altered ventilatory control sensitivity may contribute to SDB in a subgroup of children, depending on their degree of upper airway anatomical compromise.

See related Editorial
Computationally efficient familywise error rate control in genome‐wide association studies using score tests for generalized linear models
Authors: Halle Kari Krizak , Bakke Øyvind , Djurovic Srdjan , Bye Anja , Ryeng Einar , Wisløff Ulrik , Andreassen Ole A. , Langaas Mette
Published: April 2020

In genetic association studies, detecting phenotype–genotype association is a primary goal. We assume that the relationship between the data—phenotype, genetic markers and environmental covariates—can be modeled by a generalized linear model. The number of markers is allowed to be far greater than the number of individuals of the study. A multivariate score statistic is used to test each marker for association with a phenotype. We assume that the test statistics asymptotically follow a multivariate normal distribution under the complete null hypothesis of no phenotype–genotype association. We present the familywise error rate order k approximation method to find a local significance level (alternatively, an adjusted p‐value) for each test such that the familywise error rate is controlled. The special case k=1 gives the Šidák method. As a by‐product, an effective number of independent tests can be defined. Furthermore, if environmental covariates and genetic markers are uncorrelated, or no environmental covariates are present, we show that covariances between score statistics depend on genetic markers alone. This not only leads to more efficient calculations but also to a local significance level that is determined only by the collection of markers used, independent of the phenotypes and environmental covariates of the experiment at
hand.
Statistical inference for multiple change‐point models
Authors: Wang Wu , He Xuming , Zhu Zhongyi
Published: April 2020

In this article, we propose a new technique for constructing confidence intervals for the mean of a noisy sequence with multiple change‐points. We use the weighted bootstrap to generalize the bootstrap aggregating or bagging estimator. A standard deviation formula for the bagging estimator is introduced, based on which smoothed confidence intervals are constructed. To further improve the performance of the smoothed interval for weak signals, we suggest a strategy of adaptively choosing between the percentile intervals and the smoothed intervals. A new intensity plot is proposed to visualize the pattern of the change‐points. We also propose a new change‐point estimator based on the intensity plot, which has superior performance in comparison with the state‐of‐the‐art segmentation methods. The finite sample performance of the confidence intervals and the change‐point estimator are evaluated through Monte Carlo studies and illustrated with a real data example.
Collecting and evaluating convalescent plasma for COVID‐19 treatment: why and how?
Authors: Tiberghien Pierre , de Lamballerie Xavier , Morel Pascal , Gallian Pierre , Lacombe Karine , Yazdanpanah Yazdan
Published: April 2020

Plasma provided by COVID‐19 convalescent patients may provide therapeutic relief as the number of COVID‐19 cases escalates steeply worldwide. Prior findings in various viral respiratory diseases including SARS‐CoV‐related pneumonia suggest that convalescent plasma can reduce mortality, although formal proof of efficacy is still lacking. By reducing viral spread early on, such an approach may possibly downplay subsequent immunopathology. Identifying, collecting, qualifying and preparing plasma from convalescent patients with adequate SARS‐CoV‐2‐neutralizing Ab titres in an acute crisis setting may be challenging, although well within the remit of most blood establishments. Careful clinical evaluation should allow to quickly establish whether such passive immunotherapy, administered at early phases of the disease in patients at high risk of deleterious evolution, may reduce the frequency of patient deterioration, and thereby COVID‐19 mortality.
Dynamic Analysis of Tram Vehicles Coupled With the Track System Based on Staggered Iterative Algorithm
Authors: Shan Yao , Wang Binglong , Zhou Shunhua , Zhang Jiawei , Huang Aijun
Published: April 2020

In recent years, a large number of tram–tracks have been constructed in typical soft soil area of China. Infrastructure defects due to the differential foundation settlement are serious issues in this area. To ensure the operation safety of the tram, the influence of different infrastructure defects on the dynamic response of the tram–track system has been investigated in this paper. A dynamic model of a five-module 100% low-floor tram vehicle coupled with a slab track system is developed based on a finite element (FE) method and multibody kinematics. The articulation between different vehicle modules, the wheel–rail nonlinear contact, pad failures, and a cavity in the subgrade have been taken into account in this model. The dynamic response of the vehicle–track coupling system to different operation speeds and infrastructure defects are calculated. Results indicate that the vibration energy of the vehicle body is mainly distributed in the frequency range below 1.5 Hz. This frequency range should be paid special attention in the durability design for the vehicle structure. When the number of the failure pads is larger than 3, the pad failure in tram–track has significant influence on the system dynamic response. A cavity in subgrade has a limited effect on high frequency vibrations (above 100 Hz) of the rail, while the low frequency vibrations (below 75 Hz) of the rail can be obviously increased by cavities in subgrade. The model can be used in the optimization of suspension parameters and the tram vehicle–track coupled vibration analysis.
Consultancy Under Pressure: Intervening in the “Here and Now” With an Elite Golfer
Authors: Pates John , Kingston Kieran
Published: April 2020

This case study is a reflective account of a consultation with a 30-year-old male professional golfer. The approach by the player was made on the evening prior to the final round of a European Tour event, needing a top-20 finish on the final day of the tournament year. Failure to achieve this objective would have resulted in forfeiting of his playing privileges on the PGA European Tour for the following season, with the associated loss of income and, in this case, genuine threats to his livelihood. The consultant used a number of interventions (e.g., best-performance imagery, external focus of attention, hypnosis, and music) and an approach established in humanistic, phenomenological, and transpersonal psychology. Effectiveness was determined by performance and the player’s descriptions of his transcendental experience. The client provided social validation for the consultation approach and the intervention through his reflections. The intervention in this case appeared to elevate positive emotions and trigger a transcendental precursor to peak performance. While this type of intervention may provide immediate performance benefits for golfers experiencing low self-confidence, the case study also illustrates how consultants are often asked to support athletes under severe time constraints.
Playing with or without Politics: Studying the Position of East Germany within the FIS and FIFA from a Long-Term Perspective (1924–1962)
Authors: Vonnard Philippe , Cala Sébastien
Published: April 2020

The present paper looks at the different positions two major international sport federations, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), took with respect to East Germany during the 1950s. Because these positions were greatly influenced by FIFA’s and the FIS’s prior relations with Germany and by the challenges posed by global politics, this study begins by examining these relations during the interwar period. By combining information from the FIFA, FIS, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) archives with documents from the German national archives and articles published in Switzerland’s sporting press, the authors were able to highlight differences between the two federations’ approaches and show the need for studies to go beyond an IOC-centric approach.
United States strains to act as cases set record
Authors:   Science News Staff
Published: April 2020

Conflicting messages, lack of coordination plague chaotic efforts to slow coronavirus.
The things we make that make us who we are
The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another
Ainissa Ramirez
MIT Press, 2020. 328 pp.
Authors: Miodownik Mark
Published: April 2020

Our cultural values get baked into the materials we create, changing humanity along the way
Colonizing the final frontier
Spacefarers: How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond
Christopher Wanjek
Harvard University Press, 2020. 400 pp.
Authors: Munns David P. D.
Published: April 2020

Commercial interest in space is high, and the technology to get us there is nearly ready
Revealing animal emotions
Authors: Girard Benoit , Bellone Camilla
Published: April 2020

Facial expressions in mice are detected and classified by machine learning
Pharmacodynamics of Cefepime Combined with the Novel Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase (ESBL) Inhibitor Enmetazobactam for Murine Pneumonia Caused by ESBL-Producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Johnson Adam , McEntee Laura , Farrington Nicola , Kolamunnage-Dona Ruwanthi , Franzoni Samantha , Vezzelli Alberto , Massimiliano Mameli , Knechtle Philipp , Belley Adam , Dane Aaron , Drusano George , Das Shampa , Hope William
Published: April 2020

Klebsiella pneumoniae
strains that produce extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) are a persistent public health threat. There are relatively few therapeutic options, and there is undue reliance on carbapenems. Alternative therapeutic options are urgently required. A combination of cefepime and the novel beta lactamase inhibitor enmetazobactam is being developed for the treatment of serious infections caused by ESBL-producing organisms. The pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) of cefepime-enmetazobactam against ESBL-producing
K. pneumoniae
was studied in a neutropenic murine pneumonia model.
Beta Human Papillomavirus 8E6 Attenuates LATS Phosphorylation after Failed Cytokinesis
Authors: Dacus Dalton , Cotton Celeste , McCallister Tristan X. , Wallace Nicholas A.
Published: April 2020

β-HPVs contribute to cSCC development in immunocompromised populations. However, it is unclear if these common cutaneous viruses are tumorigenic in the general population. Thus, a more thorough investigation of β-HPV biology is warranted. If β-HPV infections do promote cSCCs, they are hypothesized to destabilize the cellular genome.
In vitro
data support this idea by demonstrating the ability of the β-HPV E6 protein to disrupt DNA repair signaling events following UV exposure. We show that β-HPV E6 more broadly impairs cellular signaling, indicating that the viral protein dysregulates the HP. The HP protects genome fidelity by regulating cell growth and apoptosis in response to a myriad of deleterious stimuli, including failed cytokinesis. After failed cytokinesis, β-HPV 8E6 attenuates phosphorylation of the HP kinase (LATS). This decreases some, but not all, HP signaling events. Notably, β-HPV 8E6 does not limit senescence associated with failed cytokinesis.
Cost-effectiveness of strategies preventing late-onset infection in preterm infants
Authors: Grosso Alessandro , Neves de Faria Rita Isabel , Bojke Laura , Donohue Chloe , Fraser Caroline Isabel , Harron Katie L , Oddie Sam J , Gilbert Ruth
Published: April 2020

Objective

Developing a model to analyse the cost-effectiveness of interventions preventing late-onset infection (LOI) in preterm infants and applying it to the evaluation of anti-microbial impregnated peripherally inserted central catheters (AM-PICCs) compared with standard PICCs (S-PICCs).

Design

Model-based cost-effectiveness analysis, using data from the Preventing infection using Antimicrobial Impregnated Long Lines (PREVAIL) randomised controlled trial linked to routine healthcare data, supplemented with published literature. The model assumes that LOI increases the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI).

Setting

Neonatal intensive care units in the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Patients

Infants born ≤32 weeks gestational age, requiring a 1 French gauge PICC.

Interventions

AM-PICC and S-PICC.

Main outcome measures

Life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and healthcare costs over the infants’ expected lifetime.

Results

Severe NDI reduces life expectancy by 14.79 (95% CI 4.43 to 26.68; undiscounted) years, 10.63 (95% CI 7.74 to 14.02; discounted) QALYs and costs £19 057 (95% CI £14 197; £24697; discounted) to the NHS. If LOI causes NDI, the maximum acquisition price of an intervention reducing LOI risk by 5% is £120. AM-PICCs increase costs (£54.85 (95% CI £25.95 to £89.12)) but have negligible impact on health outcomes (−0.01 (95% CI −0.09 to 0.04) QALYs), compared with S-PICCs. The NHS can invest up to £2.4 million in research to confirm that AM-PICCs are not cost-effective.

Conclusions

The model quantifies health losses and additional healthcare costs caused by NDI and LOI during neonatal care. Given these consequences, interventions preventing LOI, even by a small extent, can be cost-effective. AM-PICCs, being less effective and more costly than S-PICC, are not likely to be cost-effective.

Trial registration number

NCT03260517.
Economic evaluation alongside the Speed of Increasing milk Feeds Trial (SIFT)
Authors: Tahir Warda , Monahan Mark , Dorling Jon , Hewer Oliver , Bowler Ursula , Linsell Louise , Partlett Christopher , Berrington Janet Elizabeth , Boyle Elaine , Embleton Nicolas , Johnson Samantha , Leaf Alison , McCormick Kenny , McGuire William , Stenson Ben J , Juszczak Ed , Roberts Tracy E
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of two rates of enteral feed advancement (18 vs 30 mL/kg/day) in very preterm and very low birth weight infants.

Design

Within-trial economic evaluation alongside a multicentre, two-arm parallel group, randomised controlled trial (Speed of Increasing milk Feeds Trial).

Setting

55 UK neonatal units from May 2013 to June 2015.

Patients

Infants born <32 weeks’ gestation or <1500 g, receiving less than 30 mL/kg/day of milk at trial enrolment. Infants with a known severe congenital anomaly, no realistic chance of survival, or unlikely to be traceable for follow-up, were ineligible.

Interventions

When clinicians were ready to start advancing feed volumes, infants were randomised to receive daily increments in feed volume of 30 mL/kg (intervention) or 18 mL/kg (control).

Main outcome measure

Cost per additional survivor without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disability at 24 months of age corrected for prematurity.

Results

Average costs per infant were slightly higher for faster feeds compared with slower feeds (mean difference £267, 95% CI −6928 to 8117). Fewer infants achieved the principal outcome of survival without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental disability at 24 months in the faster feeds arm (802/1224 vs 848/1246). The stochastic cost-effectiveness analysis showed a likelihood of worse outcomes for faster feeds compared with slower feeds.

Conclusions

The stochastic cost-effectiveness analysis shows faster feeds are broadly equivalent on cost grounds. However, in terms of outcomes at 24 months age (corrected for prematurity), faster feeds are harmful. Faster feeds should not be recommended on either cost or effectiveness grounds to achieve the primary outcome.
Development and internal validation of a multimorbidity index that predicts healthcare utilisation using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Wang Zhuoyu , Boulanger Laurence , Berger David , Gaudreau Pierrette , Marrie Ruth Ann , Potter Brian , Wister Andrew , Wolfson Christina , Lefebvre Genevieve , Sylvestre Marie-Pierre , Keezer M
Published: April 2020

Objectives

We aimed to develop and internally validate a measure of multimorbidity burden using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA).

Design

Data from 40 264 CLSA participants (52% men) aged 45–85 years (a mean of 63 years) were analysed. We used logistic regression models to predict overnight hospitalisation in the last 12 months in the development dataset (random two-thirds of the total) and used these to construct 10 multimorbidity indices (5 models, each treated with and without an age interaction term). Thirty-five chronic conditions were considered for inclusion in these models, in addition to age and sex. We assessed predictive and convergent validity for these 10 different multimorbidity indices in the validation dataset (remaining one-third of the total).

Results

The absolute count of chronic conditions plus an interaction with age, displayed strong calibration properties, outperforming other candidate indices. Discrimination was modest for all of the indices that we internally validated, with C-statistics ranging from 0.66 to 0.68. The indices showed weak correlations (ie, convergent validity) with satisfaction with life, functional disability and mental health (absolute Pearson’s correlation coefficients ranging from 0.11 to 0.30) but generally moderate correlations with self-rated general health (0.32–0.45).

Conclusions

We investigated alternative methods to measure the multimorbidity burden of individuals, tailored to the CLSA. Our findings show that an absolute count of conditions, along with an age interaction term, has the strongest calibration for overnight hospitalisation in the last 12 months. The utility of an age interaction term in measuring multimorbidity burden may be applicable to the study of chronic disease in cohorts other than the CLSA.
Impact of physical exercise intervention and PPARγ genetic polymorphisms on cardio-metabolic parameters among a Chinese youth population
Authors: Su Juan , Wang Hui , Tian Yuanrui , Hu Haixu , Gu Wanjian , Zhang Ting , Li Mengxia , Shen Chong , Gu Harvest F
Published: April 2020

Objective

Physical inactivity inChinese youth students particularly in senior high schools, who participate inthe National Higher Education Entrance Examination (NCEE) is very common. Inorder to explore the beneficial effects from physical exercise and education afterNCEE, we performed aPhysicalexerciseInterventionProgram in theYouth (PiPy) to evaluate the interaction withPPARγgenetic variants on cardiovascular and metabolicparameters.

Methods

A total of 772 freshmen (males 610/females162) from high schools to university were recruited into the PiPy cohort, which was designedaccording to the National Student Health Standards in China. Anthropometric data were collected, whilephysical activities and body composition at the baseline of PiPy cohort weremeasured with SECAprotocols. Eighttagged single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in thePPARγgene were genotyped with TaqMan allelicdiscrimination.

Results

After physical exercise intervention forthree months, in parallel with increased physical activities, BMI and skeletalmuscle content in all subjects was enhanced, while heart rate and bloodpressures were decreased. Furthermore, SNPs in 5’-UTR of thePPARγgene, including rs2920502,rs9817428 and rs2972164, were found to be associated with the changes of BMI.Body weight in the subjects with BMI <18.5and 18.5-23.9 kg/m2were increased,while the obese subjects (BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2) decreased.

Conclusion

The present study for the first timedemonstrated that the PiPy could improve cardio-metabolic parameters such asheart rate, blood pressures and BMI for Chinese youth students after NCEE, inwhich the genetic interactive effects ofPPARγshould be included into obesityintervention.
Tailoring lifestyle programmes for diabetes prevention for US South Asians
Authors: Weber Mary Beth , Hennink Monique M , Narayan K M Venkat
Published: April 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to develop and test the feasibility of a culturally tailored Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP) for US South Asians, a large population with high diabetes risk.

Design

The South Asian Health and Prevention Education (SHAPE) study included: (1) focus group discussions with South Asian adults to understand views of lifestyle behaviours and diabetes prevention; (2) modification of the US DPP for South Asians and (3) a pilot, pre–post study to test the feasibility and impact of delivering the culturally tailored programme.

Setting

The study was conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Focus group discussions and intervention classes were held at locations within the community (eg, South Asian restaurants, a public library, university classrooms, a South Asian owned physical therapy studio).

Participants

The focus group discussions (n=17 with 109 individuals) included adults aged 25 years of older who self-identified as South Asian. Groups were stratified by age (25–40 years or older than 40 years) and sex. The SHAPE pilot study included 17 (76.5% male with a mean age of 46.9±12 years) South Asian adults aged 25 years or older with pre-diabetes and body mass index (BMI) >22 kg/m2.

Results

Formative data from 17 focus group discussions and a community board guided the modification of the DPP curriculum to reflect cultural food preferences and include tools to leverage social support, create a stronger foundation in exercise and overcome culturally specific barriers. The SHAPE pilot study included 17 South Asian adults with pre-diabetes and BMI >22 kg/m2. There were positive changes in participants’ weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma lipids, HbA1c and other cardiometabolic markers postintervention and 55% of participants regressed to normoglycaemia.

Conclusion

These results provide important information on the barriers faced by US South Asians in participating in ‘standard’ lifestyle change programs, indicate the feasibility of culturally tailored programmes and show positive impact of a culturally tailored programme for diabetes prevention in the South Asian population.
Differential inflammasome activation predisposes to acute-on-chronic liver failure in human and experimental cirrhosis with and without previous decompensation
Authors: Monteiro Sofia , Grandt Josephine , Uschner Frank Erhard , Kimer Nina , Madsen Jan Lysgård , Schierwagen Robert , Klein Sabine , Welsch Christoph , Schäfer Liliana , Jansen Christian , Claria Joan , Alcaraz-Quiles José , Arroyo Vicente , Moreau Richard , Fernandez Javier , Bendtsen Flemming , Mehta Gautam , Gluud Lise Lotte , Møller Søren , Praktiknjo Michael , Trebicka Jonel
Published: April 2020

Objective

Systemic inflammation predisposes acutely decompensated (AD) cirrhosis to the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Supportive treatment can improve AD patients, becoming recompensated. Little is known about the outcome of patients recompensated after AD. We hypothesise that different inflammasome activation is involved in ACLF development in compensated and recompensated patients.

Design

249 patients with cirrhosis, divided into compensated and recompensated (previous AD), were followed prospectively for fatal ACLF development. Two external cohorts (n=327) (recompensation, AD and ACLF) were included. Inflammasome-driving interleukins (ILs), IL-1α (caspase-4/11-dependent) and IL-1β (caspase-1-dependent), were measured. In rats, bile duct ligation-induced cirrhosis and lipopolysaccharide exposition were used to induce AD and subsequent recompensation. IL-1α and IL-1β levels and upstream/downstream gene expression were measured.

Results

Patients developing ACLF showed higher baseline levels of ILs. Recompensated patients and patients with detectable ILs had higher rates of ACLF development than compensated patients. Baseline CLIF-C (European Foundation for the study of chronic liver failure consortium) AD, albumin and IL-1α were independent predictors of ACLF development in compensated and CLIF-C AD and IL-1β in recompensated patients. Compensated rats showed higher IL-1α gene expression and recompensated rats higher IL-1β levels with higher hepatic gene expression. Higher IL-1β detection rates in recompensated patients developing ACLF and higher IL-1α and IL-1β detection rates in patients with ACLF were confirmed in the two external cohorts.

Conclusion

Previous AD is an important risk factor for fatal ACLF development and possibly linked with inflammasome activation. Animal models confirmed the results showing a link between ACLF development and IL-1α in compensated cirrhosis and IL-1β in recompensated cirrhosis.