bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulating uncertainty: cybersecurity politics in Egypt
Authors: Hassib Bassant , Shires James
Published: February 2021

Cybersecurity, defined as the prevention and mitigation of malicious interference with digital devices and networks, is a key area of contest for digitalized politics, especially in uncertain and turbulent situations. Nowhere is this more starkly illustrated than in states such as Egypt, where the period since the January 2011 revolution has seen several changes of government and the subsequent consolidation of executive power, increasingly strict limits on free speech, and extensive violence by Islamist groups against the state and civilian targets and by the state against protesters and dissidents. How, then, are cybersecurity policies, practices, and technologies deployed and contested in uncertain political environments? The article argues that cybersecurity provides a way for the Egyptian government and opposition activists to “manipulate uncertainty” to their advantage. Each side uses cybersecurity policies, practices, and technologies to restrict their adversary’s scope for action, seeking to make the other more predictable while retaining or increasing their own freedom of action. In addition to providing extensive empirical data on cybersecurity developments in Egypt, the article makes two theoretical contributions. First, it shows how political struggles between state and opposition movements assimilate the influential language and content of cybersecurity, generating distinct cybersecurity politics. Second, it highlights the role of uncertainty as a driver—among others—of cycles of innovation and response in contentious politics, including those that center on cybersecurity.
The role of computed tomography coronary angiography in multi-vessel coronary vasospasm: a case report
Authors: Tomlinson James S , Patel Amit , Levy Terry
Published: February 2021

Background

Coronary vasospasm can present like an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with an intense vasoconstriction resulting in total or near-total occlusion of one or more of the coronary vessels. Definitive diagnosis can be made by intracoronary provocation testing.

Case summary

A 37-year-old Caucasian male and smoker was admitted with chest pain. Highly sensitive troponin-I was positive at 63 ng/L (99th percentile upper reference limit, <15 ng/L) with a repeat value of 45 ng/L three and a half hours later which was of clinical significance. Serial electrocardiography (ECG) showed no ischaemic changes. Coronary angiography revealed several distal and side branch stenoses; however, angiographic appearances were atypical of coronary plaque. A differential diagnosis of spontaneous coronary artery dissection was suspected although the patient was pain free during the procedure. Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) demonstrated normal coronary arteries, confirmed on repeat invasive coronary angiography. Cold pressor testing was unsuccessful in reproducing vasospasm. Acute coronary syndrome treatment was discontinued, he received smoking cessation advice and Amlodipine 5 mg daily was started. He has experienced no further episodes of cardiac chest pain on follow-up consultation 7 months later.

Discussion

This is an unusual case of persistent, extensive coronary vasospasm in a patient without ongoing chest pain or ischaemic ECG changes. Intracoronary nitrates are usually effective at relieving coronary spasm. Cold pressor testing has poor sensitivity for diagnosing vasospasm when compared to intracoronary provocation testing using either acetylcholine or ergonovine. Multi-slice CTCA may help to discriminate coronary plaque from coronary vasospasm when there is diagnostic uncertainty.
Myocarditis in COVID-19 presenting with cardiogenic shock: a case series
Authors: Purdy Adam , Ido Firas , Sterner Stacie , Tesoriero Eric , Matthews Tokunbo , Singh Abhishek
Published: February 2021

Background

SARS-CoV2, also known as COVID-19, is a specific strain of coronavirus that is responsible for an ongoing global pandemic. COVID-19 primarily targets the respiratory system via droplet transmission, causing symptoms similar to influenza, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. It is now known to impact other organ systems, causing significant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal illness, among others.

Case summary

We describe two cases of COVID-19 induced myocarditis presenting with cardiogenic shock. These cases highlight the importance of understanding the lethal cardiac complications of COVID-19 infection, as well as its presentation, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and potential treatment options. These two cases involve patients without underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors who experienced prolonged symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Both patients presented with cardiogenic shock more than one week after symptom onset and diagnosis. These cases demonstrate the late presentation of myocarditis and cardiogenic shock, treated with corticosteroids and inotropes, with subsequent recovery of cardiac function.

Discussion

The cases highlight the importance of recognizing late presentation viral myocarditis secondary to COVID-19 infection, even in patients without underlying cardiac disease.
Functional impact of cancer-associated cohesin variants on gene expression and cellular identity
Authors: Rittenhouse Natalie L , Carico Zachary M , Liu Ying Frances , Stefan Holden C , Arruda Nicole L , Zhou Junjie , Dowen Jill M
Published: February 2021

Cohesin is a ring-shaped protein complex that controls dynamic chromosome structure. Cohesin activity is important for a variety of biological processes, including formation of DNA loops that regulate gene expression. The precise mechanisms by which cohesin shapes local chromosome structure and gene expression are not fully understood. Recurrent mutations in cohesin complex members have been reported in various cancers, though it is not clear whether many cohesin sequence variants have phenotypes and contribute to disease. Here, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to introduce a variety of cohesin sequence variants into murine embryonic stem cells and investigate their molecular and cellular consequences. Some of the cohesin variants tested caused changes to transcription, including altered expression of gene encoding lineage-specifying developmental regulators. Altered gene expression was also observed at insulated neighborhoods, where cohesin-mediated DNA loops constrain potential interactions between genes and enhancers. Furthermore, some cohesin variants altered the proliferation rate and differentiation potential of murine embryonic stem cells. This study provides a functional comparison of cohesin variants found in cancer within an isogenic system, revealing the relative roles of various cohesin perturbations on gene expression and maintenance of cellular identity.
Age of Peak Performance Differs by Functional Task in Mice Tracked Over 2 Years
Authors: Tavoian Dallin , Lozier Nicholas R , de Lacalle Sonsoles
Published: February 2021

Mouse models are often used to validate novel interventions prior to human testing, although biological differences between mice and humans limit the translatability of outcomes. A common assumption in animal research is that maximal physical performance will be present at a young age, and that differences in task performance between young and old can be attributed to the aging process. However, this may not be true for all physical function tasks, and leaving out intermediate time points could drastically alter data interpretation. Here, we document age-related changes in forelimb and hindlimb grip strength, balance and coordination, and body composition in mice (n = 43) collected at multiple time points between 4 and 24 months of age. Maximal forelimb grip strength was recorded at 4 months of age, but maximal hindlimb grip strength was recorded at 15 months of age. Balance performance was stable from 4 to 15 months of age, declining significantly at 18 months. Both lean and fat mass peaked at 18 months before declining steadily. We conclude that the inclusion of intermediate time points is essential for the accurate evaluation of physical function status in mice, particularly in the context of translating intervention outcomes into strategies to be tested in humans.
Longitudinal Master Track and Field Performance Decline Rates Are Lower and Performance Is Better Compared to Athletes Competing Only Once
Authors: Hoog Antink Christoph , Braczynski Anne K , Kleerekoper Anthony , Degens Hans , Ganse Bergita
Published: February 2021

In master athletics research, cross-sectional data are easier to obtain than longitudinal data. While cross-sectional data give the age-related performance decline for a population, longitudinal data show individual trajectories. It is not known whether athletes who repeatedly compete have (a) a better performance and (b) a slower age-related decline in performance than that obtained from cross-sectional data from athletes competing only once. To investigate this, we analyzed 33 254 results of 14 118 male athletes from 8 disciplines in the database of “Swedish Veteran Athletics.” For each discipline and for the pooled data of all disciplines, quadratic models of the evolution of performance over time were analyzed by ANCOVA/ANOCOVA using MATLAB. The performance was higher in athletes with 2 or more data points compared to those with only n = 1 (p < .001), with further increases in performance with an increasing number of data points per athlete. The estimated performance decline was lower in people with 2 or more results (sprint, 10 km, jumps; p < .001). In conclusion, we showed that longitudinal data are associated with higher performance and lower performance decline rates.
Advance Care Planning Practices in the Nursing Home Setting: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Laging Bridget L , Nay Rhonda , Bauer Michael , Laging Rohan , Walker Katie , Kenny Amanda
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives

Advance care planning is intended to support residents’ preferences regarding health decisions, even when they can no longer participate. Little is known about the power discourses influencing how residents, family members, and health care workers engage in advance care planning and how advance care directives are used if a conflict arises. A large critical ethnographic study was conducted exploring decision making when a resident’s health deteriorates in the nursing home setting. Advance care planning practices were not the focus of the original study, but the richness of the data warranted further exploration. A new research question was developed to inform a secondary analysis: How does advance care planning influence the relationship between resident values and clinical expertise when determining a direction of care at the time of a resident deterioration?

Research Design and Methods

A secondary analysis of data from an ethnographic study involving 184 h of participatory observation, 40 semistructured interviews and advance care planning policies, and document review undertaken in two nursing homes in Melbourne, Australia.

Results

Advance care planning may result in inaccurate documentation of residents’ preferences and devalue clinical decision making and communication with residents and family members at the time of deterioration.

Discussion and Implications

Advance care planning may contribute toward a reductionist approach to decision making. There is an urgent need for the development of evidence-based policy and legislation to support residents, families, and health care workers to make appropriate decisions, including withholding invasive treatment when a resident deteriorates.
HTSlib: C library for reading/writing high-throughput sequencing data
Authors: Bonfield James K , Marshall John , Danecek Petr , Li Heng , Ohan Valeriu , Whitwham Andrew , Keane Thomas , Davies Robert M
Published: February 2021

Background

Since the original publication of the VCF and SAM formats, an explosion of software tools have been created to process these data files. To facilitate this a library was produced out of the original SAMtools implementation, with a focus on performance and robustness. The file formats themselves have become international standards under the jurisdiction of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health.

Findings

We present a software library for providing programmatic access to sequencing alignment and variant formats. It was born out of the widely used SAMtools and BCFtools applications. Considerable improvements have been made to the original code plus many new features including newer access protocols, the addition of the CRAM file format, better indexing and iterators, and better use of threading.

Conclusion

Since the original Samtools release, performance has been considerably improved, with a BAM read-write loop running 5 times faster and BAM to SAM conversion 13 times faster (both using 16 threads, compared to Samtools 0.1.19). Widespread adoption has seen HTSlib downloaded >1 million times from GitHub and conda. The C library has been used directly by an estimated 900 GitHub projects and has been incorporated into Perl, Python, Rust, and R, significantly expanding the number of uses via other languages. HTSlib is open source and is freely available from htslib.org under MIT/BSD license.
Novel mutations in the WFS1 gene are associated with Wolfram syndrome and systemic inflammation
Authors: Panfili Eleonora , Mondanelli Giada , Orabona Ciriana , Belladonna Maria L , Gargaro Marco , Fallarino Francesca , Orecchini Elena , Prontera Paolo , Proietti Elisa , Frontino Giulio , Tirelli Eva , Iacono Alberta , Vacca Carmine , Puccetti Paolo , Grohmann Ursula , Esposito Susanna , Pallotta Maria T
Published: February 2021

Mutations in the WFS1 gene, encoding wolframin (WFS1), cause endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and are associated with a rare autosomal-recessive disorder known as Wolfram syndrome (WS). WS is clinically characterized by childhood-onset diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy, deafness, diabetes insipidus and neurological signs. We identified two novel WFS1 mutations in a patient with WS, namely, c.316-1G > A (in intron 3) and c.757A > T (in exon 7). Both mutations, located in the N-terminal region of the protein, were predicted to generate a truncated and inactive form of WFS1. We found that although the WFS1 protein was not expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of the proband, no constitutive ER stress activation could be detected in those cells. In contrast, WS proband’s PBMCs produced very high levels of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e. TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the absence of any stimulus. WFS1 silencing in PBMCs from control subjects by means of small RNA interference also induced a pronounced proinflammatory cytokine profile. The same cytokines were also significantly higher in sera from the WS patient as compared to matched healthy controls. Moreover, the chronic inflammatory state was associated with a dominance of proinflammatory T helper 17 (Th17)-type cells over regulatory T (Treg) lymphocytes in the WS PBMCs. The identification of a state of systemic chronic inflammation associated with WFS1 deficiency may pave the way to innovative and personalized therapeutic interventions in WS.
Prospective evaluation of a breast-cancer risk model integrating classical risk factors and polygenic risk in 15 cohorts from six countries
Authors: Hurson Amber N , Pal Choudhury Parichoy , Gao Chi , Hüsing Anika , Eriksson Mikael , Shi Min , Jones Michael E , Evans D Gareth R , Milne Roger L , Gaudet Mia M , Vachon Celine M , Chasman Daniel I , Easton Douglas F , Schmidt Marjanka K , Kraft Peter , Garcia-Closas Montserrat , Chatterjee Nilanjan ,   for the B-CAST Risk Modelling Group
Published: February 2021

Background

Rigorous evaluation of the calibration and discrimination of breast-cancer risk-prediction models in prospective cohorts is critical for applications under clinical guidelines. We comprehensively evaluated an integrated model incorporating classical risk factors and a 313-variant polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict breast-cancer risk.

Methods

Fifteen prospective cohorts from six countries with 239 340 women (7646 incident breast-cancer cases) of European ancestry aged 19–75 years were included. Calibration of 5-year risk was assessed by comparing expected and observed proportions of cases overall and within risk categories. Risk stratification for women of European ancestry aged 50–70 years in those countries was evaluated by the proportion of women and future cases crossing clinically relevant risk thresholds.

Results

Among women <50 years old, the median (range) expected-to-observed ratio for the integrated model across 15 cohorts was 0.9 (0.7–1.0) overall and 0.9 (0.7–1.4) at the highest-risk decile; among women ≥50 years old, these were 1.0 (0.7–1.3) and 1.2 (0.7–1.6), respectively. The proportion of women identified above a 3% 5-year risk threshold (used for recommending risk-reducing medications in the USA) ranged from 7.0% in Germany (∼841 000 of 12 million) to 17.7% in the USA (∼5.3 of 30 million). At this threshold, 14.7% of US women were reclassified by adding the PRS to classical risk factors, with identification of 12.2% of additional future cases.

Conclusion

Integrating a 313-variant PRS with classical risk factors can improve the identification of European-ancestry women at elevated risk who could benefit from targeted risk-reducing strategies under current clinical guidelines.
Risk aversion and strategic voting
Authors: Martin Danielle
Published: February 2021

Numerous studies investigate how personality traits and individual characteristics influence vote choice. However, the effect of risk attitudes on the proclivity to cast a strategic vote has not been tested yet. This article tests whether the likelihood of defecting from one’s preferred party is influenced by attitudes towards risk. I argue that the utility stemming from expressing a preference by opting for the favored party is a sure thing, whereas the utility stemming from an instrumental choice depends on some probabilities, and consequently that strategic voting is riskier than sincere voting. Using survey data from the United Kingdom and Canada, I find that risk-averse voters are less likely to vote strategically than risk-acceptant ones.
Empowering physicians with health information technology: An empirical investigation in Chinese hospitals
Authors: Chen Yang , Aljafari Ruba , Xiao Bo , Venkatesh Viswanath
Published: February 2021

Objective

Few studies examine physicians’ use of different features of health information technology (HIT) in relation to their psychological empowerment and stress, especially in China, where many hospitals are being pushed to share digitized medical information. Further, there are mixed findings about the impact of HIT on stress, with some studies suggesting that HIT increases stress and others suggesting no effect. Hence, there is a need for a nuanced view of HITs to incorporate different features, regions, and outcomes. This work seeks to extend the existing body of knowledge on HIT by assessing the effects of basic (data-related) and advanced (clinical) HIT features on physician empowerment, stress, and ultimately, job satisfaction in Chinese hospitals.

Materials and Methods

We surveyed 367 physicians at 5 class 3 hospitals (ie, regional hospitals that provide specialist medical and healthcare services and carry out high levels of teaching and scientific research tasks) in 5 provinces in China. We specified and estimated a structural equation model using partial least squares.

Results

Physicians who used advanced features experienced improvement in all dimensions of physician empowerment and significant reduction in stress. Physicians who used basic technology, however, experienced improvement in fewer dimensions of physician empowerment and no significant change in stress. Except for efficacy, all dimensions of physician empowerment and stress predicted job satisfaction.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals should assess the purpose of HIT features and expect different effects on intermediate and ultimate outcomes. The nuanced view of HIT features and processes leading to outcomes sheds light on their differential effects and resolves inconsistencies in prior findings on HIT effects.
Molecular Characterization and Transcriptional Expression Analysis of ABC Transporter H Subfamily Genes in the Oriental Fruit Fly
Authors: He Wang , Wei Dan-Dan , Xu Hui-Qian , Yang Yang , Miao Ze-Qing , Wang Lei , Wang Jin-Jun
Published: February 2021

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephretidae), is a serious pest of fruits and vegetables and has developed high levels of insecticide resistance. ATP-binding cassette transporter genes (ABC transporters) are involved in mediating the energy-driven transport of many substances across membranes and are closely associated with development and insecticide detoxification. In this study, three ABC transporters in the H subfamily were identified, and the possible roles of these genes in B. dorsalis are discussed. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that those genes are conserved, typical of half-transporters. The expression profiles of BdABCH genes (BdABCHs) in the developmental stages, tissues, and following insecticide exposure, extreme temperature, warm- and cold-acclimated strain, starvation, and desiccation stress were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of BdABCHs can be detected in various tissues and in different developmental stages. They were most highly expressed in the hindgut and in newly emerged adults. The mRNA levels of BdABCHs in males (including most tissues and body segments) were higher than in females. The expression of BdABCH1 was significantly upregulated 3.8-fold in the cold-acclimated strain, and was significantly upregulated by 1.9-, 3.8- and 4.1-fold in the 0°C, starvation, and desiccation treatments, respectively. Treatment with malathion and avermectin at LD20 and LD30 concentrations produced no obvious changes in the levels of BdABCHs. BdABCHs may be involved in the transport of related hormones during eclosion, as well as water and inorganic salts. BdABCH1 also demonstrated that it is related to the ability to cope with adverse environments.
CharacterizingEscherichia coli’s transcriptional response to different styrene exposure modes reveals novel toxicity and tolerance insights
Authors: Machas Michael , Kurgan Gavin , Abed Omar A , Shapiro Alyssa , Wang Xuan , Nielsen David
Published: February 2021

The global transcriptional response of Escherichia coli to styrene and potential influence of exposure source was determined by performing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis on both styrene-producing and styrene-exposed cells. In both cases, styrene exposure appears to cause both cell envelope and DNA damage, to which cells respond by down-regulating key genes/pathways involved in DNA replication, protein production, and cell wall biogenesis. Among the most significantly up-regulated genes were those involved with phage shock protein response (e.g. pspABCDE/G), general stress regulators (e.g. marA, rpoH), and membrane-altering genes (notably, bhsA, ompR, ldtC), whereas efflux transporters were, surprisingly, unaffected. Subsequent studies with styrene addition demonstrate how strains lacking ompR [involved in controlling outer membrane (OM) composition/osmoregulation] or any of tolQ, tolA, or tolR (involved in OM constriction) each displayed over 40% reduced growth relative to wild-type. Conversely, despite reducing basal fitness, overexpression of plsX (involved in phospholipid biosynthesis) led to 70% greater growth when styrene exposed. These collective differences point to the likely importance of OM properties in controlling native styrene tolerance. Overall, the collective behaviours suggest that, regardless of source, prolonged exposure to inhibitory styrene levels causes cells to shift from‘growth mode’ to ‘survival mode’, redistributing cellular resources to fuel native tolerance mechanisms.
DeImplementing Ineffective and Low-Value Clinical Practices: Research and Practice Opportunities in Community Oncology Settings
Authors: Norton Wynne E , McCaskill-Stevens Worta , Chambers David A , Stella Philip J , Brawley Otis W , Kramer Barnett S
Published: February 2021

Patients, practitioners, and policy makers are increasingly concerned about the delivery of ineffective or low-value clinical practices in cancer care settings. Research is needed on how to effectively deimplement these types of practices from cancer care. In this commentary, we spotlight the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), a national network of community oncology practices, and elaborate on how it is an ideal infrastructure for conducting rigorous, real-world research on deimplementation. We describe key multilevel issues that affect deimplementation and also serve as a guidepost for developing strategies to drive deimplementation. We describe optimal study designs for testing deimplementation strategies and elaborate on how and why the NCORP network is uniquely positioned to conduct rigorous and impactful deimplementation trials. The number and diversity of affiliated community oncology care sites, coupled with the overall objective of improving cancer care delivery, make the NCORP an opportune infrastructure for advancing deimplementation research while simultaneously improving the care of millions of cancer patients nationwide.
Capture–Recapture Estimation of Characteristics of U.S. Local Food Farms Using a Web-Scraped List Frame
Authors: Hyman Michael , Sartore Luca , Young Linda J
Published: February 2021

The emerging sectors of agriculture, such as organics, urban, and local food, tend to be dominated by farms that are smaller, more transient, more diverse, and more dispersed than the traditional farms in the rural areas of the United States. As a consequence, a list frame of all farms within one of these sectors is difficult to construct and, even with the best of efforts, is incomplete. The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) maintains a list frame of all known and potential U.S. farms and uses this list frame as the sampling frame for most of its surveys. Traditionally, NASS has used its area frame to assess undercoverage. However, getting a good measure of the incompleteness of the NASS list frame using an area frame is cost prohibitive for farms in these emerging sectors that tend to be located within and near urban areas. In 2016, NASS conducted the Local Food Marketing Practices (LFMP) survey. Independent samples were drawn from (1) the NASS list frame and (2) a web-scraped list of local food farms. Using these two samples and capture–recapture methods, the total number and sales of local food operations at the United States, regional, and state levels were estimated. To our knowledge, the LFMP survey is the first survey in which a web-scraped list frame has been used to assess undercoverage in a capture–recapture setting to produce official statistics. In this article, the methods are presented, and the challenges encountered are reviewed. Best practices and open research questions for conducting surveys using web-scraped list frames and capture–recapture methods are discussed.
Allelopathy in rice: a story of momilactones, kin recognition, and weed management
Authors: Serra Serra Núria , Shanmuganathan Reshi , Becker Claude
Published: February 2021

In the struggle to secure nutrient access and to outperform competitors, some plant species have evolved a biochemical arsenal with which they inhibit the growth or development of neighbouring plants. This process, known as allelopathy, exists in many of today’s major crops, including rice. Rice synthesizes momilactones, diterpenoids that are released into the rhizosphere and inhibit the growth of numerous plant species. While the allelopathic potential of rice was recognized decades ago, many questions remain unresolved regarding the biosynthesis, exudation, and biological activity of momilactones. Here, we review current knowledge on momilactones, their role in allelopathy, and their potential to serve as a basis for sustainable weed management. We emphasize the gaps in our current understanding of when and how momilactones are produced and of how they act in plant cells, and outline what we consider the next steps in momilactone and rice allelopathy research.
A SlMYB75-centred transcriptional cascade regulates trichome formation and sesquiterpene accumulation in tomato
Authors: Gong Zehao , Luo Yingqing , Zhang Wenfa , Jian Wei , Zhang Lu , Gao Xueli , Hu Xiaowei , Yuan Yujin , Wu Mengbo , Xu Xin , Zheng Xianzhe , Wu Guanle , Li Zhengguo , Li Zhi , Deng Wei
Published: February 2021

Tomato trichomes act as a mechanical and chemical barrier against pests. An R2R3 MYB transcription factor gene, SlMYB75, is highly expressed in type II, V, and VI trichomes. SlMYB75 protein is located in the nucleus and possesses transcriptional activation activity. Down-regulation of SlMYB75 increased the formation of type II, V, and VI trichomes, accumulation of δ-elemene, β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene in glandular trichomes, and tolerance to spider mites in tomato. In contrast, overexpression of SlMYB75 inhibited trichome formation and sesquiterpene accumulation, and increased plant sensitivity to spider mites. RNA-Seq analyses of the SlMYB75 RNAi line indicated massive perturbation of the transcriptome, with a significant impact on several classes of transcription factors. Expression of the MYB genes SlMYB52 and SlTHM1 was strongly reduced in the RNAi line and increased in the SlMYB75-overexpressing line. SlMYB75 protein interacted with SlMYB52 and SlTHM1 and activated their expression. SlMYB75 directly targeted the promoter of the cyclin gene SlCycB2, increasing its activity. The auxin response factor SlARF4 directly targeted the promoter of SlMYB75 and inhibited its expression. SlMYB75 also bound to the promoters of the terpene synthase genes SlTPS12, SlTPS31, and SlTPS35, inhibiting their transcription. Our findings indicate that SlMYB75 perturbation affects several transcriptional circuits, resulting in altered trichome density and metabolic content.
Comparison of Royal Canadian Navy Watchstanding Schedules
Authors: Paul Michel A , Love Ryan J
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Life on board a naval vessel is exceptionally demanding. Workdays for naval sailors can quite easily become 18+ hours long when watch schedules, training, and drills/evolutions are taken into account. Rotating watches and short off-watch periods can force sailors into a biphasic sleep pattern that is not sufficiently restful or a rotating pattern that is impossible to adapt to.

Materials and Methods

Six different watch systems were evaluated over four separate at-sea trials. Engineering and tactical/combat departments have had different watch systems in the past because of constraints related to the specific environment in which they work. Therefore, two of the watch systems were engineering-specific watch evaluations, three of the systems were specific to tactical/combat departments, and one watch system was evaluated with the entire company of the naval vessel.

Results

Both two-section (1-in-2) watch systems and three-section (1-in-3) watch systems were evaluated, which involve two or three shifts of sailors rotating through a full continuous 24-h day, respectively. Moving beyond three rotations of sailors is impossible on Canadian naval vessels due to bunk space and other limitations. The best watch system that we evaluated with respect to fatigue and quality of life at sea was the 1-in-3 straight 8-h shift system that was tested for the entire ships’ company. The system has a single 8-h daily watch obligation (red watch, 4:00 am-12:00 pm; white watch 12:00 pm-8:00 pm; and blue watch, 8:00 pm-4:00 am). The best 1-in-2 system was the 8-4-4-8 system in which sailors are on-watch for 8 h, off-watch for 4 h, on-watch for 4 h, and then rest for 8 h. Both of these two systems have the advantage of equitably sharing the Window of Circadian Low (from about midnight to about 8:00 am), especially when melatonin concentration in the body is usually at its peak, between 2:00 am and 6:00 am.

Conclusions

The goal of this work was to comprehensively evaluate both submarine and surface fleet watch systems. We were able to develop alternative watch systems that increased Royal Canadian Navy operational readiness and improved the quality of life of our sailors at sea.
Leveraging the Existing Anesthesia Information Management System to Improve Anesthesia Quality Assurance Outcome Reporting
Authors: Kristobak Benjamin M , Jabaut Joshua M , Dickson Cody F , Cronin William A
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Tracking measures of quality over time has been shown to improve care within institutions and across health systems. Perioperative quality assurance (QA) tracking by anesthesia departments in the Military Health System (MHS) has not used a uniform system integrated into the workflow of anesthesia providers. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the use of the embedded QA outcome reporting feature in the anesthesia information management system (AIMS) increased the rate of reporting compared to the current paper reporting system in a military anesthesia department.

Materials and Methods

An electronic outcome reporting mechanism embedded in the AIMS was activated as an alternative to paper QA outcome reporting. The proportion of anesthesia cases per month in a 12-month period with a reported QA outcome was compared to the previous year in which only the paper reporting system was used. The total number of cases in each time period with an outcome reported was compared using chi square for proportions, and systems were evaluated using the Statistical Process Control methodology. This project was evaluated and determined to be exempt from review by our institutional review board.

Results

There was a 389.8% increase in the number of cases with a QA outcome reported after the implementation of the outcome reporting function integrated into the AIMS (χ2 = 207.72; P <.001, Table I). Systems before and after the intervention were stable, and special cause variation was noted only at the point of implementation of the electronic reporting system. Anesthesia providers were surveyed and felt that the addition of QA reporting to the AIMS made QA reporting more likely.

Conclusions

The use of an electronic QA outcome reporting method integrated into the AIMS dramatically increased the likelihood that a QA outcome would be reported. The decreased administrative burden of the integrated outcome reporting system was likely the primary reason for this increase. This study was limited by the fact that it was done in a single institution; however, the size and timing of the increase clearly indicate that the intervention was the reason for improved reporting. Electronic health record upgrades should consider incorporating QA reporting into the AIMS across the MHS. These measures could allow for system-wide improvement, evaluation, and evidence-based education on their own, but also by facilitating participation in the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Anesthesia Quality Institute’s National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry. This report serves as a valuable example to institutions and perioperative leaders in the MHS of how to improve the robustness of perioperative QA reporting such that it could be used to validate and improve the value of care.
On the radio frequency dependence of the pulse delay phenomenon in PSR B0943+10
Authors: Suleymanova S A , Kazantsev A N , Rankin J M , Logvinenko S V
Published: February 2021

We report the result of measurements of a gradual shift of the integrated pulses towards later spin phase of the anomalous pulsar B0943+10 at high radio frequencies. We have used observations from the Arecibo Observatory and the GMRT at 327 and 325 MHz correspondingly. For the measurements, we have proposed a special method for calculating the correct positions of the partially merged two components of the pulse profile shape with significant temporal changes in their amplitude ratio. The exponential change in the pulse phase with an amplitude of 4 ms and characteristic time of about 1 h has been found. Comparison of our measurements at 325 and 327 MHz with those at the lower frequencies of 25–80, 62 and 112 MHz have shown that the character of the process does not depend on frequency across a wide frequency range. The result is very important for constraining the nature of the delay. It supports the assumption that the process results from changes in the vacuum gap near the surface of the pulsar. The further correlation between changes in the pulse phase and its intensity is discussed.
Time delay lens modelling challenge
Authors: Ding X , Treu T , Birrer S , Chen G C-F , Coles J , Denzel P , Frigo M , Galan A , Marshall P J , Millon M , More A , Shajib A J , Sluse D , Tak H , Xu D , Auger M W , Bonvin V , Chand H , Courbin F , Despali G , Fassnacht C D , Gilman D , Hilbert S , Kumar S R , Lin J Y-Y , Park J W , Saha P , Vegetti S , Van de Vyvere L , Williams L L R
Published: February 2021

In recent years, breakthroughs in methods and data have enabled gravitational time delays to emerge as a very powerful tool to measure the Hubble constant H0. However, published state-of-the-art analyses require of order 1 yr of expert investigator time and up to a million hours of computing time per system. Furthermore, as precision improves, it is crucial to identify and mitigate systematic uncertainties. With this time delay lens modelling challenge, we aim to assess the level of precision and accuracy of the modelling techniques that are currently fast enough to handle of order 50 lenses, via the blind analysis of simulated data sets. The results in Rungs 1 and 2 show that methods that use only the point source positions tend to have lower precision ($10\!-\!20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) while remaining accurate. In Rung 2, the methods that exploit the full information of the imaging and kinematic data sets can recover H0 within the target accuracy (|A| < 2 per cent) and precision (<6 per cent per system), even in the presence of a poorly known point spread function and complex source morphology. A post-unblinding analysis of Rung 3 showed the numerical precision of the ray-traced cosmological simulations to be insufficient to test lens modelling methodology at the percent level, making the results difficult to interpret. A new challenge with improved simulations is needed to make further progress in the investigation of systematic uncertainties. For completeness, we present the Rung 3 results in an appendix and use them to discuss various approaches to mitigating against similar subtle data generation effects in future blind challenges.
QSO photometric redshifts using machine learning and neural networks
Authors: Curran S J , Moss J P , Perrott Y C
Published: February 2021

The scientific value of the next generation of large continuum surveys would be greatly increased if the redshifts of the newly detected sources could be rapidly and reliably estimated. Given the observational expense of obtaining spectroscopic redshifts for the large number of new detections expected, there has been substantial recent work on using machine learning techniques to obtain photometric redshifts. Here, we compare the accuracy of the predicted photometric redshifts obtained from deep learning (DL) with the k-nearest neighbour (kNN) and the decision tree regression (DTR) algorithms. We find using a combination of near-infrared, visible, and ultraviolet magnitudes, trained upon a sample of Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasi-stellar objects, that the kNN and DL algorithms produce the best self-validation result with a standard deviation of σΔz = 0.24 (σΔz(norm) = 0.11). Testing on various subsamples, we find that the DL algorithm generally has lower values of σΔz, in addition to exhibiting a better performance in other measures. Our DL method, which uses an easy to implement off-the-shelf algorithm with neither filtering nor removal of outliers, performs similarly to other, more complex, algorithms, resulting in an accuracy of Δz < 0.1 up to z ∼ 2.5. Applying the DL algorithm trained on our 70 000 strong sample to other independent (radio-selected) data sets, we find σΔz ≤ 0.36 (σΔz(norm) ≤ 0.17) over a wide range of radio flux densities. This indicates much potential in using this method to determine photometric redshifts of quasars detected with the Square Kilometre Array.
Constraining velocity-dependent self-interacting dark matter with the Milky Way’s dwarf spheroidal galaxies
Authors: Correa Camila A
Published: February 2021

The observed anticorrelation between the central dark matter (DM) densities of the bright Milky Way (MW) dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) and their orbital pericentre distances poses a potential signature of self-interacting dark matter (SIDM). In this work, we investigate this possibility by analysing the range of SIDM scattering cross-section per unit mass, σ/mχ, able to explain such anticorrelation. We simulate the orbital evolution of dSphs subhaloes around the MW assuming an analytical form for the gravitational potential, adopting the proper motions from the Gaia mission and including a consistent characterization of gravitational tidal stripping. The evolution of subhalo density profiles is modelled using the gravothermal fluid formalism, where DM particle collisions induce thermal conduction that depends on σ/mχ. We find that models of dSphs, such as Carina and Fornax, reproduce the observed central DM densities with fixed σ/mχ ranging between 30 and 50 cm2 g−1, whereas other dSphs prefer larger values ranging between 70 and 100 cm2 g−1. These cross-sections correlate with the average collision velocity of DM particles within each subhalo’s core, so that systems modelled with large cross-sections have lower collision velocities. We fit the cross-section–velocity correlation with a SIDM particle model, where a DM particle of mass mχ = 53.93 ± 9.81 GeV interacts under the exchange of a light mediator of mass mϕ = 6.6 ± 0.43 MeV, with the self-interactions being described by a Yukawa potential. The outcome is a cross-section–velocity relation that explains the diverse DM profiles of MW dSph satellites and is consistent with observational constraints on larger scales.
Conditions in the WR 140 wind-collision region revealed by the 1.083-μ m He i line profile
Authors: Williams Peredur M , Varricatt Watson P , Chené André-Nicolas , Corcoran Michael F , Gull Ted R , Hamaguchi Kenji , Moffat Anthony F J , Pollock Andrew M T , Richardson Noel D , Russell Christopher M P , Sander Andreas A C , Stevens Ian R , Weigelt Gerd
Published: February 2021

We present spectroscopy of the P Cygni profile of the 1.083-$\mu$m He i line in the WC7+O5 colliding-wind binary (CWB) WR 140 (HD 193793), observed in 2008, before its periastron passage in 2009, and in 2016–2017, spanning the subsequent periastron passage. Both absorption and emission components showed strong variations. The variation of the absorption component as the O5 star was occulted by the wind-collision region (WCR) sets a tight constraint on its geometry. While the sightline to the O5 star traversed the WCR, the strength and breadth of the absorption component varied significantly on time-scales of days. An emission subpeak was observed on all our profiles. The variation of its radial velocity with orbital phase was shown to be consistent with formation in the WCR as it swung round the stars in their orbit. Modelling the profile gives a measure of the extent of the subpeak-forming region. In the phase range 0.93–0.99, the flux in the subpeak increased steadily, approximately inversely proportionally to the stellar separation, indicating that the shocked gas in the WCR where the line was formed was adiabatic. After periastron, the subpeak flux was anomalously strong and varied rapidly, suggesting formation in clumps downstream in the WCR. For most of the time, its flux exceeded the 2–10-keV X-ray emission, showing it to be a significant coolant of the shocked wind.
Iron–sulfur biology invades tRNA modification: the case of U34 sulfuration
Authors: Zhou Jingjing , Lénon Marine , Ravanat Jean-Luc , Touati Nadia , Velours Christophe , Podskoczyj Karolina , Leszczynska Grazyna , Fontecave Marc , Barras Frédéric , Golinelli-Pimpaneau Béatrice
Published: February 2021

Sulfuration of uridine 34 in the anticodon of tRNAs is conserved in the three domains of life, guaranteeing fidelity of protein translation. In eubacteria, it is catalyzed by MnmA-type enzymes, which were previously concluded not to depend on an iron–sulfur [Fe–S] cluster. However, we report here spectroscopic and iron/sulfur analysis, as well as in vitro catalytic assays and site-directed mutagenesis studies unambiguously showing that MnmA from Escherichia coli can bind a [4Fe–4S] cluster, which is essential for sulfuration of U34-tRNA. We propose that the cluster serves to bind and activate hydrosulfide for nucleophilic attack on the adenylated nucleoside. Intriguingly, we found that E. coli cells retain s2U34 biosynthesis in the ΔiscUA ΔsufABCDSE strain, lacking functional ISC and SUF [Fe–S] cluster assembly machineries, thus suggesting an original and yet undescribed way of maturation of MnmA. Moreover, we report genetic analysis showing the importance of MnmA for sustaining oxidative stress.
Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, weight gain, and risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in Asia: a systematic review
Authors: Neelakantan Nithya , Park Su Hyun , Chen Guo-Chong , van Dam Rob M
Published: February 2021

Context

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is increasing in Asia and several countries are adopting preventive policies to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). However, evidence on the relation between SSB consumption and cardiometabolic health in Asian populations has not been summarized.

Objective

In this systematic review, the associations between consumption of SSBs and cardiometabolic outcomes, including obesity, T2DM, and CVD, are examined in Asian populations.

Data sources

The PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and gray literature were searched up to October, 2020 to identify relevant articles.

Data extraction

Two investigators independently extracted data from included studies.

Data analysis

When sufficient studies were available, a random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled estimates (expressed as risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]). Heterogeneity was tested and quantified using the Cochrane Q test and I2 statistic, respectively.

Results

Of the 17 studies included, 8 provided results about measures of adiposity (3 on weight change, 4 on body mass index (BMI), 2 on percent body fat, and 1 on abdominal obesity), 6 reported results about T2DM, and 3 reported on different CVD outcomes. High SSB consumption was significantly associated with greater weight gain and with a higher risk of selected CVD outcomes as compared with low consumption. In the meta-analysis, high SSB consumption was associated with greater T2DM risk before (RR, 1.51; 95%CI, 1.15–1.98 for highest vs lowest category; I2 = 76%) and after (RR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.09–1.73; I2 = 56%) adjustment for BMI.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that high SSB consumption is directly associated with weight gain, risk of T2DM, and, possibly, selected CVD outcomes in Asian populations. Public health strategies to reduce SSB consumption in Asian countries are warranted.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019129456.Keywords: adiposity. cardiovascular disease, Asia, sugar-sweetened beverages, type 2 diabetes.