bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Live cell imaging of the hyperthermophilic archaeonSulfolobus acidocaldariusidentifies complementary roles for two ESCRTIII homologues in ensuring a robust and symmetric cell division
Authors: Pulschen Andre Arashiro , Mutavchiev Delyan R. , Sebastian Kim Nadine , Roubinet Jacques , Roubinet Marc , Risa Gabriel Tarrason , van Wolferen Marleen , Roubinet Chantal , Culley Siân , Dey Gautam , Albers Sonja-Verena , Henriques Ricardo , Baum Buzz
Published: February 2020

Live-cell imaging has revolutionized our understanding of dynamic cellular processes in bacteria and eukaryotes. While similar techniques have recently been applied to the study of halophilic archaea, our ability to explore the cell biology of thermophilic archaea is limited, due to the technical challenges of imaging at high temperatures. Here, we report the construction of theSulfoscope, a heated chamber that enables live-cell imaging on an inverted fluorescent microscope. Using this system combined with thermostable fluorescent probes, we were able to imageSulfolobuscells as they divide, revealing a tight coupling between changes in DNA compaction, segregation and cytokinesis. By imaging deletion mutants, we observe important differences in the function of the two ESCRTIII proteins recently implicated in cytokinesis. The loss of CdvB1 compromises cell division, causing occasional division failures and fusion of the two daughter cells, whereas the deletion ofcdvB2leads to a profound loss of division symmetry, generating daughter cells that vary widely in size and eventually generating ghost cells. These data indicate that DNA separation and cytokinesis are coordinated inSulfolobus, as is the case in eukaryotes, and that two contractile ESCRTIII polymers perform distinct roles to ensure thatSulfolobuscells undergo a robust and symmetrical division. Taken together, theSulfoscopehas shown to provide a controlled high temperature environment, in which cell biology ofSulfolobuscan be studied in unprecedent details.
Assembly-free single-molecule sequencing recovers complete virus genomes from natural microbial communities
Authors: Beaulaurier John , Luo Elaine , Eppley John M. , Uyl Paul Den , Dai Xiaoguang , Burger Andrew , Turner Daniel J. , Pendelton Matthew , Juul Sissel , Harrington Eoghan , DeLong Edward F.
Published: February 2020

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth and play key roles in host ecology, evolution, and horizontal gene transfer. Despite recent progress in viral metagenomics, the inherent genetic complexity of virus populations still poses technical difficulties for recovering complete virus genomes from natural assemblages. To address these challenges, we developed an assembly-free, single-molecule nanopore sequencing approach, enabling direct recovery of complete virus genome sequences from environmental samples. Our method yielded thousands of full-length, high-quality draft virus genome sequences that were not recovered using standard short-read assembly approaches. Additionally, our analyses discriminated between populations whose genomes had identical direct terminal repeats versus those with circularly permuted repeats at their termini, thus providing new insight into native virus reproduction and genome packaging. Novel DNA sequences were discovered, whose repeat structures, gene contents, and concatemer lengths suggest they are phage-inducible chromosomal islands, which are packaged as concatemers in phage particles, with lengths that match the size ranges of co-occurring phage genomes. Our new virus sequencing strategy can provide previously unavailable information about the genome structures, population biology, and ecology of naturally occurring viruses and viral parasites.
Lifelong learning mindset and career success: evidence from the field of accounting and finance
Authors: Drewery David W. , Sproule Robert , Pretti T. Judene
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between a lifelong learning mindset and career success. A lifelong learning mindset is a way of approaching one's work with curiosity, strategic thinking, and resilience. Career success refers to objective (e.g., number of promotions) and subjective (e.g., job satisfaction) indicators of progress and fulfillment in one's work.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies are presented. Both studies draw from an accounting and finance program at a Canadian university. In study 1, data were collected from students (n = 62) and their supervisors at the end of a four-month co-operative education (co-op) work term. In study 2, data were collected from graduates (n = 148).

Findings

Results suggest that developing a lifelong learning mindset enhances both objective and subjective career success. Participants' lifelong learning mindset was associated with objective career success in both studies (supervisor-rated performance in study 1 and number of promotions in study 2). Lifelong learning mindset was associated with subjective career success in study 2 (job satisfaction, work engagement, and job-related self-efficacy) but not in study 1 (experience satisfaction).

Originality/value

This article presents the first empirical examination of the relationship between a lifelong learning mindset and career success. Insights from the article highlight the fact that educators and workplace managers might work together to promote a lifelong learning mindset for current and future workers.
Contemporary global challenges and ethical mindsets
Authors: Issa Theodora , Issa Tomayess B.T.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a framework that might be used to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing humanity, which are increasing in seriousness and complexity. The Millennium Project had identified such challenges, and over time periods until and including 2050, which pose the question, how would societies cope with these challenges averting any disastrous results? contemplating the suggested ethical principles, and the three central beliefs of “end-based”, “rule-based” and “care-based”. In some cases, individuals might not be blamed to think that “it is only a miracle” that might save humanity.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper, through the use of literature review, intends to provide an insight into these challenges, the suggested ethical principles and the three central beliefs, providing brief overview of the concept “miracle” leading to discussion on ethical mindsets, its components and their dimensions.

Findings

Concluding with framework for the way forward tackling these challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this paper might lie in the fact that it is only a conceptual paper, but it calls on researchers to conduct further research using the suggested framework.

Originality/value

This might seem to be forward thinking, but it is a call for researchers to conduct more research in this area, and for governments to fund such research, to allow for the establishment of a method to refine the mindsets of individuals around the world to change into “ethical”, and thus, the world becomes better equipped to face and reduce the challenges and threats that are being faced by the world.
Classical biological control and apparent competition: Evaluating a waterhyacinth invaded community module
Authors: Tipping Philip W. , Smith Melissa C. , Lake Ellen C. , Minteer Carey R. , Goode Ashley B. C. , Foley Jeremiah R. , Gettys Lyn A.
Published: February 2020

The scope and complexity of interactions within community food webs necessitates their simplification to a community module scale for conducting empirical studies. An outdoor mesocosm study in the USA quantified the strengths of direct and indirect interactions between two herbivore congeners that fed on two aquatic plant species while sharing a parasitoid.

Kalopolynema ema (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is a stenophagous native egg parasitoid that attacks the hemipteran species in this study, Megamelus davisi (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), a native herbivore that feeds on the native aquatic species Nuphar advena, and the introduced biological control agent Megamelus scutellaris (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) that feeds on the non‐native aquatic species waterhyacinth, Pontederia crassipes.

The presence of M. scutellaris did not significantly increase parasitism of M. davisi indicating that apparent competition was not a factor in this community module. There was no evidence of any trophic cascades caused by these interactions based on the relative growth rates of biomass and leaf area for both plant species.

Synthesis and applications. The relative strengths of community interactions varied with herbivore densities suggesting that should negative indirect effects with biological control agents occur they would likely be transient and closely linked to population dynamics as influenced by abiotic factors like temperature. Despite identifying potential negative interactions using path analysis, we saw no apparent competition following the insertion of a weed biological control agent into a community that contains an ecological analog. In this example, the primary negative interaction was biotic resistance to Megamelus scutellaris from attack by Kalopolynema ema. Adopting weed management tactics that emphasize efficacy, sustainability and environmental benevolence argue for the use of classical biological control when appropriate.
Impact of pathogenic fungi, herbivores and predators on secondary succession of tropical rainforest vegetation
Authors: Szefer Piotr , Molem Kenneth , Sau Austin , Novotny Vojtech
Published: February 2020

There is growing evidence that top–down biotic factors play an important role in plant community dynamics and are able to maintain the high plant diversity of primary tropical forests. However, the top–down impact by herbivores on the accumulation of plant biomass, richness and the community assembly process remains poorly known for the initial stages of secondary ecological succession.

Here we test the top–down effects of natural enemies on the biomass, richness, diversity, community composition, trait dynamics and randomness during the assembly process on an early successional community in a lowland tropical forest in Papua New Guinea. We initiated secondary succession on 36 vegetation plots (5 × 5 m) organized in six blocks. After 1 year we evaluated successional community characteristics in each block containing a control plot and five treatment plots: experimentally excluding (a) insects by insecticides, (b) fungal pathogens by fungicides, (c) vertebrate predators and ants with exclosures and traps and experimentally adding (d) low and (e) high levels of a generalist herbivore species.

Insects were responsible for increased plant diversity, shifts in plant community composition and a decrease in community weighted mean of leaf dry matter content. The lack of herbivores resulted in a diversifying effect but did not affect plant biomass and stem density. No other treatment had a significant effect on plant diversity during succession. The highest level of artificially increased herbivore density reduced plant biomass, while the fungicide treatment decreased stem density of woody plants. Using a null model approach, we showed that the removal of insects and their vertebrate predators increased randomness during the community assembly processes for woody plants, whilst the same effect was not found for the removal of fungi or elevated herbivore abundances.

Synthesis. Early rainforest succession was not entirely plant driven. During the early succession of lowland tropical forest, insect herbivores enhanced plant diversity and caused shifts in community structure by promoting species with acquisitive leaf traits. As expected, the early successional communities were highly variable, but insects and vertebrate predators reduced randomness during the assembly process. Insect and vertebrate communities can thus impact the regeneration dynamics of tropical forests. In contrast, fungal pathogens were less important in maintaining high diversity of successional communities in our system.
Governing a Liminal Land Deal: The Biopolitics and Necropolitics of Gender
Authors: Chung Youjin B.
Published: February 2020

Over the past decade, there has been a surge in large‐scale land acquisitions around the world. Yet, increasing evidence suggests that many of the prominent land deals signed during the global land rush are struggling to materialise. This emergent pattern of liminality has important implications for understanding the everyday, contingent, and gendered processes of land deal governance and subject formation. Drawing on ethnographic research, this article examines the gendered governance of a “liminal” land deal in coastal Tanzania, through a case of the EcoEnergy Sugar Project. It shows how the project's prolonged delay has given rise, over time, to two contradistinctive sets of actors and mechanisms of control: biopolitical interventions of international development consultants focused on livelihood improvements, and necropolitical interventions of district paramilitary forces focused on surveillance and violence. While seemingly contradictory, I argue that both enactments of power fundamentally relied on and reproduced normative gender in rural Tanzania.
Monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of AL amyloidosis: co‐targetting the plasma cell clone and amyloid deposits
Authors: Popkova Tereza , Hajek Roman , Jelinek Tomas
Published: February 2020

Immunoglobulin light‐chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) is a rare disease in which a small plasma cell clone produces toxic misfolded proteins that deposit in organs and impair their function. Currently, the only available treatment approach is the elimination of clonal plasma cells. However, a rapid strike that halts and possibly reverses organ damage is crucial. The development of agents that facilitate the clearance of pathological fibrillar deposits, therefore reducing the frailty of patients, is the needed supplement to plasma cell‐directed therapy. Monoclonal antibodies provide therapy against malignant plasma cells (daratumumab, isatuximab, elotuzumab) but they are also able to target and eliminate the amyloid from organs (NEOD001, CAEL‐101, dezamizumab). From the plasma cell‐directed group, daratumumab in monotherapy has proved to be extremely efficient in relapsed AL amyloidosis, exceeding its results in multiple myeloma. Compared to other agents, monoclonal antibodies possess the advantage of high selectivity and low toxicity and could potentially become future game‐changers in this field. Co‐targetting of the plasma cell clone and amyloid deposits shall together be translated in the revolutionary improved outcome of potentially curable AL amyloidosis.
Development of the living donation and kidney transplantation information made easy (KidneyTIME) educational animations
Authors: Kayler Liise K. , Dolph Beth , Seibert Rachel , Keller Maria , Cadzow Renee , Feeley Thomas H.
Published: February 2020

Background

Current web‐based educational approaches about living kidney donation (LKD) are complex, lengthy, and/or text‐laden, which may impair accurate interpretation of information, thereby limiting kidney transplant access.

Purpose

This paper describes the process of developing animation‐based LKD education designed to be suitable for and acceptable to kidney transplant candidates and their support networks.

Methods

Based on formative work, early animation prototypes were designed by a transplant surgeon and a health communication expert. In qualitative focus groups and individual interviews, animation prototypes were shown to 46 kidney transplant recipients, 28 kidney transplant candidates, 32 previous or potential kidney donors, 10 caregivers, 32 transplant providers, 24 dialysis providers, and 4 cultural and community advisors for their input regarding animation suitability, acceptability, and potential usability/feasibility. Viewer feedback was used to iteratively refine the animations. Animation design to facilitate adult learning was guided by elaboration theory, Bandura's self‐efficacy theory, and Mayer's cognitive theory of multimedia learning.

Results

KidneyTIME currently consists of 12 animations about LKD process, benefits, and risks.

Conclusions

Patients/friends/family members, experts, and stakeholders provided valuable feedback to the research team that was integrated into the development of KidneyTIME with the goal of enhancing suitability, acceptability, engagement, usability, and feasibility of dissemination.
Liver transplant waitlist outcomes in alcoholic hepatitis compared with other liver diseases: An analysis of UNOS registry
Authors: Kitajima Toshihiro , Moonka Dilip , Yeddula Siri , Rizzari Michael , Collins Kelly , Yoshida Atsushi , Abouljoud Marwan S. , Nagai Shunji
Published: February 2020

There is growing interest in performing liver transplantation (LT) in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) without a mandated abstinence period. The aim of this study is to investigate waitlist outcomes in AH patients compared to those with other liver diseases. Using data from the UNOS registry, adult patients listed for LT between 2009 and 2018 were evaluated. Waitlist outcomes were compared among liver diseases. A total of 64 646 patients were eligible, including 286 with AH, 16 871 with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC), 13 730 with hepatitis C (HCV), 10 315 with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and 5841 with cholestatic liver disease (CLD). In comparison with AH patients, patients with HCV, NASH, and CLD had a significantly higher risk of waitlist mortality and a lower likelihood of recovery on the waitlist. These trends were more prominent in the waiting‐time period of 91‐365 days than in shorter periods. In intention‐to‐treat analysis, positive prognostic effect of LT was significant in AH patients with MELD score ≥35 (HR 0.04, P < .001). AH patients showed lower mortality risk and a higher chance of recovery while on waitlist than other liver diseases, especially when waiting time exceeded 90 days. These results indicate the importance of continuous evaluation of disease progression in AH patients awaiting LT.
The clinical characteristics, pre‐ and post–liver transplantation outcomes in patients having autoimmune overlap syndromes
Authors: Chayanupatkul Maneerat , Fiel Maria Isabel , Schiano Thomas D.
Published: February 2020

Background

There are little data on the pre‐ and post–liver transplantation (LT) outcomes of patients having autoimmune hepatitis‐primary biliary cholangitis (AIH‐PBC), AIH‐primary sclerosing cholangitis (AIH‐PSC), and AIH‐small‐duct PSC (AIH‐SDPSC). The aim of this study was to analyze pre‐ and post‐LT outcomes and survival of patients having different overlap syndromes (OS) undergoing LT.

Methods

Patients with compatible clinical and pathologic features of AIH‐PBC (n = 86), AIH‐PSC (n = 22), and AIH‐SDPSC (n = 9) were included in the study. Demographic, laboratory, clinical, and survival data were analyzed. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine factors predicting transplant‐free survival.

Results

AIH‐primary sclerosing cholangitis patients were less treatment‐responsive and were more likely to undergo LT than other OS. No survival difference was noted among the 3 groups. Liver decompensation was independently associated with higher mortality (HR 21.78; 95% CI 2.50‐190.01). Thirteen patients with OS underwent LT. One‐year survival post‐LT was 91.7%. Overall recurrence rate for OS post‐LT was 8%.

Conclusions

AIH‐primary sclerosing cholangitis patients were more likely to require LT compared with patients having AIH‐PBC. Transplant‐free survival was similar among the three AIH‐overlap syndromes. Allograft recurrence of OS occurred in about 10% of cases. Patients with OS appear to have good short‐ and medium‐term post‐LT outcomes in terms of graft function and overall survival.
The foreign aid–foreign direct investment relationship in Africa: The mediating role of institutional quality and financial development
Authors: Aluko Olufemi Adewale
Published: February 2020

The interaction of foreign aid and foreign direct investment is an important issue for developing countries in Africa. I probe into the mediating role of institutional quality and financial development using a panel data set of 47 countries over the period 1996–2016. I find that the effectiveness of foreign aid in attracting foreign direct investment is greater in countries with better institutional quality and sound financial development. The implications for policy are outlined.
Mixed‐methods analysis of videoed expert‐student dialogue supporting clinical competence assessments
Authors: Botelho Michael , Gao Xiaoli , Bhuyan Sangeeta Y.
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This mixed methods study evaluates the use and perceptions of a novel video genre of authentic, in‐the‐moment expert‐student dialogue to support student preparation for a summative clinical competence assessment.

Methods

Expert‐student dialogue videos were available on the university learning management system (Moodle) for self‐directed access for a fixed prosthodontics course. These comprised 3 categories of video relating to dialogic episodes of previous student's performance relating to a clinical competence assessment. These were as follows: case suitability, case discussion and self‐evaluation. Fourteen students who were taking the competence test and had watched the supporting videos were invited for focus group interviews. Twelve students participated in three focus groups within 24 hours of the assessment and the audio recordings were analysed. A thematic analysis was performed using an inductive approach. Video access data were also retrieved and analysed based on when the videos were watched.

Results

Three key themes were identified: assessment preparation, enhanced learning and affordance phenomena. By accessing the videos, students gained insights into the case suitability, assessment process and criteria, and the examiners’ expectations. They reported reduced uncertainty and stress, improved confidence and better preparedness for the assessment. Students also reported this video genre stimulated higher‐order thinking and provided a broader clinical experience. A diverse array of viewing patterns was observed immediately before the assessment and across the year. For the focus group of students, they watched 65% of all their videos for the prosthodontics course one week before their competency testing periods.

Conclusion

The expert‐student dialogue videos that captured peers clinical competence tests improved students’ assessment literacy, increased their assessment preparedness, reduced stress and enriched their learning.
Design of highly effective multilayer feedforward neural network by using genetic algorithm
Authors: Üstün Oğuz , Bekiroğlu Erdal , Önder Mithat
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a highly effective and precise neural network method for choosing the activation functions (AFs) and tuning the learning parameters (LPs) of a multilayer feedforward neural network by using a genetic algorithm (GA). The performance of the neural network mainly depends on the learning algorithms and the network structure. The backpropagation learning algorithm is used for tuning the network connection weights, and the LPs are obtained by the GA to provide both fast and reliable learning. Also, the AFs of each neuron in the network are automatically chosen by a GA. The present study consists of 10 different functions to accomplish a better convergence of the desired input–output mapping. Test studies are performed to solve a set of two‐dimensional regression problems for the proposed genetic‐based neural network (GNN) and conventional neural network having sigmoid AFs and constant learning parameters. The proposed GNN has also been tested by applying it to three real problems in the fields of environment, medicine, and economics. Obtained results prove that the proposed GNN is more effective and reliable when compared with the classical neural network structure.
Equal Pay for Equal Task: Assessing Heterogeneous Returns to Tasks across Genders
Authors: Casabianca Elizabeth J. , Lo Turco Alessia , Pigini Claudia
Published: February 2020

We inspect the heterogeneous association between tasks and wages across genders using individual‐level data on U.S. workers. Our findings suggest that women receive a higher wage premium when engaged in cognitive tasks and experience more contained wage losses when performing manual activities. However, a wage penalty characterizes women engaged in highly social intensive jobs. Further inspection reveals that this result is especially driven by the teamwork component of social activities.
Use of disposable negative pressure wound therapy on split‐thickness skin graft recipient sites for peripheral arterial disease foot wounds: A case report
Authors: Leong SzeWai , Lo Zhiwen Joseph
Published: February 2020

Split‐thickness skin graft (STSG) helps to promote healing of wounds by providing a viable soft tissue cover. However, the success of which is influenced by how well it takes to the recipient site. Studies have demonstrated that negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an excellent modality to promote graft survival. Technological advancements have made possible the invention of disposable, ultraportable, and mechanically operated versions for improved user experience. Alas, little has been discussed about their benefits on STSG. Therefore, the purpose of this case report is to highlight the effective use of disposable NPWT on freshly applied STSG. We report here a novel use of the disposable NPWT (SNAP therapy system) for STSG recipient sites in two patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) foot wounds. In both patients, there was 100% STSG uptake, and the lightweight disposable NPWT system makes for a more cost‐effective and comfortable experience for patients. Disposable NPWT may be a feasible alternative to conventional NPWT to aid with STSG uptake for PAD foot wound recipient sites.
The risk of intracranial infection in adults with hydrocephalus after ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery: A retrospective study
Authors: Yang Yun‐Na , Zhang Jing , Gu Zheng , Song Ying‐Lun
Published: February 2020

Infection remains the most significant complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate intracranial infections complicating VPS surgery in adults with hydrocephalus. Patients who underwent VPS surgery for hydrocephalus between 2000 and 2016 were included. Clinical data and follow‐up evaluations were examined and analysed retrospectively. A total of 502 patients with hydrocephalus who underwent VPS surgery were included. They were followed up for at least 2 years. Twelve patients with incomplete data were excluded. Four hundred and ninety patients were included in the final analysis. Twenty‐five cases of intracranial infection occurred, accounting for 5.1% of patients with VPS surgery. The mean age of the patients was 57.1 ± 10.1 years (range, 39–72 years). The incidence of intracranial infection in patients over 60 years of age was higher than that in patients under 60 years of age (P = .007). Age (P = .007), diabetes (P = .026), skin infection (P = .028), bed‐ridden (P = .007), and modified operation (P = .011) were highly correlated with the incidence of intracranial infection. The findings of this retrospective study show that age, diabetes, skin infection, bed‐ridden, and modified operation of hydrocephalus significantly and independently correlated with the incidence of infection. Prospective studies are needed to assess the relationship between the incidence of infection and risk factors in patients with hydrocephalus after VPS.
The ionic conductivity of Sm‐doped ceria
Authors: Koettgen Julius , Martin Manfred
Published: February 2020

The oxygen ion conductivity of polycrystalline samples of Sm‐doped ceria and of Gd‐doped ceria is studied as a function of doping fraction and temperature using impedance spectroscopy allowing the separation of bulk and grain boundary conductivity. The introduction of a fine spacing for the Sm dopant fraction allows the clear identification of the dopant fraction leading to the largest bulk conductivity. At 267°C, the largest bulk conductivity is shown for Ce0.93Sm0.07O1.965. With increasing temperature, indications of an increase in the dopant fraction, which leads to the maximum in conductivity, are found. For the grain boundary conductivity, the maximum appears at larger dopant fractions compared to the bulk conductivity. The largest total conductivity for both dopants is again found for Sm‐doped ceria. In literature, different syntheses and sample preparation methods led to larger total conductivities for Gd‐doped ceria. In this work, we demonstrate that the variation of sintering conditions leads to scattering in the conductivity over one order of magnitude. Finally, we demonstrate that, in nominally pure cerium oxide, impurities dominate the ionic conductivity.
Flash microwave pressing of zirconia
Authors: Manière Charles , Lee Geuntak , Torresani Elisa , Gerling John F. , Yakovlev Vadim V. , Martin Darold , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: February 2020

Microwave Pressing is a promising way to reduce microwave sintering temperatures and stabilize microwave powder materials processing. A multiphysics simulation was conducted of the regulated pressure‐assisted microwave cavity. This simulation took into consideration resonance phenomena and the nonlinear temperature‐dependent material parameters of zirconia. The intrinsic behaviors of microwave systems and zirconia make the regulation of the microwave pressing difficult. However, the same phenomena can be used to activate flash sintering. Flash microwave sintering uses high electric fields of the resonant microwave profile, the Negative Temperature Behavior (NTC) of zirconia resistivity, and the mechanical pressure applied to the powder via a die compaction configuration. The resulting flash microwave pressing still needs improvement in terms of the processed material structure homogeneity, but it has the capacity to become the fastest sintering treatment as it allows room temperature activation where the total process time only takes a few seconds. In addition, this 10‐20 seconds processing technique has shown good potential for improving the transparency of alumina presintered specimens.
Preparation of near net size porous alumina‐calcium aluminate ceramics by gelcasting‐pore‐forming agent processs
Authors: Hao Bian‐Lei , Lang Ying , Bian Da‐Qian , Wang Chang‐An
Published: February 2020

In the processing of porous ceramics, shrinkage from green body to sintered compact during drying and sintering is one of the key concerns which affect microstructure and properties of porous ceramics. Through releasing gases from the burning of the pore forming agents, and volume expansion from the formation of low density resultants during sintering, the sintering shrinkage can be effectively compensated and near net size preparation can be achieved. Herein, near net size porous alumina‐calcium aluminate ceramics with controllable shrinkage have been prepared using a combination of gelcasting and pore‐forming agent process by adjusting the amount of CaCO3 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres added. Al2O3 and CaCO3 were used as raw materials, PMMA microspheres were used as pore‐forming agent, isobutylene/maleic anhydride copolymer (Isobam104) was used as gelling agent and dispersing agent. The effects of the addition amounts of CaCO3 and PMMA in the slurry on the phase composition, shrinkage, porosity, and strength of porous alumina‐calcium aluminate ceramics were investigated. The results show that as the CaCO3 addition amount increases from 0 to 20 wt%, the shrinkage of the samples gradually decreases from 7.3% to −1.4%, and the consequent porosity increases from 58% to 66%, while the compressive strength increases from 5.9 to 15.5 MPa. When PMMA content increases from 10 to 50 wt%, the shrinkage of the samples decreases first and then increases, the porosity increases from 51% to 74%, and the compressive strength decreases from 12.5 to 5.3 MPa. The mechanisms for controlling shrinkages during preparation of porous alumina‐calcium aluminate ceramics can be attributed to the following aspects: on one hand, gas release from burning of PMMA and decomposition of CaCO3 during sintering; on the other hand, volume expansion due to the formation of lower density calcium aluminates which come from the reactions between CaO and Al2O3. The near net size preparation technique is of great significance for the manufacture of porous ceramics since the subsequent machining cost can be effectively reduced.
Safety and efficacy of fixed‐dose combination calcipotriol (50 μg/g) and betamethasone dipropionate (0.5 mg/g) cutaneous foam in adolescent patients (aged 12 to <17 years) with plaque psoriasis: results of a phase II, open‐label trial
Authors: Seyger M. , Abramovits W. , Liljedahl M. , Hoejen M.N. , Teng J.
Published: February 2020

Background

Fixed‐dose combination of calcipotriol (50 μg/g; Cal) and betamethasone dipropionate (0.5 mg/g; BD) foam is approved for plaque psoriasis treatment in adults, with a paucity of data supporting use in adolescents.

Objectives

To evaluate safety of 4 weeks’ treatment with Cal/BD foam in adolescent patients with psoriasis, and additional safety outcomes in patients with more severe disease (HPA‐axis cohort). Primary objectives included treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and systemic calcium levels in the overall population, and HPA‐axis function, change in calcium excretion and the calcium:creatinine ratio in the HPA‐axis cohort. Secondary objectives included exploratory efficacy endpoints [treatment success: change in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)]. Systemic exposure to Cal/BD was also assessed.

Methods

A phase II, open‐label, study (NCT02387853) in patients (12 to <17 years) with at least mild psoriasis, to evaluate Cal/BD foam applied once daily for ≤4 weeks.

Results

In patients assigned to treatment (n = 106), 32 TEAEs occurred in 22 patients (20.8%). All but two TEAEs were mild; none led to study withdrawal or death. Changes (0–4 weeks) in albumin‐corrected serum calcium (overall population) and urinary calcium excretion (HPA‐axis cohort) were small, transient and not considered clinically relevant. In the HPA‐axis cohort, no change in urinary calcium:creatinine ratio was observed and responses to adrenocorticotropic–hormone (ACTH) challenge did not suggest disruption of the HPA‐axis. Prespecified treatment success on the body and scalp was achieved by 71.8% and 75.7% of the overall population, respectively. Mean PASI decreased by 82.0% vs. baseline at Week 4. Systemic exposure to Cal/BD was minimal.

Conclusions

Cal/BD foam was well tolerated in adolescent patients with body/scalp psoriasis. There was no evidence for dysregulation of the HPA‐axis nor calcium homoeostasis in patients with more severe disease. Exploratory efficacy data in the overall population were encouraging.
A novel technique for treating atrophic facial scars in Asians using ultra‐pulse CO2 laser
Authors: Jin Wenyan , Li Zhouna , Jin Zhehu , Jin Chenglong
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

Fractional lasers have become increasingly popular for treating atrophic scars, but their effectiveness is limited for deeper scars. We developed a novel technique (manual fractional thermal contraction technology, MFTCT) using an ultra‐pulse CO2 laser and evaluated its efficacy and safety for treating atrophic facial scars.

Methods

A total of 44 patients with atrophic facial scars were treated with MFTCT every 8 weeks for 1‐4 times. Overall scar improvement was assessed by photographs taken at baseline and 3 months after the last treatment according to the 4‐point global assessment scale (GAS) and ECCA grading scale. Improvements in color, distortion, and texture were assessed by the modified Manchester Scar Scale and scored individually from 1 to 4. Pain degrees and adverse reactions during and after treatment were recorded.

Results

A total of 44 patients completed the treatment and follow‐ups; of them, 89% reported at least 50% overall improvement after the last treatment. The mean ECCA scores fell from 67.50 ± 23.98 to 45.68 ± 18.57 (a 32% improvement), and the change was significant (P = .000). The average score for overall improvement was 3.48. The average scores for color, distortion, and texture were 3.07 ± 0.62, 3.27 ± 0.50, and 3.52 ± 0.51, respectively. Mean pain degree score was 4.27 ± 1.04, and mean erythema duration was 28.43 ± 6.58 days. Some patients developed pigmentation for a few months that resolved with topical treatment.

Conclusion

Manual fractional thermal contraction technology has definite clinical efficacy in the treatment of atrophic facial scars with fewer adverse reactions and is worth using in the clinical setting.
Combined effect of poor appetite and low masticatory function on sarcopenia in community‐dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥ 75 years: A 3‐year cohort study
Authors: Senoo Soichiro , Iwasaki Masanori , Kimura Yumi , Kakuta Satoko , Masaki Chihiro , Wada Taizo , Sakamoto Ryota , Ishimoto Yasuko , Fujisawa Michiko , Okumiya Kiyohito , Ansai Toshihiro , Matsubayashi Kozo , Hosokawa Ryuji
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association of the combination of poor appetite (PA) and low masticatory function (LMF) with sarcopenia in community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

In total, 173 community‐dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥ 75 years participated in the 3‐year cohort study. Appetite assessment using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and masticatory function assessment using spectrophotometric measurement of differences in gum colour before and after masticating colour‐changeable chewing gum (ΔE*ab) were performed at baseline. SNAQ score of ≤ 14 was defined as PA. The lowest tertile of ΔE*ab was defined as LMF. Follow‐up examinations were administered annually over a 3‐year period to determine sarcopenia incidence, which was defined by the criteria proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of sarcopenia incidence according to the presence of PA and LMF were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

At baseline, 81 participants (46.8%) had neither PA nor LMF, 34 (19.7%) had PA alone, 35 (20.2%) had LMF alone, and 23 (13.3%) had both PA and LMF. On follow‐up, 31 participants (17.9%) developed sarcopenia. After adjusting for covariates, the adjusted HR for sarcopenia in participants with both PA and LMF was 4.4 (95% confidence interval = 1.6‐12.2) compared with those without PA or LMF. PA or LMF alone was not significantly associated with sarcopenia development.

Conclusions

Coexisting PA and LMF increase the risk of sarcopenia development among community‐dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥ 75 years.
Feeding characteristics of infants in a lower‐middle‐income country
Authors: Fuls Nichole , Krüger Esedra , van der Linde Jeannie
Published: February 2020

Aim

To describe feeding characteristics (such as breast feeding and complementary feeding) and determine the nature of feeding difficulties of infants in a primary health‐care clinic (PHC) in South Africa.

Methods

A total of 200 infants aged 6–12 months (mean = 8.54, standard deviation = 2.18) received a feeding screening by a speech–language therapist at a PHC in a semi‐urban area using the Montreal Children's Hospital‐Feeding Scale (MCH‐FS). Children who failed screening underwent further clinical feeding evaluation using the Schedule of Oral Motor Assessment.

Results

The sample consisted of 200 participants, and most participants (n = 174; 87%) received breastfeeding, irrespective of their mothers' human immunodeficiency virus status. The longer the breastfeeding period, the less likely parents were to show concern about infants' feeding (P = 0.035). Complementary feeding was introduced between 6 and 8 months (n = 122; 82%). The MCH‐FS identified 13 participants with feeding difficulties (6.5%), of which 11 were diagnosed with oral motor dysfunction (OMD) using the Schedule of Oral Motor Assessment. The 6.5% (n = 13) that failed had mild (n = 8; 61.5%), moderate (n = 2; 15.4%) and severe (n = 3; 23.1%) feeding difficulties, as reported by care givers using the MCH‐FS. The MCH‐FS showed that distraction during meals/following infants (n = 42; 21%); food refusal (n = 31; 15.5%); care giver unease about feeding (n = 29; 14.5%); and problems with vomiting, gagging or spitting (n = 28; 14%) were characteristics of feeding in this sample. Participants in the age groups 6 (n = 3; 27.3%) and 10 months (n = 3; 27.3%) were prone to OMD.

Conclusions

This study is the first of its kind to describe the feeding characteristics of a group of infants during the transitional feeding stage in late infancy in South Africa. Important findings were the existence of OMD in 11 infants and feeding difficulties during transitional feeding in 13 infants. The study's findings may be used as a starting point for larger‐scale studies in a similar setting, investigating the development of future care giver education and health‐care professional training programmes regarding transitional feeding. Research endeavours by speech–language therapists need to prioritise late infancy and transitional feeding in order to prevent possible difficulties arising from sub‐optimal care giver feeding practices. The study may be valuable to all health‐care providers in PHC.
The status of patenting plants in the Global South
Authors: Correa Carlos M. , Correa Juan I. , De Jonge Bram
Published: February 2020

Over the last few decades, the number of patents on plants and plant parts has greatly increased in various parts of the world. Most research, however, has focused exclusively on developed countries—the United States and European Union states in particular—while little is known about the extent to which plants are being patented in other parts of the world. This article aims to fill this information gap by providing an overview of the status of patenting plants in the developing countries and emerging economies of the Global South. The research is based on the analysis of legal provisions, patentability guidelines, court decisions (where they exist) and a sample of patents granted in the countries selected for this study. The findings indicate that despite the flexibilities of the World Trade Organization Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement regarding the nonpatentability of plants, 60% of the 126 countries in the Global South for which data were available to allow for the patenting of plants or parts thereof, and many such patents have been identified. This situation warrants further reflection and, potentially, review of existing patent laws as developing countries search for ways of responding optimally to the needs of feeding a growing population while adapting to the challenges of climate change.
Beyond the Marrakesh VIP Treaty: Typology of copyright access‐enabling provisions for persons with disabilities
Authors: Ncube Caroline B. , Reid Blake E. , Oriakhogba Desmond O.
Published: February 2020

This paper builds upon the evidence drawn from a scoping study on access to copyright works by persons with disabilities. It identifies and discusses specific access‐enabling technologies for persons with aural, cognitive, physical, and visual disabilities and how they are affected by the exercise of exclusive rights. It shows how, and the extent to which states' ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled (Marrakesh Treaty) has enabled the making of accessible format of copyright works for persons with disabilities. To this end, the paper examines patterns and trends of accessible format‐enabling provisions in the copyright laws of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) member states.
Spatial covariation of fish population vital rates in a stream network
Authors: Tsuboi Jun‐ichi , Morita Kentaro , Koseki Yusuke , Endo Shinsuke , Sahashi Genki , Kishi Daisuke , Kikko Takeshi , Ishizaki Daisuke , Nunokawa Masanori , Kanno Yoichiro
Published: February 2020

Animal populations are spatially structured in heterogeneous landscapes, in which local patches with differing vital rates are connected by dispersal of individuals to varying degrees. Although there is evidence that vital rates differ among local populations, much less is understood about how vital rates covary among local patches in spatially heterogeneous landscapes. In this study, we conducted a nine‐year annual mark–recapture survey to characterize spatial covariation of survival and growth for two Japanese native salmonids, white‐spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis japonicus and red‐spotted masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae, in a headwater stream network composed of distinctly different tributary and mainstem habitats. Spatial structure of survival and growth differed by species and age class, but results provided support for negative covariation between vital rates, where survival was higher in the tributary habitat but growth was higher in the mainstem habitat. Thus, neither habitat was apparently more important than the other, and local habitats with complementary vital rates may make this spatially structured population less vulnerable to environmental change (i.e. portfolio effect). Despite the spatial structure of vital rates and possibilities that fish can exploit spatially distributed resources, movement of fish was limited due partly to a series of low‐head dams that prevented upstream movement of fish in the study area. This study shows that spatial structure of vital rates can be complex and depend on species and age class, and this knowledge is likely paramount to elucidating dynamics of spatially structured populations.
Shared renewable resources and gains from trade under technology standards
Authors: Takarada Yasuhiro , Dong Weijia , Ogawa Takeshi
Published: February 2020

Using a two‐country, two‐good model of international trade, we examine gains from trade and strategic interaction in resource management among countries that share renewable resources such as fishery stocks. Two goods are a resource good, which is the harvest of the shared stock, and some other good that may be thought of as manufactures. The productivity of the resource good depends on harvesting technology and the stock level. This paper focuses on technology standards (e.g., restrictions on fishing gears, vessels, areas, and time) over other methods for resource management because they are most commonly implemented in fisheries. Technology standards are modeled as a restriction on the harvesting technology; that is, under strict technology standards, firms exploit resources as if they are using inferior harvesting technology. We show that an opening up of trade may reduce the shared stock and cause steady‐state utility to decrease in a resource‐good importing country and increase in a resource‐good exporting country. Strikingly, when the shared stock is in jeopardy (a high demand for the harvest), steady‐state harvest is maximized after an opening up of trade by what we call multilateral resource management in this paper and both countries gain from trade.