bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Batik Dye Decolorization by Immobilized Biomass of Aspergillus sp
Authors: Dewi R S , Mumpuni A , Tsabitah N I
Published: September 2020

The rapidity of the batik industry in the Former Residence of Banyumas raises problems. Wastewater that discharged into upstream causes accumulation in downstream up to empties into the sea, so does not only threatens the river ecosystem but also has the potential to cause problems in the mangrove ecosystem in Segara Anakan (the downstream area of the Citanduy River which is very close to the downstream area of the Serayu River Basin). The strategy of batik wastewater management in an effort not to pollute the environment is offered. This study tried indigosol blue batik dye which are often used in the batik industry by using immobilization of the pure fungi biomass compared to biomass which was induced with tannic acid. Combination between incubation time and shaking treatment in immobilization of pure Aspergillus sp. biomass that capable to decolorize indigosol blue batik dye were also done. Data of degradation percentage was analyzed using spectrophotometry. The decolorization result of comparison between biomass of Aspergillus sp. with or without the addition of tannic acid under agitated treatment conditions at 24, 48, 72 hours were 54.7, 75.8, 77.4% and 78.8, 84, 80.1%, respectively. While the result of treatment under static conditions were 65.4, 86.3, 73.7% and 79.2, 78.6, 68.2, respectively. The next experiment is showed that 48th hour on static treatment have the highest decolorization percentage up to 67.1%. The pH was measured before and after treatment. The pH after treatment were decrease both in static and shaking treatment, and also in control treatment both in static and saker treatment. Based on the results of the research, the fact is the use of immobilization biomass of Aspergillus sp. in the form of alginate beads can be used for decolorization application in the environment.
Evaluation of Coliform Bacteria and Copper (Cu) in Upstream of Blanakan River, Subang, West Java
Authors: Nabila G , Takarina N D
Published: September 2020

This study aims to determine the quality of water by evaluating the presence or absence of coliform bacteria and heavy metal Cu as well. The water quality evaluation was conducted in the upstream of Blanakan river, considering that the upstream is vulnerable since it receives more pollutants due to human activity. The water samples were collected from three stations in upstream. The Cu in water was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Likewise, the coliform bacteria were counted by using Most probably Number (MPN) method. The results showed that the range of coliform bacteria was 0.43 – 110 MPN/ml and the average was 36.9 MPN/ml, which is exceeding the range of water quality standard class I according to Government Regulation No.82 of 2001. Meanwhile, the average value of heavy metals Cu is 0.04 mg/L, which is also exceeding the range of water quality standard class I according to Government Regulation No.82 of 2001. Hence, the upstream of Blanakan river has been contaminated by coliform and Cu.
Ornamental marine fish from the southern coast of Cilacap Central Java
Authors: Nuryanto A , Bhagawati D , Kusbiyanto
Published: September 2020

Cilacap has a high potential for marine fisheries. However, no scientific data is available on the potential of marine ornamental fish from that area. Here we reported the preliminary study of the potential of marine ornamental fish from the southern coast of Cilacap with particular emphasis on species richness. A survey method with incidental sampling was conducted. Fish samples bought from the fish collector in Sentolo Kawat Village, District of South Cilacap, at Cilacap City. The fish samples were collected in April, May, and July 2019. Taxonomic identification of the fish samples was referring to the available reference and validated to the data in FishBase. Identification based on color pattern and meristic characters by considering geographic ranges of the specimen placed the samples into 28 species, 12 families, and four orders. Chaetodontidae was the most abundant family with nine species. Most fish belonged to Perciformes. We obtained a lower number of species compared to the previous study for the south coast of Java. It could be due to the narrower sampling areas and limited sampling periods. Nevertheless, our result provides information about the potential of marine ornamental fish in Cilacap as among promising income sources for the Cilacap Regency. However, government intervention is necessary for the sustainable use of ornamental fish in the area.
Preliminary Detection of Coliform Bacteria and Zink (Zn) Pollution in Blanakan River Estuary, Subang, West Java
Authors: Glory E , Takarina N D
Published: September 2020

Coliform bacteria are microorganisms that are often used as indicators of the presence of other pathogenic bacteria. Calculation of total coliform bacteria needs to be done to determine the presence of organic waste pollution that occurs in the Blanakan River Estuary, Subang, West Java. The purpose of this study was to determine the total abundance of coliform bacteria (water status based on coliform level) and to study the relationship between total coliform bacteria and Zn heavy metal content in the Blanakan River Estuary. The method used was purposive sampling carried out at three sampling stations. The results obtained showed that the average coliform content in the three stations ranged from 9.2 x 10−2 to 3.0 x 10−1 (0.092 – 0.3) MPN/ml sample. Zn heavy metal content in the water at three stations ranged from 0.61 mg/l to 2.13 mg/l. The conclusion of this study is the abundance of the average total Coliform bacteria obtained at each station shows that the total content of Coliform bacteria has not exceeded water quality standards according to the Government Regulation no 82 of 2001. The presence of total coliform bacteria has a weak relationship with the presence of metals Zn.
Chlorophyll Contents of Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br. in Cilacap Coastal Areas in Relation to Habitats
Authors: Proklamasiningsih E , Widodo P
Published: September 2020

Abstract Bayhops (Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br.) is a kind of creeping herb growing in the coastal areas which can produce specific metabolites that are beneficial to humans. A study on the chlorophyll contents of this plant is important to find alternative sources of chlorophyll for health food supplements. This study aims to determine the chlorophyll contents of the bayhops in the coastal areas of Cilacap, i.e. Kamulyan, Bunton, and Sodong. The research method was experimental arranged in a completely randomized design of 6 treatments with three replications. The treatments used consisted of sea sand and soils from Kamulyan, Bunton, and Sodong. The parameters measured were the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll. The determination of chlorophyll contents was performed with acetone solvent, which was then measured by using a spectrophotometer. The results showed that growing habitat influences the chlorophyll contents. The bayhops found on further inland of Sodong contained the highest chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll.
On the Zeta function and the automorphism group of the generalized Suzuki curve
Authors: Borges Herivelto , Coutinho Mariana
Published: September 2020

For

p
p

an odd prime number,

q

0

=

p

t

q_{0}=p^{t}

, and

q
=

p

2
t
−
1

q=p^{2t-1}

, let

X

G

S

\mathcal {X}_{\mathcal {G}_{\mathcal {S}}}

be the nonsingular model of

Y

q

−
Y
=

X

q

0

(

X

q

−
X
)
.

\begin{equation*} Y^{q}-Y=X^{q_{0}}(X^{q}-X). \end{equation*}

In the present work, the number of

F

q

n

\mathbb {F}_{q^{n}}

-rational points and the full automorphism group of

X

G

S

\mathcal {X}_{\mathcal {G}_{\mathcal {S}}}

are determined. In addition, the L-polynomial of this curve is provided, and the number of

F

q

n

\mathbb {F}_{q^{n}}

-rational points on the Jacobian

J

X

G

S

J_{\mathcal {X}_{\mathcal {G}_{\mathcal {S}}}}

is used to construct étale covers of

X

G

S

\mathcal {X}_{\mathcal {G}_{\mathcal {S}}}

, some with many rational points.
Social Distancing to Mitigate COVID-19 Risks Is Associated With COVID-19 Discriminatory Attitudes Among People Living with HIV
Authors: Berman Marcie , Eaton Lisa A , Watson Ryan J , Andrepont J L , Kalichman Seth
Published: September 2020

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an emerging pandemic with heightened concerns for people with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV.

Purpose

In the absence of a vaccine, public health messaging to mitigate risks for COVID-19 primarily focuses on social distancing. Because people living with HIV commonly experience mistreatment associated with HIV, their response to social distancing may be complicated by psychosocial attitudes associated with COVID-19.

Methods

To evaluate these relationships, we conducted a rapid-response, cross-sectional survey with people living with HIV (N = 149) to assess social distancing practices, COVID-19 discriminatory attitudes, COVID-19 xenophobic attitudes, HIV microaggressions, and concern over contracting COVID-19. Data were collected from participants enrolled in a larger ongoing study between March 30, 2020 and April 17, 2020.

Results

Results indicated that choosing to socially distance to reduce COVID-19 exposure was associated with COVID-19 discriminatory attitudes, concerns of contracting COVID-19, and identifying as transgender. Likewise, social distancing imposed by others (e.g., cancelations and restrictions) was associated with concerns of contracting COVID-19.

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate that social distancing measures are related to concerns of contracting the virus and discriminatory attitudes toward those who are presumed to be living with COVID-19. These potentially negative psychosocial attitudes toward people perceived to have COVID-19 echo the discriminatory actions and attitudes that we continue to observe in HIV social sciences research.
Interventions to ameliorate reductions in muscle quantity and function in hospitalised older adults: a systematic review towards acute sarcopenia treatment
Authors: Welch Carly , Majid Zeinab , Greig Carolyn , Gladman John , Masud Tahir , Jackson Thomas
Published: September 2020

Objective

Assimilate evidence for interventions to ameliorate negative changes in physical performance, muscle strength and muscle quantity in hospitalised older adults.

Methods

We searched for articles using MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane library using terms for randomised controlled trials, older adults, hospitalisation and change in muscle quantity, strength or physical performance. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We calculated standardised mean differences for changes in muscle function/quantity pre- and post-intervention.

Results

We identified 9,805 articles; 9,614 were excluded on title/abstract; 147 full texts were excluded. We included 44 studies including 4,522 participants; mean age 79.1. Twenty-seven studies (n = 3,417) involved physical activity interventions; a variety were trialled. Eleven studies involved nutritional interventions (n = 676). One trial involved testosterone (n = 39), two involved Growth Hormone (n = 53), one involved nandrolone (n = 29), and another involved erythropoietin (n = 141). Three studies (n = 206) tested Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. Evidence for effectiveness/efficacy was limited. Strongest evidence was for multi-component physical activity interventions. However, all studies exhibited at least some concerns for overall risk of bias, and considering inconsistencies of effect sizes across studies, certainty around true effect sizes is limited.

Conclusion

There is currently insufficient evidence for effective interventions to ameliorate changes in muscle function/quantity in hospitalised older adults. Multiple interventions have been safely trialled in heterogeneous populations across different settings. Treatment may need to be stratified to individual need. Larger scale studies testing combinations of interventions are warranted. Research aimed at understanding pathophysiology of acute sarcopenia will enable careful risk stratification and targeted interventions.
Gearing up for National Astronomy Week
Authors: Scagell Robin , Offer Lucinda
Published: September 2020

National Astronomy Week is coming and Lucinda Offer and Robin Scagell want you to get ready.
An audit for action
Authors: Colquhoun Rebecca , Fernando Ben
Published: September 2020

Rebecca Colquhoun and Ben Fernando discuss their student-led audit of ethnic minorities and the geosciences
Naomi Rowe-Gurney Planetary scientist
Authors: Johnson Paul , Naomi Rowe-Gurney
Published: September 2020

The PhD student discusses how moving to China helped her rediscover her passion for science, the attraction of the ice giants, and the importance of campaigning for equality and diversity. Interview by Paul Johnson.
Sensory ecology of the frog-eating bat, Trachops cirrhosus, from DNA metabarcoding and behavior
Authors: Jones Patricia L , Divoll Timothy J , Dixon M May , Aparicio Dineilys , Cohen Gregg , Mueller Ulrich G , Ryan Michael J , Page Rachel A
Published: September 2020

Metabarcoding of prey DNA from fecal samples can be used to design behavioral experiments to study the foraging behavior and sensory ecology of predators. The frog-eating bat, Trachops cirrhosus, eavesdrops on the mating calls of its anuran prey. We captured wild T. cirrhosus and identified prey remains in the bats’ fecal samples using DNA metabarcoding of two gene regions (CO1 and 16S). Bats were preying on frogs previously unknown in their diet, such as species in the genus Pristimantis, which occurred in 29% of T. cirrhosus samples. Twenty-three percent of samples also contained DNA of Anolis lizards. We additionally report apparently rare predation events on hummingbirds and heterospecific bats. We used results from metabarcoding to design acoustic and 3D model stimuli to present to bats in behavioral experiments. We show predatory responses by T. cirrhosus to the calls of the frog Pristimantis taeniatus and to the rustling sounds of anoles moving through leaf-litter, as well as attacks on a stuffed hummingbird and a plastic anole model. The combination of species-specific dietary information from metabarcoding analyses with behavioral responses to prey cues provides a unique window into the foraging ecology of predators that are difficult to observe in the wild.
Fijiyama: a registration tool for 3D multimodal time-lapse imaging
Authors: Fernandez Romain , Moisy Cédric
Published: September 2020

The increasing interest of animal and plant research communities for biomedical 3D imaging devices results in the emergence of new topics. The anatomy, structure and function of tissues can be observed non-destructively in time-lapse multimodal imaging experiments by combining the outputs of imaging devices such as X-ray CT and MRI scans. However, living samples cannot remain in these devices for a long period. Manual positioning and natural growth of the living samples induce variations in the shape, position and orientation in the acquired images that require a preprocessing step of 3D registration prior to analyses. This registration step becomes more complex when combining observations from devices that highlight various tissue structures. Identifying image invariants over modalities is challenging and can result in intractable problems. Fijiyama, a Fiji plugin built upon biomedical registration algorithms, is aimed at non-specialists to facilitate automatic alignment of 3D images acquired either at successive times and/or with different imaging systems. Its versatility was assessed on four case studies combining multimodal and time series data, spanning from micro to macro scales.

Availability and implementation

Fijiyama is an open source software (GPL license) implemented in Java. The plugin is available through the official Fiji release. An extensive documentation is available at the official page: https://imagej.github.io/Fijiyama

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Does it feel right?—Emotional and embodied processes as a ‘shadowy epistemology’ in difficult child protection cases
Authors: Bjerre Line Søberg , Nissen Maria Appel
Published: September 2020

Social workers in child protection services must make difficult decisions often based on fragmented knowledge and the inevitable risk of not knowing what is important to know about a child and the family. Cases of severe neglect have been subject to public attention of politicians and media in several European countries often followed by reforms with a strong focus on standardising risk assessment and documentation. This article argues and shows that emotional and embodied processes are an important source of knowledge in child protection. Such processes appear in social workers’ narratives about worries for the well-being and security of children underpinned by moments of silence and symbolic bodily utterances. These ways of communicating emotions help social workers navigate and make sense in child protection cases, where knowledge is limited. The question ‘Does it feel right?’ becomes crucial in terms of identifying and expressing potential risks. However, as a legitimate professional question that can lead to valuable knowledge it remains latent. Therefore, emotional and embodied processes constitute a ‘shadowy epistemology’ (Bruner, J. (1991) ‘The narrative construction of reality’, Critical Inquiry, 18(1), pp. 1–21). Instead of denouncing these processes, we need to develop a professional language of understanding and naming them, and the aim of this article is to contribute to this.
A novel RFC1 repeat motif (ACAGG) in two Asia-Pacific CANVAS families
Authors: Scriba Carolin K , Beecroft Sarah J , Clayton Joshua S , Cortese Andrea , Sullivan Roisin , Yau Wai Yan , Dominik Natalia , Rodrigues Miriam , Walker Elizabeth , Dyer Zoe , Wu Teddy Y , Davis Mark R , Chandler David C , Weisburd Ben , Houlden Henry , Reilly Mary M , Laing Nigel G , Lamont Phillipa J , Roxburgh Richard H , Ravenscroft Gianina
Published: September 2020

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a progressive late-onset, neurological disease. Recently, a pentanucleotide expansion in intron 2 of RFC1 was identified as the genetic cause of CANVAS. We screened an Asian-Pacific cohort for CANVAS and identified a novel RFC1 repeat expansion motif, (ACAGG)exp, in three affected individuals. This motif was associated with additional clinical features including fasciculations and elevated serum creatine kinase. These features have not previously been described in individuals with genetically-confirmed CANVAS. Haplotype analysis showed our patients shared the same core haplotype as previously published, supporting the possibility of a single origin of the RFC1 disease allele. We analysed data from >26 000 genetically diverse individuals in gnomAD to show enrichment of (ACAGG) in non-European populations.
Local sleep-like cortical reactivity in the awake brain after focal injury
Authors: Sarasso Simone , D’Ambrosio Sasha , Fecchio Matteo , Casarotto Silvia , Viganò Alessandro , Landi Cristina , Mattavelli Giulia , Gosseries Olivia , Quarenghi Matteo , Laureys Steven , Devalle Guya , Rosanova Mario , Massimini Marcello
Published: September 2020

The functional consequences of focal brain injury are thought to be contingent on neuronal alterations extending beyond the area of structural damage. This phenomenon, also known as diaschisis, has clinical and metabolic correlates but lacks a clear electrophysiological counterpart, except for the long-standing evidence of a relative EEG slowing over the injured hemisphere. Here, we aim at testing whether this EEG slowing is linked to the pathological intrusion of sleep-like cortical dynamics within an awake brain. We used a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS/EEG) to study cortical reactivity in a cohort of 30 conscious awake patients with chronic focal and multifocal brain injuries of ischaemic, haemorrhagic and traumatic aetiology. We found that different patterns of cortical reactivity typically associated with different brain states (coma, sleep, wakefulness) can coexist within the same brain. Specifically, we detected the occurrence of prominent sleep-like TMS-evoked slow waves and off-periods—reflecting transient suppressions of neuronal activity—in the area surrounding focal cortical injuries. These perilesional sleep-like responses were associated with a local disruption of signal complexity whereas complex responses typical of the awake brain were present when stimulating the contralesional hemisphere. These results shed light on the electrophysiological properties of the tissue surrounding focal brain injuries in humans. Perilesional sleep-like off-periods can disrupt network activity but are potentially reversible, thus representing a principled read-out for the neurophysiological assessment of stroke patients, as well as an interesting target for rehabilitation.
Infant Outcomes Following Maternal Infection With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): First Report From the Pregnancy Coronavirus Outcomes Registry (PRIORITY) Study
Authors: Flaherman Valerie J , Afshar Yalda , Boscardin W John , Keller Roberta L , H Mardy Anne , Prahl Mary K , T Phillips Carolyn , Asiodu Ifeyinwa V , Berghella Vincenzo , Chambers Brittany D , Crear-Perry Joia , Jamieson Denise J , Jacoby Vanessa L , Gaw Stephanie L
Published: September 2020

Infant outcomes after maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are not well described. In a prospective US registry of 263 infants, maternal SARS-CoV-2 status was not associated with birth weight, difficulty breathing, apnea, or upper or lower respiratory infection through 8 weeks of age.
The Impact of Sociodemographic Factors, Comorbidities, and Physiologic Responses on 30-Day Mortality in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients in Metropolitan Detroit
Authors: Miller Joseph , Fadel Raef A , Tang Amy , Perrotta Giuseppe , Herc Erica , Soman Sandeep , Nair Sashi , Hanna Zachary , Zervos Marcus J , Alangaden George , Brar Indira , Suleyman Geehan
Published: September 2020

Background

The relationship of health disparities and comorbidities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related outcomes are an ongoing area of interest. This report assesses risk factors associated with mortality in patients presenting with COVID-19 infection and healthcare disparities.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients presenting to emergency departments within an integrated health system who tested positive for COVID-19 between 7 March and 30 April 2020 in metropolitan Detroit. The primary outcomes were hospitalization and 30-day mortality.

Results

A total of 3633 patients with a mean age of 58 years were included. The majority were female and Black non-Hispanic. Hospitalization was required for 64% of patients, 56% of whom were Black. Hospitalized patients were older, more likely to reside in a low-income area, and had a higher burden of comorbidities. By 30 days, 433 (18.7%) hospitalized patients died. In adjusted analyses, the presence of comorbidities, an age >60 years, and more severe physiological disturbance were associated with 30-day mortality. Residence in low-income areas (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], .76–1.36) and public insurance (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, .76–2.01) were not independently associated with a higher risk of mortality. Black female patients had a lower adjusted risk of mortality (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, .27–.78).

Conclusions

In this large cohort of COVID-19 patients, those with comorbidities, advanced age, and physiological abnormalities on presentation had higher odds of death. Disparities in income or source of health insurance were not associated with outcomes. Black women had a lower risk of dying.
Whole-genome Sequencing to Track Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Transmission in Nosocomial Outbreaks
Authors: Lucey Mary , Macori Guerrino , Mullane Niamh , Sutton-Fitzpatrick Una , Gonzalez Gabriel , Coughlan Suzie , Purcell Aisling , Fenelon Lynda , Fanning Séamus , Schaffer Kirsten
Published: September 2020

Background

During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare institutions posed a significant problem. Due to limited evidence, guidance on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures such as the wearing of face masks varied. Here, we applied whole virus genome sequencing (WvGS) to analyze transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 in hospital-acquired (HA) COVID-19.

Methods

An investigation was undertaken for all HA cases of COVID-19 from March to April 2020. Fifty SARS-CoV-2 samples were analysed by WvGS and their phylogenetic relationship established.

Results

WvGS identified transmission events previously undetected by epidemiological analysis and provided evidence for SARS-CoV-2 transmission between healthcare workers (HCW) and patients and among HCW themselves. The majority of HA COVID-19 cases occurred in patients highly dependent on nursing care, suggesting the likely route of transmission was by close contact or droplet, rather than aerosol, transmission. Mortality among HA COVID-19 infections was recorded as 33%.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs from symptomatic and asymptomatic HCWs to patients. Interventions including comprehensive screening of HCWs for COVID-19 symptoms, PCR testing of asymptomatic HCWs upon identification of HA cases and implementation of universal use of surgical masks for all clinical care is indicated to prevent viral transmission. Our study highlights the importance of close collaboration between guidance bodies and frontline IPC experts for developing control measures in an emergency pandemic situation caused by a virus with undefined transmission modus.
Best Practice Guidance for Adult Infusion Centres during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Report from the COVID-19 International Organization for the Study of IBD [IOIBD] Task Force
Authors: Dotan Iris , Panaccione Remo , Kaplan Gilaad G , O’Morain Colm , Lindsay James O , Abreu Maria T
Published: September 2020

Infusion centres are a central part in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and could be a source of transmission of SARS-COV-2. Here we aimed to develop global guidance for best practices of infusion centres for IBD patients and to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these centres. Under the auspices of the International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IOIBD], a task force [TF] was formed, an online survey was developed to query infusion centre protocols during COVID-19, and recommendations were made, based on TF experience and opinion. Recommendations focus mainly on patients screening, infusion centres re-organization, personnel protection, and protocol modifications such as shortening infusion duration or replacing it with subcutaneous alternatives. Implementing these recommendations will hopefully reduce exposure of both IBD patients and care givers to SARS-COV-2 and improve the function and safety of infusion centres during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as potential future threats.
The ‘fertile island effect’ of Welwitschia plants on soil microbiota is influenced by plant gender
Authors: Doniger Tirza , Adams Jonathan M , Marais Eugene , Maggs-Kölling Gillian , Sherman Chen , Kerfahi Dorsaf , Yang Ying , Steinberger Yosef
Published: September 2020

Desert and semi-desert plants are often associated with a distinct soil biota under the plants and close to the root system. We aimed to understand if similar effects could be found in the taxonomically isolated desert gymnosperm Welwitschia mirabilis in the Namib Desert, and whether this island effect varied with climate and with gender of plants. We took soil cores adjacent to the plants in environments ranging from extreme desert to arid shrubland, and in nearby control sites between the plants. Soil chemistry was analysed, and deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted and sequenced for the bacterial 16s region. Soil under the plants was richer in organic C, N and moisture. Despite the range of climates, the soil around Welwitschia plants was consistently associated with a particular bacterial community composition that was distinct from samples further away. Compared to unvegetated control patches, bacterial diversity close to the plants was reduced. In the plant-associated soil community, there was a clear gender effect across all sites with a distinct community composition and greater diversity under male plants. It is unclear what differences in the soil environment might be producing these gender-associated differences, which provide an additional dimension to the fertile island effect.
Temporal dynamics of bacterial communities during seed development and maturation
Authors: Chesneau Guillaume , Torres-Cortes Gloria , Briand Martial , Darrasse Armelle , Preveaux Anne , Marais Coralie , Jacques Marie-Agnès , Shade Ashley , Barret Matthieu
Published: September 2020

Seed microbiota acts as a starting point for the assembly of the plant microbiota and contributes to successful plant establishment. To date, the order and timing of microbial taxa immigration during seed development and maturation remained unknown. We investigated the temporal dynamics of seed bacterial communities in bean and radish. A high phylogenetic turnover was observed for both plant species with few taxa associated with all seed developmental stages. Greater heterogeneity in communities structure within each stage was observed for radish. While, about one-third of radish seed bacterial taxa were detected in buds, flowers and fruits, very few taxa seem to be transmitted by the floral route in bean. In the latter species, bacterial populations belonging to the P. fluorescens species complex were found either in buds, flowers and fruits or in seeds. The relative phylogenetic proximity of these bacterial populations combined with their habitat specificity led us to explore the genetic determinants involved in successful seed transmission in bean. Comparative genomic analyses of representatives bacterial strains revealed dozens of coding sequences specifically associated with seed-transmitted strains. This study provided a first glimpse on processes involved in seed microbiota assembly, which could be used for designing plant-beneficial microbial consortia.
Programmed death-ligand 1 expression in the tumour stroma of colorectal liver oligometastases and its association with prognosis after liver resection
Authors: Peng Jian-Hong , Tai Yi , Zhao Yi-Xin , Luo Bao-Jia , Ou Qing-Jian , Pan Zhi-Zhong , Zhang Lin , Lu Zhen-Hai
Published: September 2020

Background

The clinical value of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in colorectal liver oligometastases (CLOs) remains undefined. This study aimed to detect PD-L1 in the microenvironment of CLOs and determine its association with patient prognosis.

Methods

We collected 126 liver-resection specimens from CLO patients who underwent curative liver resection between June 1999 and December 2016. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess PD-L1 expression in paraffin-embedded specimens. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test.

Results

PD-L1 was mainly expressed in the stroma of liver oligometastases. Patients with high PD-L1 expression had a higher proportion of clinical-risk scores (CRSs) of 2–4 (67.7% vs 40.4%; P = 0.004). With a median 58-month follow-up, patients with high PD-L1 expression had a significantly lower 3-year OS rate (65.5% vs 92.7%; P = 0.001) and 3-year RFS rate (34.7% vs 83.8%; P < 0.001) than patients with low PD-L1 expression. Multivariate Cox analysis demonstrated that high PD-L1 expression (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.581; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.301–9.972; P = 0.015), CRS 2–4 (HR = 6.960; 95% CI 1.135–42.689; P = 0.036) and increased preoperative CA19-9 (HR = 2.843; 95% CI 1.229–6.576; P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for OS. High PD-L1 expression (HR = 4.815; 95% CI 2.139–10.837; P < 0.001) and lymph-node metastasis (HR = 2.115; 95% CI 1.041–4.297; P = 0.038) were independent risk factors for RFS.

Conclusion

This study found that PD-L1 was commonly expressed in the tumour stroma of CLOs and high PD-L1 expression was associated with poor prognosis.
Crustal attenuation from USArray ML amplitude tomography
Authors: Hearn Thomas M
Published: September 2020

Seismic attenuation across the US is estimated using station ML magnitude data from the USArray. Station magnitudes are recalibrated back to amplitude and back projected in a 2-D tomography. Data represent the amplitudes of the horizontal components of the Lg phase. The western US shows regions of very high attenuation and contrasts with the lesser attenuation of the eastern US. Individual attenuation anomalies can be clearly tied to regional geology. Station gains show broad regional variations that match geographic regions. Most of the high-attenuation areas are regions of high geothermal activity suggesting that intrinsic attenuation dominates over scattering attenuation. An exception is the central San Andreas Fault zone because it lacks any localized heat-flow anomaly. The US east of the Rocky Mountains is bland and contains none of the high-attenuation regions of the western US. Instead, the central US has low-attenuation patches that do not obviously correspond to geologic province. Sediments of the Gulf Coast Plain, Willison Basin and Michigan Basin do show up as intermediate attenuation while the Illinois Basin, Appalachian Basin and other basins are not apparent. In Alaska, attenuation is generally less than the western US, but still much greater than the eastern US. In southeast Alaska, the Wrangell Volcanic Field causes a sizeable high-attenuation zone. The volcanic Aleutian Mountains also have high attenuation. However, moderate to high attenuation also correlates with the tertiary sedimentary basins in Alaska. The North Slope Basin does not seem to attenuate. Thicker crust and mountain roots tend to show less attenuation, if anything, but this correspondence is most likely due to differences in temperature and seismic velocity. Heat, scattering and young sedimentary basins create seismic attenuation in the continental crust.
The effectiveness of (Rabbinic) prenuptial agreements in preventing marital captivity
Authors: Broyde Michael J
Published: September 2020

Jewish law (also known as Halakha) requires that a man give and a woman receive a get, a Jewish bill of divorce, in order to end their Jewish marriage, which has a legal existence independent of their civil marriage and is not ended by a civil divorce. Since around 1960, there have been many attempts to solve this problem of marital captivity in North America. American prenuptial agreements (PNAs) best address this problem of Orthodox Jewish husbands withholding a get. This article explains why Jewish law prefers contract-based solutions over legislative or judicial solutions and presents empirical research on which type of PNA best solves this problem in America.
Cortical Transcriptomic Alterations in Association With Appetitive Neuropeptides and Body Mass Index in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Stone Lauren A , Girgenti Matthew J , Wang Jiawei , Ji Dingjue , Zhao Hongyu , Krystal John H , Duman Ronald S
Published: September 2020

Background

The molecular pathology underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains unclear mainly due to a lack of human PTSD postmortem brain tissue. The orexigenic neuropeptides ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and hypocretin were recently implicated in modulating negative affect. Drawing from the largest functional genomics study of human PTSD postmortem tissue, we investigated whether there were molecular changes of these and other appetitive molecules. Further, we explored the interaction between PTSD and body mass index (BMI) on gene expression.

Methods

We analyzed previously reported transcriptomic data from 4 prefrontal cortex regions from 52 individuals with PTSD and 46 matched neurotypical controls. We employed gene co-expression network analysis across the transcriptomes of these regions to uncover PTSD-specific networks containing orexigenic genes. We utilized Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software for pathway annotation. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among individuals with and without PTSD, stratified by sex and BMI.

Results

Three PTSD-associated networks (P < .01) contained genes in signaling families of appetitive molecules: 2 in females and 1 in all subjects. We uncovered DEGs (P < .05) between PTSD and control subjects stratified by sex and BMI with especially robust changes in males with PTSD with elevated vs normal BMI. Further, we identified putative upstream regulators (P < .05) driving these changes, many of which were enriched for involvement in inflammation.

Conclusions

PTSD-associated cortical transcriptomic modules contain transcripts of appetitive genes, and BMI further interacts with PTSD to impact expression. DEGs and inferred upstream regulators of these modules could represent targets for future pharmacotherapies for obesity in PTSD.
Effects of High-Fat Diet and Maternal Binge-Like Alcohol Consumption and Their Influence on Cocaine Response in Female Mice Offspring
Authors: Duart-Castells Leticia , Cantacorps Lídia , López-Arnau Raúl , Montagud-Romero Sandra , Puster Brigitte , Mera Paula , Serra Dolors , Camarasa Jorge , Pubill David , Valverde Olga , Escubedo Elena
Published: September 2020

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading cause of neurobehavioral and neurocognitive deficits collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including eating disorders and increased risk for substance abuse as very common issues. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the interaction between prenatal and lactation alcohol exposure (PLAE) and a high-fat diet (HFD) during childhood and adolescence.

Methods

Pregnant C57BL/6 mice underwent a procedure for alcohol binge drinking during gestation and lactation periods. Subsequently, PLAE female offspring were fed with an HFD for 8 weeks, and thereafter, nutrition-related parameters as well as their response to cocaine were assessed.

Results

In our model, feeding young females with an HFD increased their triglyceride blood levels but did not induce overweight compared with those fed with a standard diet. Moreover, PLAE affected how females responded to the fatty diet as they consumed less food than water-exposed offspring, consistent with a lower gain of body weight. HFD increased the psychostimulant effects of cocaine. Surprisingly, PLAE reduced the locomotor responses to cocaine without modifying cocaine-induced reward. Moreover, PLAE prevented the striatal overexpression of cannabinoid 1 receptors induced by an HFD and induced an alteration of myelin damage biomarker in the prefrontal cortex, an effect that was mitigated by an HFD-based feeding.

Conclusion

Therefore, in female offspring, some effects triggered by one of these factors, PLAE or an HFD, were blunted by the other, suggesting a close interaction between the involved mechanisms.
Application of the Crank–Nicolson time integrator to viscoelastic wave equations with boundary feedback damping
Authors: Xu Da
Published: September 2020

We study the numerical solutions for a boundary feedback mechanism on torsional vibrations of a homogeneous viscoelastic rod. The problem is discretized by the Crank–Nicolson scheme based on the trapezoidal rule: while the time derivative is approximated by the trapezoidal rule in a two-step way, a convolution quadrature formula, constructed again from the trapezoidal rule, is used to approximate the integral term. Error estimates of the numerical scheme are derived in the $ l^{\infty }_{t}(0,~\infty ;~L^{2}(0,~1)) $ norm. Results from some numerical experiment are presented.
p-adic Integration on Bad Reduction Hyperelliptic Curves
Authors: Katz Eric , Kaya Enis
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we introduce an algorithm for computing $p$-adic integrals on bad reduction hyperelliptic curves. For bad reduction curves, there are two notions of $p$-adic integration: Berkovich–Coleman integrals, which can be performed locally, and abelian integrals with desirable number-theoretic properties. By covering a bad reduction hyperelliptic curve with basic wide-open sets, we reduce the computation of Berkovich–Coleman integrals to the known algorithms on good reduction hyperelliptic curves. These are due to Balakrishnan, Bradshaw, and Kedlaya and to Balakrishnan and Besser for regular and meromorphic $1$-forms, respectively. We then employ tropical geometric techniques due to the 1st-named author with Rabinoff and Zureick-Brown to convert the Berkovich–Coleman integrals into abelian integrals. We provide examples of our algorithm, verifying that certain abelian integrals between torsion points vanish.
A mobile microvolume UV/visible light spectrophotometer for the measurement of levofloxacin in saliva
Authors: Alffenaar Jan-Willem C , Jongedijk Erwin M , van Winkel Claudia A J , Sariko Margaretha , Heysell Scott K , Mpagama Stellah , Touw Daan J
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for personalized dosing of fluoroquinolones has been recommended to optimize efficacy and reduce acquired drug resistance in the treatment of MDR TB. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a simple, low-cost, robust assay for TDM using mobile UV/visible light (UV/VIS) spectrophotometry to quantify levofloxacin in human saliva at the point of care for TB endemic settings.

Methods

All experiments were performed on a mobile UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The levofloxacin concentration was quantified by using the amplitude of the second-order spectrum between 300 and 400 nm of seven calibrators. The concentration of spiked samples was calculated from the spectrum amplitude using linear regression. The method was validated for selectivity, specificity, linearity, accuracy and precision. Drugs frequently co-administered were tested for interference.

Results

The calibration curve was linear over a range of 2.5–50.0 mg/L for levofloxacin, with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. Calculated accuracy ranged from –5.2% to 2.4%. Overall precision ranged from 2.1% to 16.1%. Application of the Savitsky–Golay method reduced the effect of interferents on the quantitation of levofloxacin. Although rifampicin and pyrazinamide showed analytical interference at the lower limit of quantitation of levofloxacin concentrations, this interference had no implication on decisions regarding the levofloxacin dose.

Conclusions

A simple UV/VIS spectrophotometric method to quantify levofloxacin in saliva using a mobile nanophotometer has been validated. This method can be evaluated in programmatic settings to identify patients with low levofloxacin drug exposure to trigger personalized dose adjustment.
Why We Don’t Click: Interrogating the Relationship Between Viewing and Clicking in Social Media Contexts by Exploring the “Non-Click”
Authors: Ellison Nicole B , Triệu Penny , Schoenebeck Sarita , Brewer Robin , Israni Aarti
Published: September 2020

Motivated by work that characterizes view-based social media practices as “passive use,” contrasting it with more desirable, interactive “active use,” this study explores how social media users understand their viewing and clicking practices and the empirical relationship between them. Employing a combination of eye tracking, survey, and interview methods, our study (N = 42) investigates the non-click—instances where people intentionally and thoughtfully do not click on content they spend time viewing. Counterintuitively, we find no difference in viewing duration to clicked versus non-clicked Facebook content. We find that use motivations and Facebook feed content are significant predictors of click behavior but measures of overall use, such as network size or minutes of use per day, are not. Our interview data reveal three audience-related concerns that contribute to deliberate non-clicking and illustrate how non-clicked content contributes to social connectedness when imported into other channels. We discuss implications for researchers, users, and designers.
Financialization, securitization and the decline of pubs in Britain
Authors: Keenan Liam
Published: September 2020

Pubs in Britain are closing at a rapid rate. While changing regulatory, demographic and consumer trends have weakened the viability of pubs businesses in recent years, less is known about the role of Pub Companies, or ‘pubcos’, in contributing to the decline of the sector. Reflecting the core elements of financialization, pubcos acquire assets through securitization, prioritize shareholder value and operate under short-term financial targets and metrics. Adopting an institutionally sensitive geographical political economy approach, this article analyzes the ways in which pubcos, through financialization and securitization, have transformed the ownership and geographies of pubs in Britain. Foregrounding the firm as the unit of analysis, it emphasizes the importance of firm agency in creating more granular understandings of the geographical causes and implications of securitization. Analyzing the interrelationships between actors involved in the securitization process, particularly tensions between shareholders and bondholders, this article makes a novel contribution around the variegated, contradictory and conflicted nature of firm-level financialization.
Comparison of two measures for Complicated Grief: Brief Grief Questionnaire (BGQ) and Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG)
Authors: Igarashi Naoko , Aoyama Maho , Ito Masaya , Nakajima Satomi , Sakaguchi Yukihiro , Morita Tatsuya , Shima Yasuo , Miyashita Mitsunori
Published: September 2020

Objective

No prior studies have used a single sample of bereaved families of cancer patients to compare multiple scales for assessing Complicated Grief. Here, we compare the two measures.

Methods

We sent a questionnaire to the bereaved families of cancer patients who had died at 71 palliative care units nationwide.

Results

The analysis included 3173 returned questionnaires. Prevalence of Complicated Grief was 7.8% by Brief Grief Questionnaire (with a cutoff score of 8) and 15.5% for Inventory of Complicated Grief (with a cutoff score of 26). The Spearman’s correlation coefficient between the Brief Grief Questionnaire and the Inventory of Complicated Grief was 0.79, and a ceiling effect was seen for the distribution of the Brief Grief Questionnaire scores. Although 6.4% of respondents scored both 8 or higher on the Brief Grief Questionnaire and 26 or higher on the Inventory of Complicated Grief, only 1.4% scored both 8 or higher on the Brief Grief Questionnaire and <26 on the Inventory of Complicated Grief. In contrast, 9.1% scored <8 on the Brief Grief Questionnaire but 26 or higher on the Inventory of Complicated Grief.

Conclusion

The prevalence of Complicated Grief was estimated to be higher by the Inventory of Complicated Grief than by the Brief Grief Questionnaire in this sample. Patients with severe Complicated Grief might be difficult to discriminate their intensity of grief by the Brief Grief Questionnaire. Once the diagnostic criteria of Complicated Grief are established, further research, such as optimization of cutoff points and calculations of sensitivity and specificity, will be necessary.