bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 induces hepatic steatosis through activating MLXIPL and mTORC1 networks in hepatocytes
Authors: Wang Hao , Cao Youde , Shu Liqing , Zhu Ying , Peng Qi , Ran Longke , Wu Jinghong , Luo Yetao , Zuo Guowei , Luo Jinyong , Zhou Lan , Shi Qiong , Weng Yaguang , Huang Ailong , He Tong‐Chuan , Fan Jiaming
Published: December 2019

Liver plays an essential role in regulating lipid metabolism, and chronically disturbed hepatic metabolism may cause obesity and metabolic syndrome, which may lead to non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Increasing evidence indicates long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in energy metabolism. Here, we investigated the role of lncRNA H19 in hepatic lipid metabolism and its potential association with NAFLD. We found that H19 was up‐regulated in oleic acid‐induced steatosis and during the development of high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced NAFLD. Exogenous overexpression of H19 in hepatocytes induced lipid accumulation and up‐regulated the expression of numerous genes involved in lipid synthesis, storage and breakdown, while silencing endogenous H19 led to a decreased lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Mechanistically, H19 was shown to promote hepatic steatosis by up‐regulating lipogenic transcription factor MLXIPL. Silencing Mlxipl diminished H19‐induced lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Furthermore, H19‐induced lipid accumulation was effectively inhibited by PI3K/mTOR inhibitor PF‐04691502. Accordingly, H19 overexpression in hepatocytes up‐regulated most components of the mTORC1 signalling axis, which were inhibited by silencing endogenous H19. In vivo hepatocyte implantation studies further confirm that H19 promoted hepatic steatosis by up‐regulating both mTORC1 signalling axis and MLXIPL transcriptional network. Collectively, these findings strongly suggest that H19 may play an important role in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD.
Transfer of the Thecate Amoeba Lecythium mutabilis to a Novel Genus Omnivora (Fiscullidae, Thecofilosea, Cercozoa)
Authors: Dumack Kenneth , Pundt Julia , Bonkowski Michael
Published: December 2019

Thecofilosea is a class in Cercozoa (Rhizaria) comprising mainly freshwater‐inhabiting algivores. Recently, numerous isolates of thecofilosean amoebae have been cultured and were characterized by an integrated morphological and molecular approach. As attempts to establish a culture of Lecythium mutabilis repeatedly failed, it was not yet investigated by molecular means. We isolated single cells of L. mutabilis directly from their habitat and successfully sequenced the V4 region of their SSU rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses showed that L. mutabilis is not directly related to the genus Lecythium and instead branches within the Fiscullidae (Tectofilosida, Thecofilosea). Accordingly, we transfer the species L. mutabilis to a novel genus Omnivora gen. nov.
Pasteurella canis infection in a non‐human primate black‐tailed marmoset (Mico melanurus)—A case report
Authors: da Silva Mayara Inácio Vincenzi , Bento Heitor José , Maruyama Fernanda Harumi , Rosa Janaína Marcela Assunção , Mesquita Mayara Carvalho de Sousa Rocha , Pavelegini Lucas Avelino Dandolini , Morgado Thaís Oliveira , Colodel Edson Moleta , Nakazato Luciano , Dutra Valéria
Published: December 2019

This study reports the pathological and microbiological findings of pneumonia in a Mico melanurus caused by Pasteurella canis, confirmed for molecular analyses. It demonstrated the importance that wild species represent in the epidemiology of pasteurellosis in anthropic environments, when inserted into urban areas.
Securing sustainable funding for viral hepatitis elimination plans
Authors: Hatzakis Angelos , Lazarus Jeffrey V. , Cholongitas Evangelos , Baptista‐Leite Ricardo , Boucher Charles , Busoi Cristian‐Silviu , Deuffic‐Burban Sylvie , Chhatwal Jagpreet , Esmat Gamal , Hutchinson Sharon , Malliori Minerva‐Melpomeni , Maticic Mojca , Mozalevskis Antons , Negro Francesco , Papandreou George A. , Papatheodoridis George V. , Peck‐Radosavljevic Markus , Razavi Homie , Reic Tatjana , Schatz Eberhard , Tozun Nurdan , Younossi Zobair , Manns Michael P.
Published: December 2019

The majority of people infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the European Union (EU) remain undiagnosed and untreated. During recent years, immigration to EU has further increased HCV prevalence. It has been estimated that, out of the 4.2 million adults affected by HCV infection in the 31 EU/ European Economic Area (EEA) countries, as many as 580 000 are migrants. Additionally, HCV is highly prevalent and under addressed in Eastern Europe. In 2013, the introduction of highly effective treatments for HCV with direct‐acting antivirals created an unprecedented opportunity to cure almost all patients, reduce HCV transmission and eliminate the disease. However, in many settings, HCV elimination poses a serious challenge for countries’ health spending. On 6 June 2018, the Hepatitis B and C Public Policy Association held the 2nd EU HCV Policy summit. It was emphasized that key stakeholders should work collaboratively since only a few countries in the EU are on track to achieve HCV elimination by 2030. In particular, more effort is needed for universal screening. The micro‐elimination approach in specific populations is less complex and less costly than country‐wide elimination programmes and is an important first step in many settings. Preliminary data suggest that implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis can be cost saving. However, innovative financing mechanisms are needed to raise funds upfront for scaling up screening, treatment and harm reduction interventions that can lead to HCV elimination by 2030, the stated goal of the WHO.
Ultrasound‐guided techniques for peripheral intravenous placement in children with difficult venous access
Authors: Munshey Farrukh , Parra Dimitri A. , McDonnell Conor , Matava Clyde
Published: December 2019

Peripheral intravenous placement in children can be challenging. Different techniques have been used to improve first pass success rates in children with known history of difficult venous access including surface landmarking, local warming, transillumination, ultrasonography, epidermal nitroglycerin, central venous access, intraosseous placement, and venous cutdown. Among these, ultrasound guidance has garnered the most interest among anesthesiologists. The cumulative literature surrounding the utility of ultrasound‐guided peripheral intravenous placement in children with and without difficult venous access has shown mixed results. Literature on the utility of ultrasound guidance for peripheral intravenous placement in children under deep sedation or anesthesia is limited but encouraging. This review summarizes the overall evidence for ultrasound‐guided peripheral intravenous placement in children with difficult venous access under deep sedation or general anesthesia. Furthermore, five subtly varying approaches to ultrasound‐guided peripheral intravenous placement with their advantages and disadvantages will be discussed. One of these five approaches is Dynamic Needle Tip Positioning. Utilizing a short axis out of plane ultrasound view, this promising technique allows for accurate needle tip localization and may increase the success rate of peripheral intravenous placement, even in small children, under deep sedation, or general anesthesia.
The short and intricate life of the suspensor
Authors: Downs Jacob , Jones Brian
Published: December 2019

The suspensor is a short‐lived tissue critical for proper embryonic development in many higher plants. While the tissue was initially thought to simply suspend the embryo in the endosperm, it has been found through decades of research that it serves multiple important purposes. The suspensor has been found to be vital for proper embryo patterning and numerous studies have been undertaken into the complex transcriptional cross‐talk between the suspensor and the embryo proper. Indeed, many suspensor mutants also display abnormalities in the embryo. The suspensor's role as a nutrient conduit has been shown using ultrastructural and histochemical techniques. Biochemical approaches have found that the suspensor is a centre of early embryonic hormone production in several species. The suspensor has also been frequently used as a model for programmed cell death as it shows signs of termination almost immediately upon developing. This review covers the essential functions of the suspensor throughout its short existence from multiple disciplines including structural, genetic and biochemical perspectives.
Early detection of cognitive disturbances in mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review of observational studies
Authors: Chehrehnegar Negin , Nejati Vahid , Shati Mohsen , Rashedi Vahid , Lotfi Mohammadsajad , Adelirad Fatemeh , Foroughan Mahshid
Published: December 2019

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between normal cognition and early dementia and is not considered as a typical outcome of brain aging. It has been estimated that 10% to 20% of individuals above 65 years of age will be diagnosed as having MCI. The increased rate of dementia and the importance of early detection of its forerunners have encouraged researchers to focus on detecting MCI and modifiable risk factors with the hope of developing better ways of managing dementia and its consequences. The main aim of this study was to systematically review the related literature concerning the cognitive changes in the spectrum of cognitive aging to cognitive impairment. Articles included in this review were identified through searching the databases of PubMed, Psych Info, Embase, ProQuest, and Scopus. Many domains like verbal memory, language, executive function, visual memory, attentional skills, and working memory showed acceptable predictive power. Testing subdomains such as executive function, speed of processing, working memory and semantic language are critical and others may indicate some suggestions for further clinical deteriorations in normal individuals. Although various cognitive instruments have been used for evaluation of impaired cognitive domains, it remains challenging to select the most appropriate ones having high‐level accuracy and their related cognitive subdomains. It also revealed that none of the identified cognitive domains solely fulfilled the criteria for MCI screening; in clinical settings, multiple neuropsychological batteries may be used for one single cognitive domain, while longitudinal studies prefer the use of at least two cognitive measures for each domain to improve accuracy and research settings might focus on only a single neuropsychological test. However, along with episodic memory, testing for amnestic MCI, executive function could increase the chance of early detection of MCI. Executive control has been found to deteriorate the earliest in MCI patients.
Epigenetic patterns within the haplotype phased fig (Ficus carica L.) genome
Authors: Usai Gabriele , Mascagni Flavia , Giordani Tommaso , Vangelisti Alberto , Bosi Emanuele , Zuccolo Andrea , Ceccarelli Marilena , King Robert , Hassani‐Pak Keywan , Zambrano Liceth S. , Cavallini Andrea , Natali Lucia
Published: December 2019

Due to DNA heterozygosity and repeat content, assembly of non‐model plant genomes is challenging. Herein, we report a high‐quality genome reference of one of the oldest known domesticated species, fig (Ficus carica L.), using Pacific Biosciences single‐molecule, real‐time sequencing. The fig genome is ~333 Mbp in size, of which 80% has been anchored to 13 chromosomes. Genome‐wide analysis of N6‐methyladenine and N4‐methylcytosine revealed high methylation levels in both genes and transposable elements, and a prevalence of methylated over non‐methylated genes. Furthermore, the characterization of N6‐methyladenine sites led to the identification of ANHGA, a species‐specific motif, which is prevalent for both genes and transposable elements. Finally, exploiting the contiguity of the 13 pseudomolecules, we identified 13 putative centromeric regions. The high‐quality reference genome and the characterization of methylation profiles, provides an important resource for both fig breeding and for fundamental research into the relationship between epigenetic changes and phenotype, using fig as a model species.
An investigation of cross‐reactivity between the poultry red mite and house dust and storage mites in dogs with contact with chickens infested with red mites
Authors: Martins Luís M. L. , Ventura Ana C. N. , Brazis Pilar , Cerrato Santiago
Published: December 2019

Background

The European poultry red mite (PRM) Dermanyssus gallinae, a common ectoparasite of laying chickens and pigeons; it also can feed on other birds, humans and domestic animals, causing clinical signs ranging from mild discomfort to severe dermatitis. Little is known about possible hypersensitivity to PRM or cross‐sensitization with house dust or storage mites.

Hypothesis/objectives

Knowledge on possible PRM immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated allergy and possible cross‐sensitization with house dust and storage mites may facilitate the clinical approach. The aim herein was to clarify possible evidence of type I hypersensitivity to PRM in dogs and possible occurrence of cross‐sensitization with house dust and storage mites.

Animals

Sixteen dogs with chronic contact with PRM‐infested chickens from traditional bird houses and 10 control dogs with no contact with birds.

Methods and materials

Dogs were subjected to intradermal testing (IDT) and serum specific IgE (sIgE) determination for house dust and storage mites and D. gallinae.

Results

The highest wheal score was obtained with 0.1 mg/mL D. gallinae extract. Positive IDT reactions to PRM were found in four of 10 control dogs and in 10 of 16 from the chicken‐exposed group. SIgE to PRM was detected in one control and in seven dogs exposed to chickens. No significant correlation was found between IDT or sIgE scores to PRM and house dust and storage mites.

Conclusions and clinical significance

Contact with PRM‐infested chickens may lead to sensitization without allergy, independently from sensitization to house dust and storage mites.
Was There Federalism in the Brazilian Empire? A Case of Contrast Between Federal State and Federalism in 19th Century
Authors: Liziero Leonam
Published: December 2019

This article aims to demonstrate that there were federative relations during the Empire of Brazil, with some reform during the regency period. The methodology used to measure the results focuses on the use of bibliographic sources from the 19th century and from more recent studies on the scope of the article. In addition, the use of documentary sources is present, since legislation of nineteenth-century Brazil is used, in particular, the Additional Act of 1834, which gives name to the present work. Although expressly provided for in the 1824 Political Charter that Brazil would constitute a Unitary State, in practice the increased regional concentration of political power led to a functioning situation such as a decentralized federal State. To this end, it begins with a brief demonstration of the antecedents of the Constitution of 1824. It then proceeds to treat the provision of this Constitution about the political organization to finally discuss the effects caused by the Additional Act of 1834.
Effects of hypoxia–reoxygenation stimuli on renal redox status and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 pathway in sickle cell SAD mice
Authors: Faes Camille , Juban Gaëtan , Aufradet Emeline , Desgeorges Thibaut , Charrin Emmanuelle , Connes Philippe , Mury Pauline , Mattè Alessandro , De Franceschi Lucia , Martin Cyril , Pialoux Vincent
Published: December 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the effects of repeated subclinical vaso‐occlusions on nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and oxidative stress balance regulation in the kidney of transgenic SAD mice?

What is the main finding and its importance?

In response to hypoxia–reoxygenation, nuclear Nrf2 protein expression decreased in the kidney of SAD mice while haem oxygenase transcripts were increased. This suggest that in SAD mice, other transcription factors than Nrf2 could be involved in renal antioxidant gene regulation in response to hypoxia–reoxygenation.

Hypoxia–reoxygenation (H/R) stress is known to increase oxidative stress in transgenic sickle mice and can cause organ failure. Here we described the effects of H/R on nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) as a putative regulator of redox status in the kidneys of SAD mice investigating Nrf2‐regulated antioxidant enzymes. Transgenic SAD mice and healthy C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to 4 h of hypoxia followed by various times of reoxygenation at ambient air (2 or 6 h). Regardless of the conditions (i.e. normoxia or H/R), SAD mice expressed higher renal oxidative stress levels. Nuclear Nrf2 protein expression decreased after 2 h post‐hypoxia only in the medulla region of the kidney and only in SAD mice. Simultaneously, haem oxygenase transcripts were affected by H/R stimulus with a significant enhancement after 2 h post‐hypoxia. Similarly, hypoxia inducible factor‐1α staining increased after 2 h post‐hypoxia in SAD mice in both cortex and medulla areas. Our data confirm that the kidneys are organs that are particularly sensitive to H/R stimuli in sickle cell SAD mice. Also, these results suggest an effect of the duration of recovery period (short vs. long) and specific responses according to kidney areas, medulla vs. cortex, on Nrf2 expression in response to H/R stimuli in SAD mice.
Synergy of Tribological Processes in Designing Combustion Engine Crankshaft Bearings
Authors: Vrublevskyi Oleksandr , Grytsyuk Oleksandr , Napiorkowski Jerzy
Published: December 2019

The results presented in this study present the possibilities of achieving a reduction in operational risk, friction losses, and energy costs for the engine friction and lubrication as a result of optimizing selected crankshaft bearing design parameters. The method suggested in the study is different from the known method of searching for optimal parameters throughout defined quality criteria with other parameters changing within the tolerance field (with consideration of dimension changes during work). Using the simulation model, the operation of bearings has been analyzed in starting conditions.
Morphological ontogeny of Tectoribates ornatus (Acari: Oribatida: Tegoribatidae), with comments on Tectoribates Berlese

Authors: SENICZAK STANISŁAW , IVAN OTILIA , SENICZAK ANNA
Published: December 2019

The morphological ontogeny of Tectoribates ornatus (Schuster, 1958) based on specimens from Romania is described and illustrated. The juveniles of this species are plicate, unideficient and apheredermous, with leaf-like prodorsal setae in and le and most gastronotal setae. The larva has sclerites on the gastronotum, and some of them bear setae. In the juveniles, seta d is present at solenidion σ on genua I–III, φ1 on tibia I and φ on other tibiae, but this seta is lost in the adult. In the nymphs, seta d on all femora and seta l' on genu and tibia I are leaf-like.
A new species of Ophiomegistus Banks (Acari: Paramegistidae) from an Australian lizard

Authors: HALLIDAY BRUCE , GRIMM-SEYFARTH ANNEGRET
Published: December 2019

We describe a new species of Ophiomegistus Banks, 1914 from Australia—O. rex sp. nov. parasitic on the lizard Ctenotus regius Storr, 1971. We review the state of knowledge of the genus Ophiomegistus in Australia, and conclude that much more extensive collecting will be needed to determine the degree of host specificity in this genus of parasites.
The Association of Self-Reported Muscle-Strengthening Activities With Carotid Intima–Media Thickness in Older Adults: Cooper Center Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lee Joowon , Chen Baojiang , Kohl Harold W. , Barlow Carolyn E. , Lee Chong Do , Radford Nina B. , DeFina Laura F. , Gabriel Kelley P.
Published: December 2019

The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the cross-sectional associations of participation in muscle-strengthening activities (MSAs) with carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) among older adults. The data are from 2,557 older adult participants enrolled in an observational cohort who reported no history of cardiovascular disease. MSA was determined using a questionnaire. Carotid ultrasound was performed to measure the CIMT of the common carotid artery bilaterally. Logistic regression models were constructed to estimate the association of MSA with CIMT after adjustment for potential confounders. The participants were aged 68.6 ± 7.0 years, and the majority were male (71.7%) and White (96.5%); 18% had abnormal CIMT. Meeting the physical activity guidelines for MSA was inversely associated with abnormal CIMT after adjustment for age and sex. However, this observed inverse relation became statistically null after further adjustment for cardiovascular disease risk factors, including aerobic physical activity.
The biochemical basis of microRNA targeting efficacy
Authors: McGeary Sean E. , Lin Kathy S. , Shi Charlie Y. , Pham Thy M. , Bisaria Namita , Kelley Gina M. , Bartel David P.
Published: December 2019

Biochemical prediction of miRNA targeting

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate most human messenger RNAs and play essential roles in diverse developmental and physiological processes. Correctly predicting the function of each miRNA requires a better understanding of miRNA targeting efficacy. McGeary
et al.
measured binding affinities between six miRNAs and synthetic targets, built a biochemical model of miRNA-mediated repression, and expanded it to all miRNAs using a convolutional neural network. This approach offers insights into miRNA targeting and enables more accurate prediction of intracellular miRNA repression efficacy than previous algorithms.

Science
, this issue p.
eaav1741
Extinction filters mediate the global effects of habitat fragmentation on animals
Authors: Betts Matthew G. , Wolf Christopher , Pfeifer Marion , Banks-Leite Cristina , Arroyo-Rodríguez Víctor , Ribeiro Danilo Bandini , Barlow Jos , Eigenbrod Felix , Faria Deborah , Fletcher Robert J. , Hadley Adam S. , Hawes Joseph E. , Holt Robert D. , Klingbeil Brian , Kormann Urs , Lens Luc , Levi Taal , Medina-Rangel Guido F. , Melles Stephanie L. , Mezger Dirk , Morante-Filho José Carlos , Orme C. David L. , Peres Carlos A. , Phalan Benjamin T. , Pidgeon Anna , Possingham Hugh , Ripple William J. , Slade Eleanor M. , Somarriba Eduardo , Tobias Joseph A. , Tylianakis Jason M. , Urbina-Cardona J. Nicolás , Valente Jonathon J. , Watling James I. , Wells Konstans , Wearn Oliver R. , Wood Eric , Young Richard , Ewers Robert M.
Published: December 2019

Vulnerability to habitat fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation caused by human activities has consequences for the distribution and movement of organisms. Betts
et al.
present a global analysis of how exposure to habitat fragmentation affects the composition of ecological communities (see the Perspective by Hargreaves). In a dataset consisting of 4489 animal species, regions that historically experienced little disturbance tended to harbor a higher proportion of species vulnerable to fragmentation. Species in more frequently disturbed regions were more resilient. High-latitude areas historically experienced more disturbance and harbor more resilient species, which suggests that extinction has removed fragmentation-sensitive species. Thus, conservation efforts to limit fragmentation are particularly important in the tropics.

Science
, this issue p.
1236
; see also p.
1196
Targeted selection of HIV-specific antibody mutations by engineering B cell maturation
Authors: Saunders Kevin O. , Wiehe Kevin , Tian Ming , Acharya Priyamvada , Bradley Todd , Alam S. Munir , Go Eden P. , Scearce Richard , Sutherland Laura , Henderson Rory , Hsu Allen L. , Borgnia Mario J. , Chen Haiyan , Lu Xiaozhi , Wu Nelson R. , Watts Brian , Jiang Chuancang , Easterhoff David , Cheng Hwei-Ling , McGovern Kelly , Waddicor Peyton , Chapdelaine-Williams Aimee , Eaton Amanda , Zhang Jinsong , Rountree Wes , Verkoczy Laurent , Tomai Mark , Lewis Mark G. , Desaire Heather R. , Edwards Robert J. , Cain Derek W. , Bonsignori Mattia , Montefiori David , Alt Frederick W. , Haynes Barton F.
Published: December 2019

Engineering better bnAbs

A highly effective HIV vaccine has been the goal of vaccinologists for nearly 35 years. A successful vaccine would need to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that are capable of neutralizing multiple HIV strains (see the Perspective by Agazio and Torres). Steichen
et al.
report a strategy in which the first vaccine shot can lead to immune responses that generate desired bnAbs. By combining knowledge of human antibody repertoires and structure to guide design, they validated candidate immunogens through functional preclinical testing. Saunders
et al.
designed immunogens with differences in binding strength for bnAb precursors, which enabled selection of rare mutations after immunization. The immunogens promoted bnAb precursor maturation in humanized mice and macaques.

Science
, this issue p.
eaax4380
, p.
eaay7199
; see also p.
1197
Nitromethane as a nitrogen donor in Schmidt-type formation of amides and nitriles
Authors: Liu Jianzhong , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Ziyao , Wen Xiaojin , Dou Xiaodong , Wei Jialiang , Qiu Xu , Song Song , Jiao Ning
Published: December 2019

Sourcing nitrogen from nitromethane

Nitromethane is produced in bulk quantities for use as a solvent. Its applications as a reagent have focused mainly on the acidity of the methyl protons en route to modifying the carbon center. Liu
et al.
now report an alternative protocol that activates the nitrogen center to produce an aminating agent. An in situ reductive reaction with triflic anhydride, formic acid, and acetic acid yields an acetylated hydroxylamine, characterized by mass spectrometry. This nitrogen donor conveniently transforms a variety of ketones and aldehydes into amides.

Science
, this issue p.
281
The tangled tale of Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption as told by geochemical monitoring
Authors: Gansecki Cheryl , Lee R. Lopaka , Shea Thomas , Lundblad Steven P. , Hon Ken , Parcheta Carolyn
Published: December 2019

Caldera collapse and flank eruption

Real-time monitoring of volcanic eruptions involving caldera-forming events are rare (see the Perspective by Sigmundsson). Anderson
et al.
used several types of geophysical observations to track the caldera-forming collapse at the top of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai'i, during the 2018 eruption. Gansecki
et al.
used near–real-time lava composition analysis to determine when magma shifted from highly viscous, slow-moving lava to low-viscosity, fast-moving lava. Patrick
et al.
used a range of geophysical tools to connect processes at the summit to lava rates coming out of far-away fissures. Together, the three studies improve caldera-collapse models and may help improve real-time hazard responses.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaz0147
, p.
eaay9070
; p.
eaaz1822
; see also p.
1200
Close-up view of an active asteroid
Authors: Agarwal Jessica
Published: December 2019

Particle ejections from Bennu could shape the object and send material into space
Metabolic and Genomic Traits of Phytobeneficial Phenazine-ProducingPseudomonasspp. Are Linked to Rhizosphere Colonization inArabidopsis thalianaandSolanum tuberosum
Authors: Zboralski Antoine , Biessy Adrien , Savoie Marie-Claude , Novinscak Amy , Filion Martin
Published: December 2019

Rhizosphere colonization is crucial for plant growth promotion and biocontrol by antibiotic-producingPseudomonasspp. This colonization process relies on different bacterial determinants which partly remain to be uncovered. In this study, we combined a metabolic and a genomic approach to decipher new rhizosphere colonization determinants which could improve our understanding of this process inPseudomonasspp. Using 60 distinct strains of phenazine-producingPseudomonasspp., we show that rhizosphere colonization abilities correlated with both metabolic and genomic traits when these bacteria were inoculated on two distant plants,Arabidopsis thalianaandSolanum tuberosum. Key metabolic and genomic determinants presumably required for efficient colonization of both plant species were identified. Upon further validation, these targets could lead to the development of simple screening tests to rapidly identify efficient rhizosphere colonizers.
Bayesian Evaluation of Solana HSV 1+2/VZV Assay Compared to Viral Culture and Commercial PCR Assay for Cutaneous or Mucocutaneous Specimens
Authors: Arsenault Christine , Camirand Lemyre Félix , Martin Philippe , Lévesque Simon
Published: December 2019

Results from the Solana HSV 1+2/VZV assay for the detection of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in cutaneous or mucocutaneous specimens were compared with that of viral culture and a commercial PCR assay (RealStar alpha herpesvirus PCR kit).
Loss of Resistance to Mousepox during Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection Is Associated with Impaired T-Cell Responses and Can Be Rescued by Immunization
Authors: Alves-Peixoto Pedro , Férez Maria , Knudson Cory J. , Melo-Silva Carolina R. , Stotesbury Colby , Wong Eric B. , Correia-Neves Margarida , Sigal Luis J.
Published: December 2019

Chronic viral infections may result in immunosuppression and enhanced susceptibility to infections with other pathogens. For example, we have recently shown that mice chronically infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13 (CL13) are highly susceptible to mousepox, a disease that is caused by ectromelia virus and that is the mouse homolog of human smallpox. Here we show chronic CL13 infection severely disrupts the expansion, proliferation, activation, and cytotoxicity of T cells in response due at least in part to the suppressive effects of the chronic infection milieu. Notably, despite this profound immunodeficiency, mice chronically infected with CL13 could be protected by vaccination with a highly attenuated variant of ECTV. These results demonstrate that protective vaccination of immunosuppressed individuals is possible, provided that proper immunization tools are used.
Cardiac arrest in a healthy child due to paradoxical embolus across a previously unrecognised sinus venosus defect
Authors: Samyn Margaret M , Gudausky Todd M , Kovach Joshua R , Woods Ronald K
Published: December 2019

A previously healthy, preadolescent female suffered an unwitnessed cardiac arrest with prompt return of circulation following bystander initiated resuscitation. Workup demonstrated the cause of her cardiac arrest to be distal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion with small apical left ventricular transmural myocardial infarction, from a paradoxical embolus traversing a previously undiagnosed large sinus venous defect. This case demonstrates the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may bring to the diagnosis of the pathophysiology leading to cardiac arrest.
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome during caesarean section
Authors: Safran Szilard Laszlo , Balmer Christian , Savoldelli Georges
Published: December 2019

We describe the case of a 25-year-old parturient who presented sudden onset and short-lived severe headache caused by reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) during an emergency caesarean section. The syndrome was triggered by phenylephrine administered intravenously to correct arterial hypotension following spinal anaesthesia. RCVS is a clinical and radiological syndrome attributed to transient disturbance in the control of cerebral arterial tone resulting in vasospasms. The syndrome can be precipitated by several triggers, including vasoactive drugs, often used during spinal anaesthesia, illicit drugs, pregnancy and postpartum state. Diagnosis and management can be challenging during pregnancy, peripartum or post partum, since many medications commonly used during these periods must be avoided to prevent triggering RCVS. The aim of this report is to raise the awareness, particularly for anaesthesiologists and obstetricians, of this rare and potentially serious syndrome. We discuss diagnosis, triggers, pathogenesis, clinical course and complications, as well as coordinated multidisciplinary management plans.
Healthcare utilisation in children with SMA type 1 treated with nusinersen: a single centre retrospective review
Authors: Ali Imran , Gilchrist Francis J , Carroll William D , Alexander John , Clayton Sadie , Kulshrestha Richa , Willis Tracey , Samuels Martin
Published: December 2019

Background

Nusinersen has been used to treat spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1) in the UK since 2017. While initial trials showed neuromuscular benefit from treating SMA1, there is little information on the respiratory effects of nusinersen. We aimed to look at the respiratory care, hospital utilisation and associated costs in newly treated SMA1.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of all children within the West Midlands with SMA1 treated with nusinersen at Royal Stoke University Hospital. Baseline demographics and hospital admission data were collected including: the reason for admission, total hospital days, days of critical care, days intubated, discharge diagnosis, doses of nusinersen and treatment complications.

Results

11 children (six girls) received nusinersen between May 2017 and April 2019. Their median (range) age was 29 (7–97) months. The median (range) number of nusinersen doses per child was 6 (4–8). All children were receiving long-term ventilatory support; this was mask ventilation in nine and tracheostomy ventilation in two. The total number of hospital days since diagnosis was 1101 with a median (range) of 118 (7–235) days per child. This included general paediatric ward days 0 (0–63), High Dependency Unit 79 (7–173) days and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit 13 (0–109) days per child. This equated to a median (range) of 20 (2–72) % of their life in hospital. The estimated cost of this care was £2.2M.

Conclusion

Patients with SMA1 treated with nusinersen initially spend a considerable proportion of their early life in hospital. Parents should be counselled accordingly. These data suggest that for every 10 children started on nusinersen an extra HDU bed is required. This has a significant cost implication.
UK perspective on the changing landscape of non-invasive cardiac testing
Authors: Asher Alex , Ghelani Rahul , Thornton George , Rathod Krishnaraj , Jones Daniel , Wragg Andrew , Timmis Adam
Published: December 2019

Objective

To document UK rates of exercise treadmill testing, functional stress testing and CT coronary angiography (CTCA). Specific aims were to determine how rates have changed in the context of changing guideline recommendations within the UK and to identify regional inequalities in the utilisation of testing modalities. Secondary objectives were to compare these trends with national data on revascularisation.

Methods

159 acute National Health Service trusts were served Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to provide total numbers of CTCA and functional imaging tests for each financial year from 2011–2012 to 2016–2017.

Results

The FOI requests yielded data from 88% of Trusts, increasing from 81.9% in 2011–2012% to 92.1% in 2016–2017. Exercise treadmill tests (ETTs) were performed by over 97% of Trusts. ETT was the most commonly performed diagnostic test in the UK across the study period despite declining by 8.4%. Utilisation of non-invasive stress imaging tests increased by 80.9% during the same period. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and stress echocardiography increased by 25.8% and 73.9%, respectively. The 268% increase in CTCA scans was yet greater. Trends in test utilisation during the study period showed important regional differences between devolved nations. Comparably, only small changes in rates of invasive coronary angiography and revascularisation have been reported during the study period.

Conclusion

Non-invasive imaging in UK Trusts has increased substantially since 2010 with only a small decline in use of the ETT and minimal changes in rates of invasive coronary angiography and revascularisation in the same time period.
Dynamics of particles near brane-world black hole
Authors: Abbas G. , Yousaf N. , Zubair M. , Saleem Rabia
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we have explored the behavior of dynamics of neutral test particles near the brane-world black hole (BH). We have discussed the stability/instability near the circular orbits with the help of extremal and nonextremal BH. In this consideration, we investigate the last stable circular orbit [Formula: see text] that decreases with the increase of black hole parameters and concluded that the circular orbits are stable at [Formula: see text]. The effective potential vanishes at horizon in extremal BH. In case of nonextremal BH, the angular momentum decreases, whereas energy increases with the increase in dark parameter [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we find the conditions for the naked singularity and also express the effective potential that increases with the increase of angular momentum. Finally, the center-of-mass energy (CME) is constructed by the collision of particles in the vicinity of brane-world black hole and observed that the CME decreases with the increase of black hole parameters.
Cyclic-controlled quantum operation teleportation in noisy environment
Authors: Liu Ren-Ju , Bai Ming-Qiang , Wu Fan , Zhang Yu-Chun
Published: December 2019

A scheme is proposed for cyclic-controlled quantum operation teleportation (CCQOT) for three sides with EPR and cluster states. Under the control of David, Alice can implement an unknown single-qubit unitary operation on the remote Bob’s quantum system, while Bob can execute a single-qubit unitary operation on Charlie’s quantum system and Charlie can also perform an unknown single-qubit unitary operation on Alice’s quantum system. Our scheme can be generalized to [Formula: see text]) agents involved in the cycle to realize the transmission of single-qubit operations. Moreover, by replacing the quantum channels, we can change the cyclic direction of controlled qunatum operation teleportation (CQOT) from clockwise to counterclockwise. In addition, we discuss our scheme in four types of noisy environments (amplitude-damping, phase-damping, bit-flip and phase-flip noisy environment), and use fidelity to analyze the amount of information lost in the process of CCQOT due to noise. The results show that the fidelity is determined by decoherence rate and amplitude parameters of the final state.
风景在他乡?
Authors: 林 平
Published: December 2019

由于生产成本提升, 台湾自1980年代起就有传统产业及相关从业人员迁移至中国大陆或东南亚. 当不少研究关注台湾产业及从业人员在中国大陆的发展时, 却少有研究关注东南亚的现况. 随着中国大陆经济崛起, 世界各地的 "华人新移民" 也成为关注重点, 本研究 "雅加达的台湾人" 刚好是 "台湾海外移民", 也是东南亚国家 "华人新移民" 研究的重要基础.

本研究是以笔者2015–2017年在雅加达进行的田野调查为基础，再加上其他相关数据分析后完成。藉由对不同背景当事人的访谈及参与观察，笔者发现大部分当事人迁居前都属于小市民或中产阶级，生活虽稳定但不富裕。他们迁居印尼后，由于两地相关产业的发展落差，自己有限的资本或专业技术更受重视，进而占有更高的社经地位，获得在台湾无法得到的物质生活。然而这些相对优渥的物质生活，却也使大部分当事人的社交生活都集中在当地的台湾人社群，与印尼当地社会有一段距离。只有少数年轻的迁移者，将印尼的发展视为未来可能的人生方向。

本文显示，跨国迁移并不仅限于前往先进国家的劳工移民，也有可能是前往后进国家的优势移民。透过前往后进国家，迁移者虽然快速提升社会地位，却不愿意在当地安身立命。这种特殊的迁移模式，可以做为未来检视台湾海外移民在其他国家的发展，或东南亚华人新移民研究的参考。
What Took You So Long? A Public Health Approach to Mitigate the Delayed Childbearing
Authors: Vichinsartvichai Patsama , Limvorapitux Pawan , Traipak Khanitta
Published: December 2019

Background: The delayed childbearing has doubled in prevalence during the last decade. It affects reproductive health, population distribution and economy. We use the public health approach to survey among women aged at least 35 years seeking fertility treatment.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted in women aged at least 35 years attending an infertility clinic in a university hospital. The questionnaire consisted of background information and three domains: (1) reasons for delayed childbearing, (2) required social policy incentives, and (3) acceptability toward infertility treatment. Each domain was scored from ‘5 — most important’ to ‘1 — least important’.

Results: A total of 590 women (median age 38.0 years) were recruited; 86.4% of them held at least a bachelor degree and 93.2% had higher income than Thailand’s GDP per capita. They thought that the most appropriate age to have the first child was 28.7 years. The top three reasons for delayed childbearing were “I need more financial security”, “no spouse”, and “I need progress on my career”. The participants thought that “paid paternity leave”, “increase paid maternity leave”, and “good quality childcare” were essential for them to make an earlier fertility decision. The most acceptable infertility treatments were IUI, IVF/ICSI, and social oocyte banking.

Conclusions: Women who delayed childbearing focus on financial and career security or finding the proper partner before fertility decision making. However, they have greater concerns over family welfare than money when it comes to domestic issues. The social policy and the related fertility treatment should adapt to serve the needs of the people and promote national fertility rate.
Determining Data Distribution for Large Disk Enclosures with 3-D Data Templates
Authors: Zhang Guangyan , Wang Zhufan , Ma Xiaosong , Yang Songlin , Huang Zican , Zheng Weimin
Published: December 2019

Conventional RAID solutions with fixed layouts partition large disk enclosures so that each RAID group uses its own disks exclusively. This achieves good performance isolation across underlying disk groups, at the cost of disk under-utilization and slow RAID reconstruction from disk failures.

We propose RAID+, a new RAID construction mechanism that spreads
both normal I/O and reconstruction workloads
to a larger disk pool in a balanced manner. Unlike systems conducting randomized placement, RAID+ employs deterministic addressing enabled by the mathematical properties of mutually orthogonal Latin squares, based on which it constructs 3-D data templates mapping a logical data volume to uniformly distributed disk blocks across all disks. While the total read/write volume remains unchanged, with or without disk failures, many more disk drives participate in data service and disk reconstruction.

Our evaluation with a 60-drive disk enclosure using both synthetic and real-world workloads shows that RAID+ significantly speeds up data recovery while delivering better normal I/O performance and higher multi-tenant system throughput.
Designing a Social Matching System to Connect Academic Researchers with Local Community Collaborators
Authors: Zytko Douglas , DeVreugd Leanne
Published: December 2019

This paper reports on efforts to design a social matching system that instigates collaborative research across multiple fields of practice, in this instance: researchers from academia and organizations in their local geographic community. A qualitative study is presented about university researchers and the design of their profile pages for the system. Findings show that university researchers prefer profile page designs that enable them to demonstrate a willingness to adapt to non-academic partners, such as by de-emphasizing esoteric markers of expertise like scholarly publications and clarifying their resources and goals. Some also wish to circumvent potential bias by omitting information about their name, physical appearance, and academic department. However, these desired omissions raise questions about how to design for sufficient distinction between profile pages and the presentation of a unique professional identity. Implications are discussed for the design of social marching systems for collaboration.
"I simply watched where she was looking at"
Authors: Prilla Michael
Published: December 2019

Mixed reality (MR) cooperation scenarios are more and more interesting for business and research as powerful wearable devices like head mounted displays (HMD) become commercially available. A lot of work focuses on remote MR cooperation settings like remote maintenance support and co-located scenarios in which participants cooperate over a longer period time. Despite this, MR also has great potential for real-time co-located cooperation support with the need of short-term decisions and interactions. However, little is known on how this support can be provided. To bridge this gap, we conducted an experiment using a MR visual search task performed by dyads. Based on related work, visual search was chosen to represent typical challenges of short-term cooperative MR tasks. The aim of the experiment was to explore how the participants coordinate their searches and how this influences their performance in a task. We found that participants mainly used embodied and verbal cues to coordinate their searches (rather than virtual cues provided by the HMD) and that less communication worked significantly better, which is in (partial) contrast to existing findings. We discuss potential reasons for and impacts of these findings.
The Social Mile - How (Psychosocial) ICT can Help to Promote Resocialization and to Overcome Prison
Authors: Ertl Tanja , Taugerbeck Sebastian , Esau Margarita , Aal Konstantin , Tolmie Peter , Wulf Volker
Published: December 2019

There is currently uncertainty in the research community as to how ICT can and should be designed in such a way that it can be convincingly integrated into the everyday lives of prison inmates. In this paper, we discuss a design fiction that closes this research gap. The descriptions and results of the study are purely fictitious. Excluded is the State of the Art as well as the description of the legal situation of prisons in Germany. The analysis of the fictional study data designed here thus refers to the real world in order to derive ethical guidelines and draw practical conclusions. It is our intention to use these results as a possible basis for further research. The paper presents results of an explorative study dealing with the design, development and evaluation of an AI-based Smart Mirror System, Prison AI 2.0, in a German prison. Prison AI 2.0 was developed for daily use and voluntarily tested by eight prisoners over a period of 12 months to gain insight into their individual and social impact, with an emphasis on its ability to actively support rehabilitation. Based on qualitative data, our findings suggest that intelligent AI-based devices can actually help promote such an outcome. Our results also confirm the valuable impact of (Psychosocial) ICT on the psychological, social and individual aspects of prison life, and in particular how prisoners used the Smart Mirror system to improve and maintain their cognitive, mental and physical state and to restore social interactions with the outside world. With the presentation of these results we want to initiate discussions about the use of ICT by prisoners in closed prisons in order to identify opportunities and risks.