bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Income and Incident Homebound Status Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Ornstein Katherine A. , Garrido Melissa M. , Bollens‐Lund Evan , Reckrey Jennifer M. , Husain Mohammed , Ferreira Katelyn B. , Liu Shelley H. , Ankuda Claire K. , Kelley Amy S. , Siu Albert L.
Published: August 2020

IMPORTANCE

A large and growing population of older adults with multimorbidity, cognitive impairment, and functional disability live in the community, but many never or rarely leave their homes. Being homebound is associated with decreased access to medical services, poor health outcomes, and increased mortality. Yet, it is unknown what factors, in particular socioeconomic factors, are associated with new onset of homebound status.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between income and risk of becoming homebound.

DESIGN

Observational cohort study using 2011 to 2018 data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older.

SETTING

Population‐based study in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 7,042 initially nonhomebound community‐dwelling older adults.

EXPOSURE

Total annual household income at baseline (in 2011) measured via self‐report.

OUTCOME

Annual measure of homebound status, defined as leaving home an average of 1 d/wk or less.

RESULTS

Over 7 years, 15.81% of older adults in the lowest income quartile (≤$15,003) became homebound, compared with only 4.64% of those in the highest income quartile (>$60,000). In a competing risks analysis accounting for risks of death and nursing home admission, and adjusted for clinical and demographic characteristics, those in the lowest income quartile had a substantially higher subhazard of becoming homebound than those in the highest income quartile (1.65; 95% confidence interval = 1.20–2.29). Moreover, we see evidence of a gradient in risk of homebound status by income quartile.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Our work demonstrates that financial resources shape the risk of becoming homebound, which is associated with negative health consequences. In the context of existing income disparities, more support is needed to assist older adults with limited financial resources who wish to remain in the community.
Gendered ‘Objective’ Patent Law: Of Binaries and a Singularity
Authors: Lai Jessica C.
Published: August 2020

Patent law protects the technical. It is seemingly objective in terminology and application. Yet studies show that males are significantly more likely than females to be the inventors of patented inventions. Patenting is not objective, it is gendered. The reasons for this are multiple and include the fact that patent law itself, including its presumptions and interpretation, is gendered. This article examines how patent law reflects multiple gendered binaries, despite being drafted in ostensibly neutral terms. These serve to favour masculine modes and fields of creation, while ignoring and devaluing feminine knowledge and ways of knowing. We should be concerned that patent law is gendered because patents affect wealth distribution, what is invented and commercialized, and what information and knowledge is disseminated, built upon, and viewed as valuable. Thus, instead of embodying gendered binaries, the law should reflect a singularity – a unique point, where the system degenerates or diverges to recognize and encourage the multiplicity of ways in which invention and innovation can and do occur, beyond socially constructed binaries.
COVID‐19 as a Blood Clotting Disorder Masquerading as a Respiratory Illness: A Cerebrovascular Perspective and Therapeutic Implications for Stroke Thrombectomy
Authors: Janardhan Vallabh , Janardhan Vikram , Kalousek Vladimir
Published: August 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) as the name suggests was initially thought to only cause a respiratory illness. However, several reports have been published of patients with ischemic strokes in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The mechanisms of how SARS‐CoV‐2 results in blood clots and large vessel strokes need to be defined as it has therapeutic implications. SARS‐CoV‐2 enters the blood stream by breaching the blood‐air barrier via the lung capillary adjacent to the alveolus, and then attaches to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme II receptors on the endothelial cells. Once SARS‐CoV‐2 enters the blood stream, a cascade of events (Steps 1‐8) unfolds including accumulation of angiotensin II, reactive oxygen species, endothelial dysfunction, oxidation of beta 2 glycoprotein 1, formation of antiphospholipid antibody complexes promoting platelet aggregation, coagulation cascade, and formation of cross‐linked fibrin blood clots, leading to pulmonary emboli (PE) and large vessel strokes seen on angiographic imaging studies. There is emerging evidence for COVID‐19 being a blood clotting disorder and SARS‐CoV‐2 using the respiratory route to enter the blood stream. As the blood‐air barrier is breached, varying degrees of collateral damage occur. Although antiviral and immune therapies are studied, the role of blood thinners in the prevention, and management of blood clots in Covid‐19 need evaluation. In addition to ventilators and blood thinners, continuous aspiration and clot retrieval devices (approved in Europe, cleared in the United States) or cyclical aspiration devices (approved in Europe) need to be considered for the emergent management of life‐threatening clots including PE and large vessel strokes.
Physical Activity Opportunities of Low‐Income Elementary School‐Aged Children During the Segmented School Day
Authors: Tyler Emily C. , Brazendale Keith , Hunt Ethan , Rafferty Aaron , Beets Michael W. , Weaver R. Glenn
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

In this study, we examined moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of children in a school district serving children from low‐income and minority households.

METHODS

This observational study was conducted in 8 rural elementary schools in South Carolina. Children (N = 719, age = 7.7 years, 48.0% girls, 88.0% African American) wore accelerometers during school hours. Physical activity was distilled into time engaged in MVPA during 4 distinct opportunities. These 4 opportunities were non‐activity time (eg, class‐time), extended lunch (lunch recess after eating), physical education (PE), and recess. Mixed effects linear regressions estimated MVPA on days that had no activity opportunities, extended lunch, recess, PE, and multiple activity opportunities (eg, PE and recess).

RESULTS

On days with multiple activity opportunities, girls and boys accumulated 8.0 (95% CI = 4.9, 11.1) and 7.1 (95% CI = 3.6, 10.7) additional minutes of MVPA compared to a no activity day. On PE days boys accumulated 5.2 (95% CI = 0.3, 10.2) additional minutes of MVPA, whereas recess days provided girls with 3.0 (95% CI = 0.1, 6.0) additional MVPA minutes. No other activity opportunities provided statistically significant increases in school‐day MVPA.

CONCLUSIONS

In low‐income schools it may be necessary to provide multiple physical activity opportunities during the school day to increase boys' and girls' MVPA.
Pleistocene persistence and expansion in tarantulas on the Colorado Plateau and the effects of missing data on phylogeographical inferences from RADseq
Authors: Graham Matthew R. , Santibáñez‐López Carlos E. , Derkarabetian Shahan , Hendrixson Brent E.
Published: August 2020

Montane species endemic to the “sky islands” of the North American southwest were significantly impacted by changing climates during the Pleistocene. We combined mitochondrial and genomic data with species distribution modelling to determine whether Aphonopelma marxi, a large tarantula from the nearby Colorado Plateau, was similarly impacted by glacial climates. Genetic analyses revealed that the species comprises three main clades that diverged in the Pleistocene. A clade distributed along the Mogollon Rim appears to have persisted in place during glacial conditions, whereas the other two clades probably colonized central and northeastern portions of the species' range from refugia in canyons. Climate models support this hypothesis for the Mogollon Rim, but late glacial climate data appear too coarse to detect suitable areas in canyons. Locations of canyon refugia could not be inferred from genomic analyses due to missing data, encouraging us to explore the effect of missing loci in phylogeographical inferences using RADseq. Results from analyses with varying amounts of missing data suggest that samples with large amounts of missing data can still improve inferences, and the specific loci that are missing matters more than the number of missing loci. This study highlights the profound impact of Pleistocene climates on tarantulas endemic to the Colorado Plateau, as well as the mixed nature of the region's fauna. Some animals recently colonized from nearby deserts as glacial climates receded, whereas others, like tarantulas, appear to have persisted on the Mogollon Rim and in refugia associated with the region's famous river‐cut canyons.
Moving beyond solutionism: Re‐imagining placements through an activity systems lens
Authors: Nisbet Gillian , McAllister Sue , Morris Clare , Jennings Matthew
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Clinical placements are central to the process of preparing future health professionals for practice. Health care environments are increasingly complex and demanding with clinical placements often being perceived as a burden on busy health professionals giving rise to a service‐education tension. This tension creates a situation ripe for simplistic solutionist approaches. For example, characterising the problem of clinical placements as students negatively impacting on service productivity results in a reductionist solution such as universities compensating health services for student education. Challenges faced by placement seekers and placement providers are multifaceted and complex requiring a more sophisticated understanding and response to the challenges of involving students in the workplace to prepare them for the future workforce.

Re‐conceptualisation

We argue that the health and education systems have become de‐coupled. Learning and working are seen as distinct activities that are at odds with one another. Re‐imagining the purposes and practices of clinical placements for the mutual benefit of patients, health services and students may fruitfully address this disconnect.

Worked example

We present a worked example using the conceptual and analytical tools of cultural‐historical activity theory to articulate what we have learnt about this health‐education disconnect. Our worked example draws on research involving a series of clinical education case studies within acute care contexts.

Conclusion

Through the lens of cultural‐historical activity theory, we highlight that solutionist approaches are entrenched in a de‐coupling of health from education where the shared object of preparing the future workforce is fragmented. Successful re‐coupling requires a partnership that is founded on a shared commitment to preparing the future workforce; recognises that learning and practice are inseparable; and understands that both activity systems are fluid and that collaboration to stay focused on the shared object of preparing the future workforce is complex, challenging and ongoing work.
Survival and success of autotransplanted impacted maxillary canines during short‐term follow‐up: A prospective case‐control study
Authors: Grisar Koenraad , Smeets Max , Ezeldeen Mostafa , Shaheen Eman , De Kock Lisa , Politis Constantinus , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: August 2020

Objectives

This prospective clinical trial aimed to examine the predictability of maxillary canine transplantation as compared to biological canine eruption. Additional objectives were to examine hard and soft tissue outcomes, including aesthetic outcome compared to outcomes with the contralateral canines.

Settings and Sample Population

The sample comprised 17 consecutively transplanted maxillary canines in 17 patients (mean age at surgery, 18 years; range, 11‐29 years). Minimal follow‐up time was 12 months post‐transplantation. Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded for the transplanted and contralateral canines, showing a natural eruption pattern.

Material and Methods

The Maxillary Canine Aesthetic Index (MCAI) and the Autotransplanted Maxillary Canine Radiological Index (AMCRI) were scored for all upper canines. Successful transplantation was considered as the absence of pathology during intermittent clinical and radiographic controls and a good‐to‐excellent outcome compared to the contralateral biological erupted canine, as defined by the MCAI and AMCRI.

Results

The mean follow‐up period was 28 months (±9; range, 12‐40 months). The overall survival rate was 100%, and the success rate reached 68% at 1 year post‐operatively. Significant predictors of success were the extra‐oral time during transplantation, amount of damage to the root surface, quality of surrounding tissues and immediate post‐operative oral hygiene.

Conclusion

Standardized measurements demonstrated clinically satisfactory outcomes with maxillary canine autotransplantation compared to outcomes with the contralateral canine during 1‐3 years of follow‐up. The potential predictors of success identified here should be confirmed with long‐term follow‐up studies.
Surgical Management of Monoarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Fifth Metatarsophalangeal Joint
Authors: Zaid Hamood H G , Di Wu , Yang Rufei , Wu Di , Yang Maowei
Published: August 2020

Objective

To investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with monoarticular rheumatoid arthritis of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint after Weil osteotomy.

Methods

From July 2011 to September 2015, 18 feet of 16 rheumatoid arthritis patients who underwent Weil osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal toe with a mean age at the time of surgery of 48.8 ± 7.4 years were reviewed retrospectively. The mean disease duration was 44.6 ± 6.8 months, and the follow‐up period was 36 months. Clinical outcomes were evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society lesser metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale (AOFAS), 10‐item SF‐36 physical functioning and 2‐item SF‐36 bodily pain, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and satisfaction scores. In the radiologic evaluation, fifth metatarsophalangeal angle (MTP‐5), lateral deviation angle (LDA), and longitudinal axes of the fifth metatarsal were measured on anterior–posterior (AP) weight‐bearing radiographs preoperative and at the last follow‐up.

Results

Clinical assessment showed that the total average of AOFAS was significantly increased from preoperative 53.6 ± 9.0 to 98.7 ± 2.0 points, and the VAS score was significantly decreased from preoperative 4.1 ± 1.5 to 1.1 ± 0.8 points at the last follow‐up (P < 0.001). The total averages of SF‐36 physical functioning and SF‐36 bodily pain were significantly increased from preoperative 48.9 ± 9.0 to 99. ± 2.1 and from 61.4 ± 12.1 to 99.4 ± 2.4 points, respectively, at the last follow‐up (P < 0.001). Subjectively, the excellent outcome of the surgery results were rated by 13 patients (81.3%) that underwent surgery and three patients (18.7%) were rated as good. Regarding radiographic parameters, the mean MTP‐5 significantly decreased from 21.5° ± 1.2° preoperatively to 10.2° ± 1.2°, the mean LDA significantly decreased from 7.1° ± 1.2° preoperatively to −2.4° ± 1.0°, and the mean length of the fifth metatarsal was significantly shortened from 71.5 ± 1.4 preoperatively to 67.8 ± 1.5 mm at the final follow‐up visit (P < 0.001). No malunion, nonunion, necrosis, pseudoarthrosis, or fracture of the fifth metatarsal was found. No exuberant bone growth, perforation of the screw, subluxation, or dislocation was observed. No indications of modification, revision or repeat surgery, or delayed wound healing were observed during follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Surgical management of the monoarticular rheumatoid arthritis of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint can achieve good clinical and radiological outcomes, with pain relief and dislocation reduction, as well as high satisfaction and improvement without recurrence or progression during the follow‐up period.
Conditional Reasons and the Procreation Asymmetry
Authors: Frick Johann
Published: August 2020

This paper sketches a theory of the reason‐giving force of well‐being that allows us to reconcile our intuitions about two of the most recalcitrant problem cases in population ethics: Jan Narveson's Procreation Asymmetry and Derek Parfit's Non‐Identity Problem. I show that what has prevented philosophers from developing a theory that gives a satisfactory account of both these problems is their tacit commitment to a teleological conception of well‐being, as something to be ‘promoted’. Replacing this picture with one according to which our reasons to confer well‐being on people are conditional on their existence allows me to do better. It also enables us to understand some of the deep structural parallels between seemingly disparate normative phenomena such as procreating and promising. The resulting theory charts a middle way between the familiar dichotomy of narrow person‐affecting theories and totalist or wide‐person affecting theories in population ethics.
Dexmedetomidine reduces the amount of benzodiazepines and opioids administered during moderate conscious sedation for dental treatment
Authors: Mincer Reeva C. , Lee Crystal J. , Chung Evelyn M. , Huang Brian , Sung Eric C.
Published: August 2020

Aim

To assess the efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the intravenous moderate sedation (IVMS) regimen, while treating patients of the special patient care (SPC) population. This study aims to incorporate DEX into the typical IVMS drug regimen in order to reduce the amount of benzodiazepines (BZD) and opioids administered and as a result reduce the amount of unwanted side effects.

Method and results

A retrospective study was performed in the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) SPC Clinic, where 42 patients were seen with and without DEX for dental treatment under IVMS. Medications administered, vital signs, and complications were recorded at 5 minute intervals over the first hour. All BZDs and opioids were converted to their IV midazolam and IV fentanyl equivalents, respectively. An opioid conversion equation was developed to summate the total amount of anesthetic agents administered. Data were analyzed by t‐test. The amount of BZDs administered was reduced, however the decrease was not statistically significant (P = .066). There was a significant reduction in opioids (P < .05) and total anesthetic agents (P < .05) administered.

Conclusion

The addition of DEX to the anesthetic regimen results in a reduction of overall medications administered.
Psychometric properties of the screen for child anxiety related emotional disorders (SCARED) among elementary school children in Finland
Authors: Kaajalaakso Katri , Lempinen Lotta , Ristkari Terja , Huttunen Jukka , Luntamo Terhi , Sourander Andre
Published: August 2020

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in children and youth. Effective screening methods are needed to identify children in need of treatment. The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) questionnaire is a widely used tool to assess childhood anxiety. We aim toevaluate the psychometric properties of the SCARED questionnaire, test the SCARED factor structure, and evaluate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in a community sample of Finnish elementary school children, based on both a child and parent report. The sample included all pupils (n = 1,165) in grades 2 through 6 (ages 8–13) in four elementary schools in the city of Turku, Finland. Children completed a Finnish translation of the SCARED questionnaire at school, with one parent report questionnaire per child completed at home. In total, 663 child‐parent dyads (56.9%) completed the questionnaire. Internal consistency was high for both child and parent reports on all subscales (0.71–0.92), except for school avoidance (0.57 child, 0.63 parent report). Inter‐rater reliability ranged from poor to fair across subscales (intraclass correlation 0.27–0.47). Self‐reported anxiety scores were higher than the parent reported scores. Females had significantly higher total scores than males based on the child reports (p = 0.003), but not the parent reports. In the confirmatory factor analysis, hypothesized models did not have a good fit with the data, and modification was needed. The Finnish SCARED questionnaire has good internal consistency. Low child‐parent agreement calls for the importance of including both child and parental reports in the assessment of anxiety symptoms.
Short‐term spatiotemporal variation of soil CO2 emission, temperature, moisture and aeration in sugarcane field reform areas under the influence of precipitation events
Authors: Silva Elienai Ferreira da , Moitinho Mara Regina , Teixeira Daniel De Bortoli , Bicalho Elton da Silva , Castioni Guilherme Adalberto Ferreira , Pereira Gener Tadeu , La Scala Newton
Published: August 2020

Soil CO2 emission (FCO2) in agricultural areas results from the interaction of different factors such as climate and soil conditions. Our objective was to investigate the spatiotemporal variation of FCO2, temperature (Tsoil), moisture (Msoil) and air‐filled pore space (AFPS), as well as their interactions, during the sugarcane field reform. The study was conducted on a 90 × 90 m sampling grid with 100 points at 10 m spacings. Ten assessments of FCO2, Tsoil and Msoil were carried out at each point over a 28‐day period. The greatest mean values of FCO2 (0.74 g m−2 hr−1) and Msoil (31.7%) were obtained on Julian day 276, 2013, being associated with precipitation events at the study site. Also, the smallest values of AFPS (19.17%) and Tsoil (20.90°C) were observed on the same day. The spatial variability of FCO2, Tsoil, Msoil and AFPS was best described by an adjusted spherical model, although an exponential model better fitted some results. The spatial pattern of all soil attributes showed little temporal persistency, indicating a high complexity for FCO2 during precipitation. Correlation maps assisted in identifying regions where Msoil and AFPS better controlled the emission process and where Tsoil was important. A major challenge for world agriculture is to increase the efficiency of conventional soil management practices. We highlight the importance of the spatial pattern of soil properties that directly influence the CO2 emission dynamics. Future mitigation actions should involve less intense tillage and ensure homogeneous applications of soil inputs, thereby reducing production costs and the contribution of these activities to CO2 emissions during the sugarcane field reform.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*14:115 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Genebrier Steve , Elsermans Vincent , Nivet Carl , Chérel Mathilde , Renac Virginie
Published: August 2020

C*14:115 differs from C*14:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 1030 in exon 6.
Tools for rapid analysis of blood usage and inventory during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Murphy Colin , Jackson Bryon , Fontaine Magali
Published: August 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused downtrends in both blood collections and blood usage. Rapidly visualizing the impact of the pandemic and newly implemented hospital policies on usage could potentially inform blood ordering practices to help avoid wastage.

Study Design and Methods

Blood usage data were obtained from the laboratory information system. An R‐based workflow was written in R Markdown for analysis and visualization. Reports were generated daily and shared with blood bank leadership. Selected reports were shared with institutional leadership, other departments, and collaborating blood suppliers.

Results

Mean daily transfusions dropped 42% from 3/9‐13 to 3/16‐20, with a significant decrease in usage of red cells, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. The greatest decline in use was seen in the general operating rooms, whereas outpatient transfusions remained steady. Weekly total blood usage decreased through the end of March into April and returned to normal levels in May.

Conclusion

During two 5‐weekday periods of changing hospital policies, overall blood usage decreased by almost half. Visualization of usage by hospital location showed a large decrease in general operating room usage after cancellation of elective procedures. This data visualization has informed decisions to modify standing product orders during an initial period of decreased usage as well as return to normal orders in later months.
Warming blood products for transfusion to neonates: In vitro assessments
Authors: Hulse Whitley , Bahr Timothy M. , Fredrickson Lauren , Canfield Christy M. , Friddle Kim , Pysher Theodore J. , Ilstrup Sarah J. , Ohls Robin K. , Christensen Robert D.
Published: August 2020

Background

Blood products may be transfused into neonates at temperatures at or below room temperature. The benefits and risks of warming blood to 37°C are not defined in this population or with the equipment used in neonates. Physiologic warming might enhance product effectiveness or decrease transfusion‐associated hypothermia.

Study Design and Methods

We utilized an in vitro model of neonatal transfusions, with a syringe pump, blood tubing, and 24‐gauge catheter and compared current practice (cold products) vs an inline blood warmer. Transfusions were performed rapidly (30 minutes) and slower (120 minutes) to model emergent vs routine situations. We tested red blood cells, fresh‐frozen plasma, apheresis platelets (PLTs), and cold‐stored low‐titer group O whole blood. We used infrared detectors and inline probes to measure temperatures at the origin and at the simulated patient. We assessed warmer‐induced damage by measuring plasma hemoglobin and hematocrit (seeking hemolysis), fibrinogen (seeking activation of coagulation), and PLT count and TEG‐MA (seeking PLT destruction or dysfunction).

Results

The cold‐stored products were 4.2 ± 1.0°C (mean ± SD) at the origin and 21.5 ± 0.1°C at the patient. With the inline warmer, products were 37.8 ± 0.6°C at the warmer and 32.6 ± 1.7°C at the patient during a 30‐minute infusion, but were 34.5 ± 2.1 with a foil sheath covering the terminal tubing. We found no warmer‐induced damage using any metric.

Conclusion

In simulated neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) transfusions, an inline blood warmer can deliver blood products at near‐physiologic temperatures with no detected damage. We suggest in vivo testing of warmed NICU transfusions, assessing product effectiveness and hypothermia risk reduction.
US Food and Drug Administration regulatory approaches for xenotransplantation products and xenografts
Authors: Arcidiacono Judith
Published: August 2020

The United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory approach for xenotransplantation products and xenografts encompasses regulatory considerations for biological products, medical devices, drugs, combination products, and genetically altered animals, depending on the product. This communication aims to clarify the regulatory approaches and considerations for animal‐derived products, specifically xenotransplantation and xenograft products.
Undergraduate Accounts of the Impact of Lockdown on Their Self-Managed Reflective Development of Graduate Abilities
Authors: Cowan John , Doorly Ellen , Harte Clarissa , Madigan Damien , O’Connor Keomea
Published: August 2020

This account is mostly written by students in the first year of their discipline-based study of civil engineering. It features their self-managed development of graduate abilities in the second semester of an undergraduate Irish course in problem-based civil engineering. The principal abilities were creativity, problem-solving, presentations and teamwork. The case-study paper concentrates upon four students’ reports and reflections on their experiences concerning their second (partially locked-down) semester. Their accounts complement the review of the early weeks of their first semester experience, that has already been published elsewhere. They are joined by the tutor who was an external facilitator of their early drafts of reviews. He suggested the compilation and structure of this paper, and has assisted with the assembly of the condensed individual contributions.
Does the iontophoretic application of bretylium tosylate modulate sweating during exercise in the heat in habitually trained and untrained men?
Authors: Amano Tatsuro , Sekihara Shin , Fujii Naoto , Kenny Glen P. , Inoue Yoshimitsu , Kondo Narihiko
Published: August 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does the administration of the adrenergic presynaptic release inhibitor bretylium tosylate modulate sweating during exercise in the heat, and does this response differ between habitually trained and untrained men?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Iontophoretic administration of bretylium tosylate attenuates sweating during exercise in the heat in habitually trained and untrained men. However, a greater reduction occurred in trained men. The findings demonstrate a role for cutaneous adrenergic nerves in the regulation of eccrine sweating during exercise in the heat and highlight a need to advance our understanding of neural control of human eccrine sweat gland activity.

We recently reported an influence of cutaneous adrenergic nerves on eccrine sweat production in habitually trained men performing an incremental exercise bout in non‐heat stress conditions. Based on an assumption that increasing heat stress induces cholinergic modulation of sweating, we evaluated the hypothesis that the contribution of cutaneous adrenergic nerves on sweating would be attenuated during exercise in the heat. Twenty young habitually trained and untrained men (n = 10/group) underwent three successive bouts of 15 min of light‐, moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity cycling (equivalent to 30, 50, and 70% of peak oxygen uptake () respectively), each separated by a 15 min recovery while wearing a perfusion suit perfused with warm water (43°C). Sweat rate (ventilated capsule) was measured continuously at two bilateral forearm skin sites treated with 10 mm bretylium tosylate (an inhibitor of neurotransmitter release from adrenergic nerve terminals) and saline (control) via transdermal iontophoresis. A greater sweat rate was measured during vigorous exercise only in trained as compared to untrained men (P = 0.014). In both groups, sweating was reduced at the bretylium tosylate versus control sites, albeit the magnitude of reduction was greater in the trained men (P ≤ 0.024). These results suggest that cutaneous adrenergic nerves modulate sweating during exercise performed under a whole‐body heat stress, albeit a more robust response occurs in trained men. While it is accepted that a cholinergic mechanism plays a primary role in the regulation of sweating during an exercise‐heat stress, our findings highlight the need for additional studies aimed at understanding the neural control of human eccrine sweating.
Angular dependence of secondary electron yield from microporous gold surfaces
Authors: Ludwick Jonathan , Iqbal Asif , Gortat Daniel , Cook John D. , Cahay Marc , Zhang Peng , Back Tyson C. , Fairchild Steven , Sparkes Martin , O’Neill William
Published: August 2020

We report exhaustive measurements of the secondary electron yield (SEY) from a gold film containing an array of micropores as a function of the angle of incidence of the primary electrons. The SEY measurements are in good agreement with Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations. A highly accurate empirical fit to the SEY data as a function of the incident electron impact angle is also proposed. In this study, the micropores have aspect ratios (ratio of pore height over pore diameter) ranging from about 1.5 to 3.5. The effect of the pore array density (porosity) and pore aspect ratio is analyzed in greater detail. It is found that increasing the pore aspect ratio and porosity leads to a sharp reduction in the total SEY in agreement with MC simulations.
Phase and amplitude evolution of backscattering by a sphere scanned through an acoustic vortex beam: Measured helicity projections
Authors: Bollen Viktor , Marston Philip L.
Published: August 2020

While acoustic vortex beams have many potential applications, the full implication of the phase information available in scattering experiments has not been developed. The present paper concerns observables in measured near-backward scattering from a sphere in water raster scanned through a first-order acoustic vortex beam. Symmetrically placed transducer elements were operated in a transmit-receive mode. Helicity-dependent projections of the spatial evolution of the scattering were used to display magnitude and phase information. The resulting phase swirl patterns were projection dependent and especially sensitive to the transverse position of the sphere. The magnitude also depended on the sphere's position relative to the beam's axial null.
Weakest-Link Dynamics Predict Apparent Antibiotic Interactions in a Model Cross-Feeding Community
Authors: Adamowicz Elizabeth M. , Harcombe William R.
Published: August 2020

With the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance, novel strategies are required for combatting resistant pathogens. Combination therapy, in which multiple drugs are used to treat an infection, has proven highly successful in the treatment of cancer and HIV. However, this practice has proven challenging for the treatment of bacterial infections due to difficulties in selecting the correct combinations and dosages. An additional challenge in infection treatment is the polymicrobial nature of many infections, which may respond to antibiotics differently than a monoculture pathogen.
In Vitro
Activity and Potency of the Novel Oxazolidinone Contezolid (MRX-I) Tested against Gram-Positive Clinical Isolates from the United States and Europe
Authors: Carvalhaes Cecilia G. , Duncan Leonard R. , Wang Wen , Sader Helio S.
Published: August 2020

Contezolid, a new oxazolidinone antibacterial agent currently in development for the treatment of skin and skin structure infections, was susceptibility tested against Gram-positive clinical isolates (
n
 = 1,211). Contezolid demonstrated potent activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
(MIC
50/90
, 0.5/1 mg/liter), coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus
(MIC
50/90
, 0.25/0.5 mg/liter),
Enterococcus
spp.
SERINC5 Inhibits HIV-1 Infectivity by Altering the Conformation of gp120 on HIV-1 Particles
Authors: Featherstone Austin , Aiken Christopher
Published: August 2020

SERINC5 is a host cell protein that inhibits the infectivity of HIV-1 by a novel and poorly understood mechanism. Here, we provide evidence that the SERINC5 protein alters the conformation of the HIV-1 Env proteins and that this action is correlated with SERINC5’s ability to inhibit HIV-1 infectivity. Defining the specific effects of SERINC5 on the HIV-1 glycoprotein conformation may be useful for designing new antiviral strategies targeting Env.
Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production by Gut Microbiota from Children with Obesity Differs According to Prebiotic Choice and Bacterial Community Composition
Authors: Holmes Zachary C. , Silverman Justin D. , Dressman Holly K. , Wei Zhengzheng , Dallow Eric P. , Armstrong Sarah C. , Seed Patrick C. , Rawls John F. , David Lawrence A.
Published: August 2020

Pediatric obesity remains a major public health problem in the United States, where 17% of children and adolescents are obese, and rates of pediatric “severe obesity” are increasing. Children and adolescents with obesity face higher health risks, and noninvasive therapies for pediatric obesity often have limited success. The human gut microbiome has been implicated in adult obesity, and microbiota-directed therapies can aid weight loss in adults with obesity. However, less is known about the microbiome in pediatric obesity, and microbiota-directed therapies are understudied in children and adolescents. Our research has two important findings: (i) dietary prebiotics (fiber) result in the microbiota from adolescents with obesity producing more SCFA, and (ii) the effectiveness of each prebiotic is donor dependent. Together, these findings suggest that prebiotic supplements could help children and adolescents with obesity, but that these therapies may not be “one size fits all.”
Structure and Multitasking of the c-di-GMP-Sensing Cellulose Secretion Regulator BcsE
Authors: Zouhir Samira , Abidi Wiem , Caleechurn Meryem , Krasteva Petya Violinova
Published: August 2020

Bacterial cellulose is a widespread biofilm component that can modulate microbial fitness and virulence both in the environment and infected hosts. Whereas its secretion generally involves an inner membrane c-di-GMP-dependent synthase tandem (BcsAB) across the bacterial domain of life, enterobacteria feature sophisticated
Escherichia coli
-like Bcs secretion systems, where multiple additional subunits are either required for secretion or contribute to the maximal production of the polysaccharide
in vivo.
Here, we demonstrate that essential-for-secretion BcsR and BcsQ regulate each other's folding and stability and are recruited to the inner membrane via c-di-GMP-sensing BcsE and its intraoperon partner, BcsF. Crystallographic and functional data reveal that BcsE features unexpected domain architecture and likely acts on multiple levels to fine-tune bacterial cellulose production, from the early stages of secretion system assembly to the maintenence of a membrane-proximal pool of dimeric c-di-GMP for processive synthase activation.
(p)ppGpp and c-di-AMP Homeostasis Is Controlled by CbpB in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Peterson Bret N. , Young Megan K. M. , Luo Shukun , Wang Jeffrey , Whiteley Aaron T. , Woodward Joshua J. , Tong Liang , Wang Jue D. , Portnoy Daniel A.
Published: August 2020

Bacteria must efficiently maintain homeostasis of essential molecules to survive in the environment. We found that the levels of c-di-AMP and (p)ppGpp, two nucleotide second messengers that are highly conserved throughout the microbial world, coexist in a homeostatic loop in the facultative intracellular pathogenListeria monocytogenes. Here, we found that cyclic di-AMP binding protein B (CbpB) acts as a c-di-AMP sensor that promotes the synthesis of (p)ppGpp by binding to RelA when c-di-AMP levels are low. Addition of c-di-AMP prevented RelA activation by binding and sequestering CbpB. Previous studies showed that (p)ppGpp binds and inhibits c-di-AMP phosphodiesterases, resulting in an increase in c-di-AMP. This pathway is controlled via direct enzymatic regulation and indicates an additional mechanism of ribosome-independent stringent activation.
Prochlorococcus
Cells Rely on Microbial Interactions Rather than on Chlorotic Resting Stages To Survive Long-Term Nutrient Starvation
Authors: Roth-Rosenberg Dalit , Aharonovich Dikla , Luzzatto-Knaan Tal , Vogts Angela , Zoccarato Luca , Eigemann Falk , Nago Noam , Grossart Hans-Peter , Voss Maren , Sher Daniel
Published: August 2020

The ability of microorganisms to withstand long periods of nutrient starvation is key to their survival and success under highly fluctuating conditions that are common in nature. Therefore, one would expect this trait to be prevalent among organisms in the nutrient-poor open ocean. Here, we show that this is not the case for
Prochlorococcus
, a globally abundant and ecologically important marine cyanobacterium. Instead,
Prochlorococcus
relies on co-occurring heterotrophic bacteria to survive extended phases of nutrient and light starvation. Our results highlight the power of microbial interactions to drive major biogeochemical cycles in the ocean and elsewhere with consequences at the global scale.
Analyzing variation of the water table level with three-dimensional numerical simulations to assess reclamation techniques for an acidic tailings impoundment
Authors: Broda Stefan , Éthier Marie-Pier , Blessent Daniela , Aubertin Michel , Maqsoud Abdelkabir , Bussière Bruno
Published: August 2020

Tailings with sulphide minerals exposed to oxygen and water can oxidize and produce acid mine drainage (AMD). This study evaluated the impact of natural conditions and of a thin cover deposition on the water table level, with respect to selecting the reclamation technique to control AMD on the elevated portion of an abandoned tailings impoundment. The reactive tailings were partly covered with alkaline tailings transported as a pulp from a nearby mine. A three-dimensional numerical variably saturated groundwater flow model of the tailings impoundment and its surrounding area was built. The simulation results reproduced well the field observations before, during, and after the deposition of a thin layer of tailings. The calibrated model was then used to forecast the evolution of the water table position for the next 100 years under various site conditions, including a period of 5 years with dry summers. The results show that the water table levels are on average several metres below the interface between the reactive tailings and the cover, thus failing to meet the target criterion to control the production of AMD determined from previous column tests. The results are analyzed and discussed in terms of the site configuration and atmospheric recharge.
Energy levels and spectral lines for Ge-like Zr, Nb, and Tc ions
Authors: Wu Miao , He Zhen-Cen
Published: August 2020

The energy levels, transition probabilities, oscillator strengths, line strengths, and wavelengths of Ge-like Zr, Nb, and Tc ions have been calculated using the multi-configuration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method. The Breit interactions and quantum electrodynamics correction were taken into account. The calculated values of energy levels and wavelengths have been compared with other theoretical calculations and available experimental values; good agreement is achieved for most of the energy levels and wavelengths calculated. The number of energy levels and wavelengths considered is larger than that of any other theoretical calculations, and the transition probabilities and line strengths are also given where no other theoretical results and experimental values are available.
Computational p-Willmore Flow with Conformal Penalty
Authors: Gruber Anthony , Aulisa Eugenio
Published: August 2020

The unsigned p-Willmore functional introduced in the work of Mondino [2011] generalizes important geometric functionals, which measure the area and Willmore energy of immersed surfaces. Presently, techniques from the work of Dziuk [2008] are adapted to compute the first variation of this functional as a weak-form system of equations, which are subsequently used to develop a model for the p-Willmore flow of closed surfaces in R
3
. This model is amenable to constraints on surface area and enclosed volume and is shown to decrease the p-Willmore energy monotonically. In addition, a penalty-based regularization procedure is formulated to prevent artificial mesh degeneration along the flow; inspired by a conformality condition derived in the work of Kamberov et al. [1996], this procedure encourages angle-preservation in a closed and oriented surface immersion as it evolves. Following this, a finite-element discretization of both procedures is discussed, an algorithm for running the flow is given, and an application to mesh editing is presented.
Genomic Prediction of (Mal)Adaptation Across Current and Future Climatic Landscapes
Authors: Capblancq Thibaut , Fitzpatrick Matthew C. , Bay Rachael A. , Exposito-Alonso Moises , Keller Stephen R.
Published: August 2020

Signals of local adaptation have been found in many plants and animals, highlighting the heterogeneity in the distribution of adaptive genetic variation throughout species ranges. In the coming decades, global climate change is expected to induce shifts in the selective pressures that shape this adaptive variation. These changes in selective pressures will likely result in varying degrees of local climate maladaptation and spatial reshuffling of the underlying distributions of adaptive alleles. There is a growing interest in using population genomic data to help predict future disruptions to locally adaptive gene-environment associations. One motivation behind such work is to better understand how the effects of changing climate on populations’ short-term fitness could vary spatially across species ranges. Here we review the current use of genomic data to predict the disruption of local adaptation across current and future climates. After assessing goals and motivationsunderlying the approach, we review the main steps and associated statistical methods currently in use and explore our current understanding of the limits and future potential of using genomics to predict climate change (mal)adaptation.
Communication—Redox Behavior of Cu2S in Li2S-Dissolving Aprotic Electrolyte for Sulfide-Ion Batteries
Authors: Fukunaga Ryo , Allanore Antoine , Yagi Shunsuke
Published: August 2020

The redox behavior of Cu2S in a Li2S-dissolving aprotic electrolyte was investigated to examine the practical viability of rechargeable batteries using sulfide ions as carrier ions. We established aprotic electrolytes, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide containing S2− at over 0.10 M concentration by adding NH4NO3 to increase the solubility of Li2S, which is hardly soluble in almost all aprotic solvents. Two redox reactions of Cu2S, Cu/Cu2S and Cu2S/CuS, were observed at −0.25 V and 0.60 V vs Mo, respectively. In addition, it was found that elemental S is electrodeposited/stripped at approximately 0.1 V vs Mo on graphite but not on platinum.
Evaluation of the Potential Use of Levan Polysaccharide in Paper Conservation
Authors: Saglam Rumeysa Ozen , Genc Seval , Oner Ebru Toksoy
Published: August 2020

Conservation of paper-based materials, namely, manuscripts, includes repair of tears, gap filling, consolidation, and fixation, which requires the use of adhesives. The adhesive in use for these purposes should be compatible with the chemical and physical properties of paper and should present good aging characteristics. In this study, we conducted a set of experiments with paper samples on which fructan-based biopolymer Halomonas levan (Hlevan) was applied for the first time and compared with glucan-based adhesive starch. Adhesive-applied samples were initially prepared by the application of different historical recipes of sizing and ink. Then, they underwent accelerated thermal aging. Chemical and physical changes of paper samples (crystallinity, pH, and color) were analyzed. Finally, Principal Component Analysis was performed to identify dominating factors affecting sample behavior with applied adhesives. This study demonstrates the aging characteristics of Hlevan on cellulose-based materials. The results showed that there is a color shift from blue to yellow for all samples after aging, but it is more pronounced for some samples with Hlevan. In addition, Hlevan is slightly less acidic than starch in all cases and acted as a plasticizer for a specific kind of sizing material. The methodology of this research is also efficacious in terms of understanding the interaction of paper media with the adhesives and their effects on aging.
Measurement and Analysis of the Competitiveness of China Commercial Bank’s Loan Market
Authors: Cai Tianming
Published: August 2020

China’s economy presents a new normal of speed changes, structural optimization, and power conversion. Deepening supply-side reforms and controlling financial risks are two prominent themes of current economic work. With the economic growth slowing down and the financing environment tightening, the credit risk of the banking industry is being exposed more quickly. This article uses a structured method and an unstructured method to measure the competitiveness of China commercial bank credit market. The structured method uses the HHI (Herfindahl–Hirschman Index), and the unstructured method uses the Lerner Index. This article compares the sample banks’ 2008–2015 industry loan total HHI and Lerner Index. The results of HHI and Lerner Index are basically the same, which indicate that the competitiveness of the China commercial bank credit market is generally at a low level. However, the Lerner Index has a clear upward trend after 2014, which indicates the possibility of increased competition in the credit market.