bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embrapa and the construction of scientific heritage in Brazilian agriculture: Sowing memory
Authors: Cabral Lídia
Published: November 2020

Motivation

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa, is well known for incorporating the Cerrado into Brazil’s modern agriculture through its discoveries of how to improve infertile soils and to develop soybean seeds adapted to the tropics. Known as the Tropical Revolution, Brazil’s own Green Revolution, this past episode continues to define Embrapa’s identity and Brazil’s agricultural science and technology, reinforcing a view of agricultural development while neglecting alternatives.

Purpose

This article seeks to understand how Embrapa has carved its name in Brazil’s agricultural history, creating a powerful national brand with global recognition. It explores what constitutes Embrapa’s “organizational heritage,” how this has been built within the organization and to what effect.

Approach and methods

To commemorate Embrapa’s 40th anniversary in 2014, an official history (“Memória Embrapa”) was written, focusing on the success of the organization and the reasons for this. This source has been reviewed, then combined with evidence from interviews with 29 Embrapa researchers about the strengths and shortcomings of organizational heritage.

Findings

Embrapa’s story of success focuses on selected technological breakthroughs, highly trained and motivated scientists, and a sense of mission towards Brazilian society. This omits, however, some successes, challenges and alternative approaches to research that do not fit well with the simplified history. Three such omissions stand out: (1) the official history barely mentions the concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the spread of large‐scale farming—which much of Embrapa’s research had served; (2) Embrapa created a national seed bank, to which indigenous groups demanded access since they had conserved much of the genetic material in the bank (policy was changed to allow indigenous groups access and to promote a dialogue between the scientists and the farmers); and (3), in similar vein, some scientists in Embrapa endeavour to engage with local expertise, with ethnoscience, to enrich and broaden the research.

Policy implications

Rooting Embrapa’s brand in history makes the narrative persistent and hard to challenge. This risks creating a simplified, monolithic narrative about Embrapa and Brazilian agriculture that feeds technocratic fixations with high science and transfer of technology as the dominant pathway to agricultural development and food security. This may have been considered necessary in the 1970s, but increasingly the agricultural research agenda must include environmental sustainability and conservation of agricultural biodiversity, climate change, social fairness and a respectful engagement with different ways of researching, including learning from the longstanding practices of farmers.
Occurrence and impact of the parasitic mite Linobia coccinellae on its host beetle Chrysomela populi: implications for its potential as a biological control agent
Authors: Pohlink Klara , Georgi Richard , Müller Michael
Published: November 2020

Due to social demands with regard to sustainability and ecological considerations, an aim of current research in short‐rotation coppices (SRC) is to find effective candidates for biological control of pest species. The great red poplar leaf beetle, Chrysomela populi L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of the most harmful pests in the SRC. The endoparasitic mite Linobia coccinellae (Scopoli) (Acari: Astigmata, Hemisarcoptidae) lives under the elytra of C. populi and feeds on the beetles' hemolymph. The population dynamics of the mites and their impact on the fecundity and longevity of female beetles were examined in two experiments. To study the occurrence of the mites, beetles were collected from two poplar SRC sites in Germany on three dates. Infestation rates of collected male and female C. populi individuals increased over the course of the year and reached 78–97% in the last survey. Females were parasitized more often than males at any time. For the second part of the study, beetles were reared under laboratory conditions to study the development of the mites and their impact on the hosts. For this purpose, half of the females were actively seeded with five adult females of L. coccinellae and the other half was used as a control. There was no significant impact on longevity or reproductive traits of the beetles. Despite the high rates of infestation, it appears that the mites do not have a serious effect on female beetles. Thus L. coccinellae, by itself, is not an effective biological control agent against C. populi. However, it remains to be investigated whether the mites increase the beetles' susceptibility to other biotic and abiotic factors, and so may contribute to an integrated pest management regime with multiple antagonists.
Analysis of central place foraging behaviour of wolves using hidden Markov models
Authors: Ylitalo Anna‐Kaisa , Heikkinen Juha , Kojola Ilpo
Published: November 2020

The foraging movement behaviour of grey wolves (Canis lupus) is unique in summer, when the focus of breeding wolves is on taking care of new‐born offspring. In this study, we analysed the movement tracks of nine radio‐collared wolves during their pup‐rearing season. The wolves lived in the boreal zone in Finland. Our interest was in analysing the foraging trips of wolves from the den site, which serves as the central place of the pack in summer. Based on the information on spatial relocations and time of the day, the movement tracks of the collared wolves were split into segments using hidden Markov models (HMM). Those segments were considered to be produced by different movement behaviour modes that were not observed. We first split the movement tracks of the wolves into separate foraging trips using a two‐state HMM and further extracted the different movement modes with a four‐state HMM. The modes were interpreted as rest, moderate activity, homing to the den site and fast movement for other purposes, such as leaving the den. Our analysis showed that, for most of the individuals, the movement during homing was fastest and most persistent. This research highlights the foraging behaviour of wolves during the pup‐rearing season, which has gained less attention than the nomadic behaviour outside of this season. Our study showed how cyclic foraging trips can be divided into behavioural phases using HMMs, and how these behaviours appear in different times of the day. These results have potential uses, for instance, when studying the habitat requirements and usage or assessing the risk of human–wildlife conflicts.
Study design synopsis: Bias can cast a dark shadow over studies
Authors: Fosgate Geoffrey T.
Published: November 2020

The study of free‐living populations is important to generate knowledge related to the epidemiology of disease and other health outcomes. These studies are unable to provide the same level of control as is possible in laboratory studies and thus are susceptible to certain errors. The primary categories of study errors are random and systematic. Random errors cause imprecision and can be quantified using statistical methods including the calculation of confidence intervals. Systematic errors cause bias, which is typically difficult to quantify within the context of an individual study. The three main categories of systematic errors are selection, information, and confounding bias. Selection bias occurs when enrolled animals are not representative of the target population of interest in respect to characteristics important to the primary study objective. Information bias occurs when data collected from enrolled animals deviates from the true value. Information bias is most damaging when errors vary among comparison groups. Both selection and information bias are prevented through the application of good study design procedures. Researchers should select study animals after careful consideration of the primary study objective and desired target population. Investigators can reduce information bias through standardised data collection procedures and the use of blinding. Confounding bias occurs when the measured association between a predictor and an outcome ignores the influential effect of an additional variable. Confounding is common and analysts must implement the appropriate statistical adjustments to reduce the associated bias. All studies will have some errors and biased data with high precision are the most damaging to the validity of study conclusions. Authors can facilitate the critical evaluation of their research by providing text related to the limitations and potential sources of bias within the discussion section of their manuscripts.
Modeling the impacts of climate change on thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata) on the Northeast US shelf using trawl and longline surveys
Authors: Grieve Brian D. , Hare Jonathan A. , McElroy W. David
Published: November 2020

Climate change has been shown to impact marine fish populations and communities. With small population sizes, long reproduction times, and a rapidly warming habitat, thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata) could be particularly vulnerable. To examine this possibility, we used a two‐stage generalized additive model to project future thorny skate abundances under two different climate scenarios. This is the first study in the northeastern United States to compare projections based on different survey methods (bottom trawl and longline), and results were heavily impacted by survey methodology. Models trained with the NOAA Bottom Trawl Survey projected a decrease in abundance of ~60%–80% in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank under the RCP 8.5 climate scenario. With aggressive mitigation (RCP 4.5), these decreases could be reduced to ~35%–45%. Models trained with a recent NOAA longline survey indicated that thorny skate abundance would be reduced 22% and 37% under business as usual and mitigation, respectively. There are substantial methodological differences between the two data sets, including capture technique and efficiency, total habitat coverage, and spatio‐temporal coverage. This underscores the importance of continued, methodologically diverse surveys on the Northeast US continental shelf. Our results indicate that climate change will continue to negatively impact thorny skate populations by reducing the amount of thermally suitable habitat in the southern extent of their range. This information should be considered in future management decisions.
Urban gulls adapt foraging schedule to human‐activity patterns
Authors: Spelt Anouk , Soutar Oliver , Williamson Cara , Memmott Jane , Shamoun‐Baranes Judy , Rock Peter , Windsor Shane
Published: November 2020

Numerous animals are able to adapt to temporal patterns in natural food availability, but whether species living in relatively novel environments such as cities can adapt to anthropogenic activity cycles is less well understood. We aimed to assess the extent to which urban gulls have adapted their foraging schedule to anthropogenic food source fluctuations related to human activity by combining field observations at three distinct urban feeding grounds (park, school and waste centre) with global positioning system (GPS) tracking data of gulls visiting similar types of feeding grounds throughout the same city. We found that the birds' foraging patterns closely matched the timing of school breaks and the opening and closing times of the waste centre, but gull activity in the park appeared to correspond to the availability of natural food sources. Overall, this suggests that gulls may have the behavioural flexibility to adapt their foraging behaviour to human time schedules when beneficial and that this trait could potentially enable them to thrive in cities.
Mechanical properties and repair bond strength of polymer‐based CAD/CAM restorative materials
Authors: Sismanoglu Soner , Tugce Gurcan Aliye , Yildirim‐Bilmez Zuhal , Gumustas Burak
Published: November 2020

Information on the mechanical properties and repairability of computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) blocks is scarce. Five CAD/CAM blocks with similar indications were evaluated, including four resin nanoceramics, one polymer‐infiltrated ceramic network (PICN), and one feldspathic ceramic. CAD/CAM blocks were sectioned into 4 mm × 1.2 mm × 13 mm bars for flexural strength (FS), and 4 mm thick blocks were prepared for elastic modulus (EM), nanohardness (NH), and microshear bond strength (µSBS) testing. FS of the CAD/CAM blocks was determined using a three‐point bending test, whereas EM and NH values were measured using a nanoindenter. The reparability of the tested block materials was determined by the µSBS test. One‐way ANOVA was conducted for FS, EM, NH, and µSBS followed by Tukey's pairwise comparison (α < 0.05). FS ranged from 115 to 207 MPa, EM from 8.21 to 44 GPa, NH from 0.76 to 7.24, and µSBS from 24.9 to 30.6 MPa. The findings of the present study revealed that resin nanoceramic blocks exhibited higher FS values than PICN and feldspathic ceramic, and they have acceptable mechanical properties for the fabrication of single‐unit restorations according to the ISO 6872:2008. Furthermore, all CAD/CAM blocks tested can be successfully repaired regarding their recommended repair protocol.
Anti‐inflammatory and immune‐modulatory impacts of berberine on activation of autoreactive T cells in autoimmune inflammation
Authors: Ehteshamfar Seyed‐Morteza , Akhbari Masoume , Afshari Jalil Tavakol , Seyedi Motahareh , Nikfar Banafsheh , Shapouri‐Moghaddam Abbas , Ghanbarzadeh Erfan , Momtazi‐Borojeni Amir Abbas
Published: November 2020

Autoreactive inflammatory CD4+ T cells, such as T helper (Th)1 and Th17 subtypes, have been found to associate with the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. On the other hand, CD4+ Foxp3+ T regulatory (Treg) cells are crucial for the immune tolerance and have a critical role in the suppression of the excessive immune and inflammatory response promoted by these Th cells. In contrast, dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages are immune cells that through their inflammatory functions promote autoreactive T‐cell responses in autoimmune conditions. In recent years, there has been increasing attention to exploring effective immunomodulatory or anti‐inflammatory agents from the herbal collection of traditional medicine. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is one of the main active ingredients extracted from medicinal herbs and has been shown to exert various biological and pharmacological effects that are suggested to be mainly attributed to its anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Several lines of experimental study have recently investigated the therapeutic potential of berberine for treating autoimmune conditions in animal models of human autoimmune diseases. Here, we aimed to seek mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory effects of berberine on autoreactive inflammatory responses in autoimmune conditions. Reported data reveal that berberine can directly suppress functions and differentiation of pro‐inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells, and indirectly decrease Th cell‐mediated inflammation through modulating or suppressing other cells assisting autoreactive inflammation, such as Tregs, DCs and macrophages.
MiR‐503 suppresses fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation by targeting VEGFA and FGFR1 in silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wu Qiuyun , Han Lei , Gui Wenwen , Wang Feng , Yan Weiwen , Jiang Hua
Published: November 2020

Inhalation and deposition of crystalline silica particles in the lung can cause pulmonary fibrosis, then leading to silicosis. Given the paucity of effective drugs for silicosis, new insights for understanding the mechanisms of silicosis, including lung fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation, are essential to explore therapeutic strategies. Our previous research showed that the up‐regulation of miR‐503 alleviated silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. In this study, we investigated whether miR‐503 can regulate the TGF‐β1‐induced effects in lung fibroblasts. Mimic‐based strategies aiming at up‐regulating miR‐503 were used to discuss the function of miR‐503 in vivo and in vitro. We found that the expression level of miR‐503 was decreased in fibroblasts stimulated by TGF‐β1, and the up‐regulation of miR‐503 reduced the release of fibrotic factors and inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of fibroblasts. Combined with the up‐regulation of miR‐503 in a mouse model of silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis, we revealed that miR‐503 mitigated the TGF‐β1‐induced effects in fibroblasts by regulating VEGFA and FGFR1 and then affecting the MAPK/ERK signalling pathway. In conclusion, miR‐503 exerted protective roles in silica‐induced pulmonary fibrosis and may represent a novel and potent candidate for therapeutic strategies in silicosis.
Prediction of Meningioma WHO Grade Using PET Findings: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Slot K. Mariam , Verbaan Dagmar , Buis Dennis R. , Schoonmade Linda J. , Berckel Bart N. M. , Vandertop W. Peter
Published: November 2020

Background and Purpose

World Health Organization (WHO) grading of meningiomas reflects recurrence rate and prognosis. Positron emission tomography (PET) investigates metabolic activity, allowing for distinction between low‐ and high‐grade tumors. As preoperative suspicion for malignant meningioma will influence surgical strategy in terms of timing, extent of resection, and risks taken to achieve a total resection, we systematically reviewed the literature on PET‐imaging in meningiomas and relate these findings to histopathological analysis.

Methods

Searches in PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library, from inception to September 2019, included studies of patients who had undergone surgery for a histologically verified intracranial meningioma, with a PET‐scan prior to surgery and description of (semi)quantitative PET values for meningiomas from two different WHO groups. Studies comparing more than 1 patient per WHO group were included in the meta‐analysis.

Results

Twenty‐two studies (432 patients) were included. 18fluor‐fluorodesoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) PET was mostly described to differentiate benign from malignant meningiomas. Pooled data showed differences in mean (95% CI) Standardized Uptake Value (SUV) for WHO II/III compared to WHO I of 2.51 (1.36, 3.66), and in tumor‐to‐normal (T/N) ratio (T/N ratio) for WHO II/III versus WHO I of .42 (.12, .73).

Conclusions

We found that SUV and T/N ratio in 18F‐FDG PET may be useful to noninvasively differentiate benign from malignant meningiomas. T/N ratio seems to have a high specificity for the detection of high‐grade meningiomas. Other PET tracers were studied too infrequently to draw definitive conclusions. Before treatment strategies can be adapted based on 18F‐FDG PET, prospective studies in larger cohorts are warranted to validate the optimal T/N ratio cutoff point.
Cost–benefit analysis of age‐specific deconfinement strategies
Authors: Gollier Christian
Published: November 2020

I calibrate a Multiple‐Risk Susceptible–Infected–Recovered model on the covid pandemic to analyze the impact of the age‐specific confinement and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing policies on incomes and mortality. Two polar strategies emerge as potentially optimal. The suppression policy would crush the curve by confining 90% of the population for 4 months to eradicate the virus. The flatten‐the‐curve policy would reduce the confinement to 30% of the population for 5 months, followed by almost 1 year of free circulation of the virus to attain herd immunity without overwhelming hospitals. Both strategies yield a total cost of around 15% of annual gross domestic product (GDP) when combining the economic cost of confinement with the value of lives lost. I show that hesitating between the two strategies can have a huge societal cost, in particular if the suppression policy is stopped too early. Because seniors are much more vulnerable, a simple recommendation emerges to shelter them as one deconfines young and middle‐aged people to build our collective herd immunity. By doing so, one reduces the death toll of the pandemic together with the economic cost of the confinement, and the total cost is divided by a factor 2. I also show that expanding the mass testing capacity to screen people sent back to work has a large benefit under various scenarios. This analysis is highly dependent upon deeply uncertain epidemiologic, sociological, economic, and ethical parameters.
Advancing oral health policy through persuasive messaging and effective research measures
Authors: Burgette Jacqueline M. , Vujicic Marko , Booth Meg , Meltzer David , Best Thomas J. , Neill James , Conicella Mary Lee , Joskow Renée W. , Chalmers Natalia I.
Published: November 2020

Oral health is often excluded from broad health policy discussions, addressed only in a policy silo. There is a paucity of research to guide policymaking as it relates to oral health. In response, AcademyHealth's Oral Health Interest Group organized a meeting during the 2019 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting to promote transdisciplinary dialog on the current state of oral health policy and the steps necessary to improve the oral health of Americans. This article summarizes the two main themes that emerged from the proceedings of the Oral Health Interest Group meeting: a) recommendations for advocating the inclusion of oral health in policy discussions and b) critical research topics and measures needed for effective oral health policies in the future.
Dietary sour lemon (Citrus limon) peel essential oil supplementation for reduction of deltamethrin‐induced stress in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Amiri Resketi Maryam , Yeganeh Sakineh , Jani Khalili Khosro
Published: November 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary effects of using essential oil from sour lemon peel (Citrus limon) on growth performance, carcass composition, blood and serum parameters, and liver enzymes of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to deltamethrin (DMN) pesticide. Treatments with no lemon peel essential oil (LPEO) and without DMN (control), as well as four treatments with 10% of 96‐h lethal concentration of DMN were prepared with dietary supplementation of LPEO (zero, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg). Trout juveniles (95.12 ± 0.53 g) were randomly allocated to the treatments (each with three replicates). The results showed that dietary LPEO inclusion improved fish growth parameters in the DMN‐containing treatments. The highest fat content was found in zero LPEO treatment with no DMN while it was lowest in DMN treatments containing 400 and 600 mg/kg of LPEO. Carcass protein content was the highest in DMN treatment with 400 mg/kg of LPEO. Blood and serum biochemical parameters showed statistical differences between no LPEO treatment with DMN exposure and those detected in the control fish (p < .05). Overall, the results indicate that dietary inclusion of LPEO at 400 mg/kg level can decrease some negative effects of DMN exposure.
Whole genome resequencing reveals genomic regions associated with thermal adaptation in redband trout
Authors: Chen Zhongqi , Narum Shawn R.
Published: November 2020

Adaptation to local environments involves evolution of ecologically important traits and underlying physiological processes. Here, we used low coverage whole‐genome resequencing (lcWGR) on individuals to identify genome regions involved in thermal adaptation in wild redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri, a subspecies of rainbow trout that inhabits ecosystems ranging from cold montane forests to high elevation deserts. This study includes allele frequency‐based analyses for selective sweeps among populations, followed by multiple association tests for specific sets of phenotypes measured under thermal stress (acute and chronic survival/mortality; high or low cardiac performance groups). Depending on the groups in each set of analyses, sequencing reads covered 43%–75% of the genome at ≥15× and each analysis included millions of SNPs across the genome. In tests for selective sweeps among populations, a total of six chromosomal regions were significant. The further association tests for specific phenotypes revealed that the region on chromosome 4 was consistently the most significant and contains the cerk gene (ceramide kinase). This study provides insight into a potential genetic mechanism of local thermal adaptation and suggests cerk may be an important candidate gene. However, further validation of this cerk gene is necessary to determine if the association with cardiac performance results in a functional role to influence thermal performance when exposed to high water temperatures and hypoxic conditions.
The interplay of colour and bioacoustic traits in the differentiation of a Southeast Asian songbird complex
Authors: Gwee Chyi Yin , Lee Qiao Le , Mahood Simon P. , Hung Le Manh  , Tizard Robert , Eiamampai Krairat , Round Philip D. , Rheindt Frank E.
Published: November 2020

Morphological traits have served generations of biologists as a taxonomic indicator, and have been the main basis for defining and classifying species diversity for centuries. A quantitative integration of behavioural characters, such as vocalizations, in studies on biotic differentiation has arisen more recently, and the relative importance of these different traits in the diversification process remains poorly understood. To provide a framework within which to interpret the evolutionary interplay between morphological and behavioural traits, we generated a draft genome of a cryptic Southeast Asian songbird, the limestone wren‐babblerNapothera crispifrons. We resequenced whole genomes of multiple individuals of all three traditional subspecies and of a distinct leucistic population. We demonstrate strong genomic and mitochondrial divergence among all three taxa, pointing to the existence of three species‐level lineages. Despite its great phenotypic distinctness, the leucistic population was characterized by shallow genomic differentiation from its neighbour, with only a few localized regions emerging as highly diverged. Quantitative bioacoustic analysis across multiple traits revealed deep differences especially between the two taxa characterized by limited plumage differentiation. Our study demonstrates that differentiation in these furtive songbirds has resulted in a complex mosaic of colour‐based and bioacoustic differences among populations. Extreme colour differences can be anchored in few genomic loci and may therefore arise and subside rapidly.
Mesophyll conductance: walls, membranes and spatial complexity
Authors: Evans John R.
Published: November 2020

A significant resistance to CO2 diffusion is imposed by mesophyll tissue inside leaves. Mesophyll resistance, rm (or its reciprocal, mesophyll conductance, gm), reduces the rate at which Rubisco can fix CO2, increasing the water and nitrogen costs of carbon acquisition. gm varies in proportion to the surface area of chloroplasts exposed to intercellular airspace per unit leaf area. It also depends on the thickness and effective porosity of the cell wall and the CO2 permeabilities of membranes. As no measurements exist for the effective porosity of mesophyll cell walls, and CO2 permeability values are too low to account for observed rates of CO2 assimilation, conclusions from modelling must be treated with caution. There is great variation in the mesophyll resistance per unit chloroplast area for a given cell wall thickness, which may reflect differences in effective porosity. While apparent gm can vary with CO2 and irradiance, the underlying conductance at the cellular level may remain unchanged. Dynamic changes in apparent gm arise for spatial reasons and because chloroplasts differ in their photosynthetic composition and operate in different light environments. Measurements of the temperature sensitivity of membrane CO2 permeability are urgently needed to explain variation in temperature responses of gm.
Adherence to laboratory testing in pediatric liver transplant recipients
Authors: Ryan Jamie L. , Dandridge Laura M. , Fischer Ryan T.
Published: November 2020

Background

The objectives of this retrospective cohort study are to describe rates of adherence to laboratory testing 6 months to 3 years post–liver transplantation and to examine demographic and clinical factors related to lab non‐adherence and the association with medication adherence and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Medical chart review was conducted for 54 youth (mean age = 5.0 years) transplanted between 2003 and 2014. Lab adherence (≥80%) was measured as the proportion of completed labs out of the number expected. Immunosuppressant drug‐level variability was used as a proxy for medication adherence. Clinical outcomes included LAR, viral infection, hospitalization, and non‐routine clinic visit ≥12 months after transplant.

Results

Lab adherence decreased substantially over time. Single‐parent household (aOR 5.86; 95% CI: 1.38‐24.93) and no history of early rejection (aOR 3.96; 95% CI: 1.04‐15.24) were independently associated with non‐adherence. Lab non‐adherence was significantly associated with medication non‐adherence (P < .05), LAR (P = .02), and non‐routine clinic visits (P = .03).

Conclusions

Systematic monitoring of lab adherence may help in identifying pediatric LT recipients at increased risk for excessive healthcare use and adverse outcomes possibly due to poor disease management.
Double‐unit unrelated cord blood transplantation for thalassemia major: Comparison with HLA‐identical sibling bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Feng Jianhua , Lee Vincent , Leung Alex W. K. , Lam Grace K. S. , Chow Terry T. W. , Cheng Frankie W. T. , Yan Carol L. S. , Lee Cheuk Kwong , Yuen Patrick M. P. , Li Chi Kong
Published: November 2020

UCBT recipients with TM are at high risk of EF related to low number of stem cells and prior alloimmunization after multiple blood transfusions. Here, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of double‐unit UCBT using TT‐containing conditioning regimens in TM. Retrospective analysis of children who underwent double‐unit UCBT for TM in the Prince of Wales Hospital between August 2007 and January 2017, and outcome of double‐unit UCBT for TM was compared with outcome of HLA‐matched sibling BMT. Ten patients, median age 4.2 years, received double‐unit UCBT. All patients except one engrafted at a median of 19 days. None of the patients with successful engraftment had grade III or IV aGVHD. Among nine patients with successful engraftment, six of nine patients evaluable after day 100 developed cGVHD. All patients with cGVHD were well controlled after treatment with steroids and/or supportive care and maintained good quality of life. In comparison with patients receiving BMT, those given UCBT had slower platelet recovery, and more cGVHD. With a median follow‐up of 272 months after BMT and 84 months after UCBT, the 8‐year OS after BMT and UCBT was 92% and 90% (P = .84), whereas 8‐year DFS after BMT and UCBT was 87% and 80% (P = .54). UCB could be an acceptable source of stem cells for transplantation of TM patients when HLA‐matched family bone marrow donors are NA.
Product Line Flexibility for Agile and Adaptable Operations
Authors: Yayla‐Küllü H. Müge , Ryan Jennifer K. , Swaminathan Jayashankar M.
Published: November 2020

Firms increasingly need to manage uncertainty and become more agile and adaptable. This study considers how a multi‐product firm can use its product mix, resource capacity allocation, and pricing decisions to manage challenges such as structural economic shifts or changes in consumers' willingness‐to‐pay. Firms that seek to develop and use such a product line face a fundamental trade‐off. On the one hand, multiple products compete for the demand externally (i.e., cannibalization effects), as well as for the limited resource capacity internally. On the other hand, a multi‐product firm does have the ability to change the product mix and to adjust the production quantity and pricing of each product in order to manipulate supply and demand as conditions change. In this study, we demonstrate that a multi‐product firm can become more agile and adaptable under consumer purchasing behavior uncertainty by employing postponement in product mix, quantity, and pricing decisions, and by allocating capacities appropriately. In particular, we show that a firm can use its product line flexibility to make strategic adjustments after understanding the realized economic conditions, and to decide whether to follow a focus or segmentation strategy. We also extend the model to look at the value of resource flexibility and find that it has little or no benefit above and beyond the product line flexibility studied here.
Extending the framework of algorithmic regulation. The Uber case
Authors: Eyert Florian , Irgmaier Florian , Ulbricht Lena
Published: November 2020

In this article, we take forward recent initiatives to assess regulation based on contemporary computer technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence. In order to characterize current phenomena of regulation in the digital age, we build on Karen Yeung's concept of “algorithmic regulation,” extending it by building bridges to the fields of quantification, classification, and evaluation research, as well as to science and technology studies. This allows us to develop a more fine‐grained conceptual framework that analyzes the three components of algorithmic regulation asrepresentation,direction, andinterventionand proposes subdimensions for each. Based on a case study of the algorithmic regulation of Uber drivers, we show the usefulness of the framework for assessing regulation in the digital age and as a starting point for critique and alternative models of algorithmic regulation.
Risk Management Solutions for Climate Change–Induced Disasters
Authors: Kunreuther Howard
Published: November 2020

In honor of the 40th anniversary of Risk Analysis, this article suggests ways of linking risk assessment and risk perception in developing risk management strategies that have a good chance of being implemented, focusing on the problem of reducing losses from natural hazards in the face of climate change. Following a checklist for developing an implementable risk management strategy, Section 2 highlights the impact that exponential growth of CO2 emissions is likely to have on future disaster losses as assessed by climate and social scientists. Section 3 then discusses how people perceive the risks of low‐probability adverse events and the cognitive biases that lead them to underprepare for future losses. Based on this empirical evidence, Section 4 proposes a risk management strategy for reducing future losses using the principles of choice architecture to communicate the likelihood and consequences of disasters, coupled with economic incentives and well‐enforced regulations.
Forty Years of Food Safety Risk Assessment: A History and Analysis
Authors: Wu, Felicia , Rodricks Joseph V.
Published: November 2020

Before the founding of the Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) in 1980, food safety in the United States had long been a concern, but there was a lack of systematic methods to assess food‐related risks. In 1906, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Roosevelt signed, the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act to regulate food safety at the federal level. This Act followed the publication of multiple reports of food contamination, culminating in Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle, which highlighted food and worker abuses in the meatpacking industry. Later in the 20th century, important developments in agricultural and food technology greatly increased food production. But chemical exposures from agricultural and other practices resulted in major amendments to federal food laws, including the Delaney Clause, aimed specifically at cancer‐causing chemicals. Later in the 20th century, when quantitative risk assessment methods were given greater scientific status in a seminal National Research Council report, food safety risk assessment became more systematized. Additionally, in these last 40 years, food safety research has resulted in increased understanding of a range of health effects from foodborne chemicals, and technological developments have improved U.S. food safety from farm to fork by offering new ways to manage risks. We discuss the history of food safety and the role risk analysis has played in its evolution, starting from over a century ago, but focusing on the last 40 years. While we focus on chemical risk assessment in the U.S., we also discuss microbial risk assessment and international food safety.
Anticoagulation in hemodialysis: A narrative review
Authors: Claudel Sophie E. , Miles Lauren A. , Murea Mariana
Published: November 2020

Systemic anticoagulation in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) has historically been considered necessary to maintain the extracorporeal circuit (ECC) and preserve dialysis efficiency. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the most commonly used anticoagulant due to low cost and staff familiarity. Despite widespread use, there is little standardization of heparin dosing protocols in the United States. Although the complication rates with UFH are low for the general population, certain contraindications have led to exploration in alternative anticoagulants in patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). Here we review the current evidence regarding heparin dosing protocols, complications associated with heparin use, and discuss alternatives to UFH including anticoagulant‐free routine HD.
From Bauhaus to Makerspace: Meaning Design and Computer‐Aided Design in Introductory German
Authors: Emm Amy , Hawkins Dan
Published: November 2020

This article introduces a Bauhaus design apprenticeship for first‐semester German as a means of integrating multiple literacies and disciplines. In light of the need for interdisciplinary models of the multiliteracies framework in introductory‐level language curricula, a collaboration with the campus makerspace can enhance the humanities' critical literacies mission in general and the language literacies mission in particular. In the case of German, Bauhaus offers not only a source of multimodal texts with significant cultural, historical, and political content but also a theory of design that resonates with the metalanguage of design in multiliteracies pedagogy. The article proposes a Bauhaus‐multiliteracies framework and demonstrates its implementation through a “Bauhaus Lehre” in elementary German and the makerspace. Students learn the use of a simple Computer‐Aided Design (CAD) program in an instructional sequence aimed at describing and transforming language and objects alike. Student products and the results of surveys conducted with the first two groups of learners to complete the project show that learners began to envision connections between language literacy and their digital and social futures.
Multilingualism and Affective Attitudes: The Sociocognitive Profiles of First‐Year Learners of L2 German
Authors: Ruck Julia
Published: November 2020

Sociocognitive (Atkinson, 2011) and complex dynamic systems approaches (Larsen‐Freeman & Cameron, 2008) highlight the inextricable connectedness of social and cognitive phenomena in second language (L2) learning. Previous research found numerous ties between L2 learning and both learners' sociocultural background as well as their affective attitudes such as their Tolerance of Ambiguity (TOA; Ely, 1995; Herman, Stevens, Bird, Mendenhall, & Oddou, 2010). However, there is little insight as to how these social and cognitive factors are interrelated. This article explores the interconnections between sociocultural – place of upbringing, international experience, languages – and cognitive‐attitudinal – TOA, Attitudinal and Behavioral Openness (ABOS; Caligiuri, Jacobs, & Farr, 2000) – learner backgrounds among 49 elementary‐level students of L2 German at a U.S. university. Correlation analyses show a complex network of learners' sociocognitive backgrounds and suggest that international students tend to have lower TOA and higher ABOS than domestic students. Implications for L2 German teaching are discussed.
Canonical correlative analyses among an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using synthetic peptides, an indirect fluorescent antibody test, and hematologic measurements in dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis
Authors: Taques Isis I. G. G. , Koiyama Maíra F. G. , Campos Amanda N. S. , Costa Jackeliny S. , Hongyu Kuang , Aguiar Daniel M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Immunoreactive tandem repeat proteins (TRPs) in amino acid sequences were identified and employed in the serologic diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME).

Objectives

This study evaluated using TRP19 and TRP36 synthetic protein antigens with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and compared the results with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) to diagnose CME in the serum of dogs with suspected CME.

Methods

The sera of 243 dogs that exhibited clinical and hematologic signs suggestive of CME had IFATs performed. An ELISA with synthetic TRP19 and TRP36 antigens from two E canis genotypes (USTRP36 and BrTRP36) that circulate in Brazil were also performed. Canonical correlations and chi‐square tests were evaluated on the results of these tests.

Results

Among the 243 dogs, 179 (73.6%) were reactive at an IFAT ≥ 40, 167 (68.72%) reacted at the cut‐off ≥160, and 149 (61.31%) reacted at ≥640. The ELISA revealed that 172 (70.8%) dogs reacted to TRP19 peptide, 163 (67.1%) reacted to USTRP36, and 114 (46.9%) reacted to BrTRP36. The canonical correlation analyses showed that the TRP19 ELISA was the most effective diagnostic method. Serum total protein levels showed strong positive correlations with the USTRP36 peptide. Qualitative analyses revealed an association between the TRP19 peptide and the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperproteinemia. The IFAT results at titers of ≥160 and ≥640 were associated with thrombocytopenia.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicated that the TRP19 peptide was an excellent antigen and that the IFAT was diagnostically important in confirming the diagnosis of CME in serum samples.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in placental trophoblast cells experiencing gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Fisher Joshua J. , Vanderpeet Chelsea L. , Bartho Lucy A. , McKeating Daniel R. , Cuffe James S. M. , Holland Olivia. J. , Perkins Anthony V.
Published: November 2020

Key points

Mitochondrial dysfunction is known to occur in diabetic phenotypes including type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus.

The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing and defined as the onset of a diabetic phenotype during pregnancy.

The role of placental mitochondria in the aetiology of GDM remains unclear and is an emerging area of research.

Differing mitochondrial morphologies within the placenta may influence the pathogenesis of the disorder.

This study observed mitochondrial dysfunction in GDM placenta when assessing whole tissue.

Upon further investigation into mitochondrial isolates from the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast, mitochondrial dysfunction appears exaggerated in syncytiotrophoblast.

Assessing mitochondrial populations individually enabled the determination of differences between cell lineages of the placenta and established varying levels of mitochondrial dysfunction in GDM, in some instances establishing significance in pathways previously inconclusive or confounded when assessing whole tissue.

This research lays the foundation for future work into mitochondrial dysfunction in the placenta and the role it may play in the aetiology of GDM.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with diabetic phenotypes, yet the involvement of placental mitochondria in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains inconclusive. This is in part complicated by the different mitochondrial subpopulations present in the two major trophoblast cell lineages of the placenta. To better elucidate the role of mitochondria in this pathology, this study examined key aspects of mitochondrial function in placentas from healthy pregnancies and those complicated by GDM in both whole tissue and isolated mitochondria. Mitochondrial content, citrate synthase activity, reactive oxygen species production and gene expression regulating metabolic, hormonal and antioxidant control was examined in placental tissue, before examining functional differences between mitochondrial isolates from cytotrophoblast (Cyto‐Mito) and syncytiotrophoblast (Syncytio‐Mito). Our study observed evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction across multiple pathways when assessing whole placental tissue from GDM pregnancies compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, by examining isolated mitochondria from the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cell lineages of the placenta we established that although both mitochondrial populations were dysfunctional, they were differentially impacted. These data highlight the need to consider changes in mitochondrial subpopulations at the feto‐maternal interface when studying pregnancy pathologies.
Effects of Time in Sitting and Standing on Pleasantness, Acceptability, Fatigue, and Pain When Using a Sit–Stand Desk: An Experiment on Overweight and Normal-Weight Subjects
Authors: Barbieri Dechristian França , Brusaca Luiz Augusto , Mathiassen Svend Erik , Oliveira Ana Beatriz
Published: November 2020

Background: Sit–stand desks have been suggested as an initiative to increase posture variation among office workers. However, there is limited evidence of what would be preferable combinations of time sitting and standing. The aim of this study was to determine and compare perceived pleasantness, acceptability, pain, and fatigue for 5 time patterns of sitting and standing at a sit–stand desk.Methods: Thirty postgraduate students were equally divided into a normal-weight (mean body mass index 22.8 kg/m2) and an overweight/obese (mean body mass index 28.1 kg/m2) group. They performed 3 hours of computer work at a sit–stand desk on 5 different days, each day with a different time pattern (A: 60-min sit/0-min stand; B: 50/10; C: 40/20; D: 30/30; E: 20/40). Pleasantness, acceptability, pain, and fatigue ratings were obtained at the beginning and at the end of the 3-hour period.Results: High ratings of pleasantness were observed for time patterns B, C, and D in both groups. All participants rated acceptability to be good for time patterns A to D. A minor increase in perceived fatigue and pain was observed in time pattern E.Conclusion: For new sit–stand desk users, regardless of body mass index, 10 to 30 minutes of standing per hour appears to be an amenable time pattern.
Emergence of Resistance in
Klebsiella aerogenes
to Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Ceftriaxone
Authors: Custodio Marco M. , Sanchez Daniel , Anderson Beverly , Ryan Keenan L. , Walraven Carla , Mercier Renee-Claude
Published: November 2020

We examined the effects of piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) concentration and bacterial inoculum on
in vitro
killing and the emergence of resistance in
Klebsiella aerogenes
. The MICs for 15 clinical respiratory isolates were determined by broth microdilution for TZP and by Etest for ceftriaxone (CRO) and cefepime (FEP). The presence of resistance in TZP-susceptible isolates (
n
 = 10) was determined by serial passes over increasing concentrations of TZP-containing and CRO-containing agar plates.