bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive Agents and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Real Correlation or Mere Coincidence?
Authors: Ostovar Roya , Laux Magdalena , Kuehnel Ralf-Uwe , Schroeter Filip , Braun Christian , Erb Michael , Albes Johannes M.
Published: January 2021

Background Atherosclerosis, hypertension, age, and fibrillopathies are well-known risk factors for the development of aortic aneurysm. We discovered that a significant proportion of our patients were previously on chemotherapy treatment or long-term treatment with cytostatic agents or immunosuppressive drugs. Thus, we examined this phenomenon.

Methods A total of 224 patients with thoracic aorta aneurysm were retrospectively analyzed after aortic surgery from 2006 to 2016. Seventy-three patients received aortic wrapping and 151 patients underwent aortic replacement of which 89 had a valve-carrying conduit and 62 a supracoronary ascending replacement. Aortic morphology was assessed by means of compute tomography scan before and after surgery. Demographic data, risk profile, and postoperative complications were collected. Short- and long-term survival analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 19.0.

Results Eighty-eight of 224 patients undergoing aortic surgery because of aortic aneurysm had previously or currently been treated with immunosuppressive agents. Dilatation of the ascending aorta was more pronounced in patients without such therapy. Demographic profile, intraoperative, as well as short- and long-term postoperative results did not differ significantly between both groups.

Conclusion The potential effect of immunosuppressant and cytostatic therapies on the development of an aortic aneurysm needs further study. Because of the astoundingly high proportion of these patients being found in an unselected aortic aneurysm cohort with immunosuppressive therapy in the past should be monitored for potential development of aortic aneurysm. If it occurs and requires treatment these patients can fortunately be operated upon with the same short- and long-term outcome than patients without such previous therapy.
Postoperative Bronchopleural Fistula: A Conservative Way of Treatment in Selected Cases
Authors: Amore Dario , Caterino Umberto , Casazza Dino , Imitazione Pasquale , Bergaminelli Carlo , Massa Simona , Curcio Carlo
Published: January 2021

Background Postoperative bronchopleural fistula represents a challenging issue for thoracic surgeons. The treatment options reported include bronchoscopic or surgical procedures but the method yielding the best results remains unclear.

Methods In our thoracic surgery department, between January 2011 and June 2020, 11 patients treated conservatively for early bronchopleural fistula after lobectomy or bilobectomy were reviewed. The fistula size ranged between 2 and 3 mm and complete suture dehiscence.

Results In all 11 patients favorable conditions such as clinical stability, complete expansion of the remaining lung, and resolution of the pleural infection allowed a successful conservative treatment with chest tube drainage.

Conclusion In selected cases, conservative management of early bronchopleural fistula after lobectomy or bilobectomy may be an alternative therapeutic option to bronchoscopic or surgical procedures, regardless of the fistula size.
Low-cycle fatigue of MCrAlY-coated superalloys: A fracture mechanics-based analysis
Authors: Liu Yang , Qi Hongyu , Song Jianan , Li Shaolin , Shi Duoqi , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: January 2021

A fracture mechanics-based method was proposed to quantify the low-cycle fatigue (LCF) life reduction of superalloys deposited with MCrAlY coating. A series of LCF tests were conducted under different temperatures to verify the accuracy of the model. The effect of the coating shows temperature-related behaviour. At 980°C, the coating reduced the LCF life of the samples. Furthermore, the coating-induced fatigue life reduction increased with the stress amplitude. However, at 850°C, the coating was beneficial to the fatigue life at low-stress amplitudes but harmful at high stress amplitudes. Based on the aforementioned data, a life-prediction model of the coated superalloy was proposed that agreed well with the test results.
Subclinical vestibular dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Moossavi Abdollah , Shaabani Moslem , Nasli Esfahani Ensieh , Vahedi Mohsen , Enayati Zakaria
Published: January 2021

Objective

Metabolic changes that occur in diabetes mellitus (DM) can interfere with the energy supply for the metabolic active inner ear, resulting in vestibular impairments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of type 1 DM on the vestibular system using a vestibular test battery.

Methods

Vestibular function of fifteen asymptomatic type 1 DM patients with a mean age of 28 years (SD= 5.80) and 16 healthy controls with a mean age of 26 years (SD = 2.86), respectively, was assessed using video-head impulse test (vHIT), ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o/cVEMP), and subjective visual vertical and horizontal (SVV/SVH).

Results

vHIT response was pathological, in approximately 6.66% of canals. The peak-to-peak p1-n1 amplitude in cVEMP and p1 latency of oVEMP were significantly smaller in the left ear (p = .018) and lengthened in both ears (p = .004) of DM participants compared to the healthy group, respectively. The mean deviation of dynamic SVV (Opto +40/s) was significantly increased (p = .022).

Conclusion

Asymptomatic DM can influence the vestibular system, especially the otolith organs, indicating the presence of subclinical vestibular dysfunction (VD) prior to the onset of vestibular manifestations, which can be detected using appropriate vestibular tests. Furthermore, DM might have selective or chronological order effects on the human vestibular system, with the otolith system damage preceded the semicircular canals. Thus, early and periodic vestibular assessment of DM patients for detecting possible latent VD and preventing further problems is advisable. However, further clinical studies are required.
Structural, dielectric and electrical characteristics of manganese modified (Bi0.5Ba0.25Sr0.25) (Ti0.5Fe0.5)O3 relaxor
Authors: Auromun Krishna , Choudhary R N P
Published: January 2021

In this communication, detailed studies of the structural, microstructural, dielectric, and electrical properties of polycrystalline materials, (Bi0.5Ba0.25Sr0.25) (Ti0.5Fe0.5)O3 and (Bi0.5Ba0.25Sr0.25) (Ti0.25Mn0.25Fe0.5)O3, synthesized by using a high–temperature solid-state-reaction method, have been reported. X-ray structural and scanning electron micrograph studies exhibit phase pure tetragonal system and surface morphology (size and distribution of grains and grain boundaries) of the samples respectively. Analysis of the temperature and frequency dependence of dielectric and electrical (impedance, modulus, and conductivity) data reveals the ferroelectric relaxor behavior, relaxation mechanism, and semiconductor (negative temperature coefficient of resistance) properties of the bulk BFBST and Mn modified BFBST electro-ceramics. The relaxation time and activation energy (Ea) were calculated from the above data. The characteristics of Mn modified BFBST have been compared to that of it’s parent (BFBST) compound. The different inherent conduction mechanisms, such as Ohmic, hopping, space charge limited (SCLC) have been analyzed. The bulk- and interface-limited conduction processes were evidently found in the materials by the Poole–Frenkel (PF) and Schottky (SEmen modified BFBST have been compared to that of its parent (BFBST) compound) emission fitting of the J ∼ E characteristic data. The leakage data of BFBST-Mn (Mn modified Mn) quantified the average energy gap (Eg) in the range of 0.83–0. 87 eV for different applied voltages and in a wide range of temperature (25 °C–300 °C). With the increase in voltage, Eg decreases. This work suggests that Mn-substitution (Mn4+) at B (Ti4+) site keeping the stoichiometry undisturbed enhances structural, dielectric response (higher dielectric constant) and reduce the leakage behavior especially at low temperature and high-frequency range.
Atomic and electronic structure of two-dimensional Mo(1−

x
)W
x
S2 alloys
Authors: Xia Xue , Loh Siow Mean , Viner Jacob , Teutsch Natalie C , Graham Abigail J , Kandyba Viktor , Barinov Alexei , Sanchez Ana M , Smith David C , Hine Nicholas D M , Wilson Neil R
Published: January 2021

Alloying enables engineering of the electronic structure of semiconductors for optoelectronic applications. Due to their similar lattice parameters, the two-dimensional semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides of the MoWSeS group (MX2 where M = Mo or W and X = S or Se) can be grown as high-quality materials with low defect concentrations. Here we investigate the atomic and electronic structure of Mo(1−x)W
x
S2 alloys using a combination of high-resolution experimental techniques and simulations. Analysis of the Mo and W atomic positions in these alloys, grown by chemical vapour transport, shows that they are randomly distributed, consistent with Monte Carlo simulations that use interaction energies determined from first-principles calculations. Electronic structure parameters are directly determined from angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements. These show that the spin–orbit splitting at the valence band edge increases linearly with W content from MoS2 to WS2, in agreement with linear-scaling density functional theory predictions. The spin–orbit splitting at the conduction band edge is predicted to reduce to zero at intermediate compositions. Despite this, polarisation-resolved photoluminescence spectra on monolayer Mo0.5W0.5S2 show significant circular dichroism, indicating that spin-valley locking is retained. These results demonstrate that alloying is an important tool for controlling the electronic structure of MX2 for spintronic and valleytronic applications.
Evidence of Reduced Efferent Renal Sympathetic Innervation After Chemical Renal Denervation in Humans
Authors: Hearon Christopher M , Howden Erin J , Fu Qi , Yoo Jeung-Ki , Dias Katrin A , Roberts-Reeves Monique A , Samels Mitchel , Sarma Satyam , Nesbitt Shawna , Vongpatanasin Wanpen , Goldstein David S , Addo Tayo , Levine Benjamin D
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Renal denervation (RDN) is effective at lowering blood pressure. However, it is unknown if ablative procedures elicit sympathetic denervation of the kidneys in humans. The aim of this investigation was to assess sympathetic innervation of the renal cortex following perivascular chemical RDN, which may be particularly effective at ablating perivascular efferent and afferent nerves.

METHODS

Seven hypertensive patients (4F:3M; 50–65 years) completed PET–CT sympathetic neuroimaging of the renal cortex using 11C-methylreboxetine (11C-MRB, norepinephrine transporter ligand) and 6-[18F]-fluorodopamine (18F-FDA; substrate for the cell membrane norepinephrine transporter) before and 8 weeks after chemical RDN (Peregrine System Infusion Catheter, Ablative Solutions; n = 4; 2F:2M) or control renal angiography (n = 3; 2F:1M). Patients completed physiological phenotyping including 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, hemodynamics, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and 24-hour urine collection.

RESULTS

RDN decreased 11C-MRB-derived radioactivity by ~30% (Δ  11C-MRB/chamber: −0.95 a.u. confidence interval (CI): −1.36 to −0.54, P = 0.0002), indicative of efferent RDN. In contrast, 18F-FDA-derived radioactivity increased (Δ  18F-FDA/chamber: 2.72 a.u. CI: 0.73–4.71, P = 0.009), consistent with reduced vesicular turnover. Controls showed no change in either marker. Ambulatory systolic pressure decreased in 3 of 4 patients (−9 mm Hg CI: −27 to 9, P = 0.058), and central systolic pressure decreased in all patients (−23 mm Hg CI: −51 to 5, P = 0.095).

CONCLUSIONS

These results are the first to show efferent sympathetic denervation of the renal cortex following RDN in humans. Further studies of mechanisms underlying variable blood pressure lowering in the setting of documented RDN may provide insights into inconsistencies in clinical trial outcomes.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Trial Number NCT03465917.
RAS Awards 2021
Authors:   RAS staff, Bowler Sue
Published: January 2021

Each year the RAS recognizes outstanding achievement in astronomy and geophysics by the award of medals and prizes, celebrating scientists who have earned the respect and admiration of their peers
Sanjeev Gupta: Perseverance rover mission scientist
Authors: Johnson Paul , Gupta Sanjeev
Published: January 2021

Despite travel restrictions, the geologist has been looking forward to exploring the surface of Mars this year with NASA's latest lander
News in Astronomy & Geophysics – February 2021
Authors: Bowler Sue , Gunn Alastair
Published: January 2021

A digest of some of the big stories from the past two months
Male fetal sex affects uteroplacental angiogenesis in growth restriction mouse model†
Authors: Hebert Jessica F , Millar Jess A , Raghavan Rahul , Romney Amie , Podrabsky Jason E , Rennie Monique Y , Felker Allison M , O’Tierney-Ginn Perrie , Morita Mayu , DuPriest Elizabeth A , Morgan Terry K
Published: January 2021

Abnormally increased angiotensin II activity related to maternal angiotensinogen (AGT) genetic variants, or aberrant receptor activation, is associated with small-for-gestational-age babies and abnormal uterine spiral artery remodeling in humans. Our group studies a murine AGT gene titration transgenic (TG; 3-copies of the AGT gene) model, which has a 20% increase in AGT expression mimicking a common human AGT genetic variant (A[−6]G) associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and spiral artery pathology. We hypothesized that aberrant maternal AGT expression impacts pregnancy-induced uterine spiral artery angiogenesis in this mouse model leading to IUGR. We controlled for fetal sex and fetal genotype (e.g., only 2-copy wild-type [WT] progeny from WT and TG dams were included). Uteroplacental samples from WT and TG dams from early (days 6.5 and 8.5), mid (d12.5), and late (d16.5) gestation were studied to assess uterine natural killer (uNK) cell phenotypes, decidual metrial triangle angiogenic factors, placental growth and capillary density, placental transcriptomics, and placental nutrient transport. Spiral artery architecture was evaluated at day 16.5 by contrast-perfused three-dimensional microcomputed tomography (3D microCT). Our results suggest that uteroplacental angiogenesis is significantly reduced in TG dams at day 16.5. Males from TG dams are associated with significantly reduced uteroplacental angiogenesis from early to late gestation compared with their female littermates and WT controls. Angiogenesis was not different between fetal sexes from WT dams. We conclude that male fetal sex compounds the pathologic impact of maternal genotype in this mouse model of growth restriction.
The Spatial Politics of Nation-Building: Minority Women Writers in Anglophone Malaysian and Singapore Literatures
Authors: Poon Angelia
Published: January 2021

This article considers the spatial politics of nation-building in two novels by ethnic minority women writers from Malaysia and Singapore. Preeta Samarasan’s Evening Is the Whole Day depicts the claustrophobic Rajasekharan household, showing how the perversion of the patriarchal heteronormative family is linked to the restrictive ethno-nationalism of a new Malaysian nation and its betrayal of its ethnic minority subjects. In Balli Kaur Jaswal’s Inheritance, ethnic minority subjects have a place in the fast-developing new nation of Singapore because of its official multiracialism but only if they are quiescent, conform to sexual norms, and are not hampered by disability. Both writers question the historical building of national norms, arguing for a remapping of the nation’s spaces in the name of more equitable and inclusive futures.
Dental anomalies frequency in submucous cleft palate versus complete cleft palate
Authors: Schwartz João Paulo , Garib Daniela Gamba
Published: January 2021

Background/Objectives

This retrospective study evaluated the prevalence of dental anomalies of number in different subphenotypes of isolated cleft palate.

Materials/Methods

The sample comprised 26 individuals with submucous cleft palate (group S) and 68 individuals with complete cleft palate (group C) aged between 9 and 12 years from a single centre. Panoramic radiographs were evaluated regarding the presence of dental anomalies of number in permanent teeth. Intergroup comparison was performed using chi-square tests (P < 0.05).

Results

Tooth agenesis was found in 34.61 and 36.76 per cent of group S and group C, respectively. The most commonly missing teeth were the maxillary second premolar, maxillary lateral incisor, and mandibular second premolar. Supernumerary teeth were found in none and 1.47 per cent of the individuals with submucous and complete cleft palate, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between groups for the frequency of tooth agenesis and supernumerary teeth.

Limitations

Only dental anomalies of number were evaluated.

Conclusions/Implications

Individuals with submucous and complete cleft palate showed similar prevalence for tooth agenesis and supernumerary teeth. Dental anomalies frequency seems not to be a discriminator for subphenotypes of cleft palate.
RAD18 mediates DNA double-strand break-induced ubiquitination of chromatin protein
Authors: Mustofa Md Kawsar , Tanoue Yuki , Chirifu Mami , Shimasaki Tatsuya , Tateishi Chie , Nakamura Teruya , Tateishi Satoshi
Published: January 2021

The E3 ubiquitin ligase RAD18 mono-ubiquitinates PCNA to promote bypass of replication fork-stalling DNA lesions. On the other hand, RAD18 also contributes to DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. RAD18 is recruited to ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DSB and colocalizes with ubiquitinated chromatin proteins. RAD18 interacts with the ubiquitinated chromatin proteins via its ubiquitin-binding Zinc finger (UBZ) domain and is proposed to propagate DNA DSB signalling and recruit DNA repair proteins. We found that purified human RAD18 protein complexed with RAD6B (RAD6B–RAD18) catalyzes mono- and poly-ubiquitination of histone H2A in vitro while UBZ domain-mutated RAD18 complexed with RAD6B protein catalyzes mono- but not poly-ubiquitination of histone H2A. Human RAD18−/−cells synchronized at the G1 phase show a reduced signal of ubiquitinated protein in chromatin after IR when compared to that of wild-type control cells. The reduced signal of ubiquitinated protein in RAD18−/−cells is rescued by the introduction of RAD18 cDNA but to a lesser extent by the introduction of cDNA coding RAD18 lacking UBZ domain. Taken together, these results indicate that RAD18 mediates DSB-induced ubiquitination of chromatin protein during the G1 phase.
Need for Confirmatory Neutralization Tests for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Tests in Populations with Intermediate Prevalence
Authors: Lee Min Young , Kang So Young , Lee Woo In , Kim Myeong Hee
Published: January 2021

Objective

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is known as the hallmark of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to determine whether an HBsAg neutralization test is necessary to accurately interpret HBsAg test results.

Methods

Initially reactive HBsAg specimens from a 5-year period, with cutoff index values between 1.0 and 2.0, were subjected to neutralization confirmatory testing using an Elecsys HBsAg Confirmatory test kit (Roche Diagnostics GmbH. Mannheim, Germany).

Results

The neutralization test showed 46.1% positive (confirmed positive group) and 53.9% negative (confirmed negative group) results from the total specimens. Among the confirmed negative group, 79.5% of patients were confirmed to be negative for the current infection, whereas 4 patients in the chronic hepatitis B subgroup showed a neutralization percentage close to 40%. More than half of patients in the confirmed positive group were considered to be in the hepatitis B e antigen-negative inactive HBsAg carrier phase.

Conclusion

In populations with intermediate HBV prevalence, a neutralization test is necessary to confirm an HBsAg result and reduce the false positive and false negative rates of initial HBsAg tests.
Are extreme asymptotic giant branch stars post-common envelope binaries?
Authors: Dell’Agli F , Marini E , D’Antona F , Ventura P , Groenewegen M A T , Mattsson L , Kamath D , García-Hernández D A , Tailo M
Published: January 2021

Modelling dust formation in single stars evolving through the carbon-star stage of the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) reproduces well the mid-infrared colours and magnitudes of most of the C-rich sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), apart from a small subset of extremely red objects (EROs). An analysis of the spectral energy distributions of EROs suggests the presence of large quantities of dust, which demand gas densities in the outflow significantly higher than expected from theoretical modelling. We propose that binary interaction mechanisms that involve common envelope (CE) evolution could be a possible explanation for these peculiar stars; the CE phase is favoured by the rapid growth of the stellar radius occurring after C/O overcomes unity. Our modelling of the dust provides results consistent with the observations for mass-loss rates $\dot{M} \sim 5\times 10^{-4}\,{\rm M}_{\odot }$ yr−1, a lower limit to the rapid loss of the envelope experienced in the CE phase. We propose that EROs could possibly hide binaries with orbital periods of about days and are likely to be responsible for a large fraction of the dust production rate in galaxies.
Vibrational and stochastic resonances in driven nonlinear systems
Authors: Vincent U. E. , McClintock P. V. E. , Khovanov I. A. , Rajasekar S.
Published: January 2021

Nonlinear systems are abundant in nature. Their dynamics have been investigated very extensively, motivated partly by their multidisciplinary applicability, ranging from all branches of physical and mathematical sciences through engineering to the life sciences and medicine. When driven by external forces, nonlinear systems can exhibit a plethora of interesting and important properties—one of the most prominent being that of resonance. In the presence of a second, higher frequency, driving force, whether stochastic or deterministic/periodic, a resonance phenomenon arises that can generally be termed stochastic resonance or vibrational resonance. Operating a system in or out of resonance promises applications in several advanced technologies, such as the creation of novel materials at the nano, micro and macroscales including, but not limited to, materials having photonic band gaps, quantum control of atoms and molecules as well as miniature condensed matter systems. Motivated in part by these potential applications, this 2-part Theme Issue provides a concrete up-to-date overview of vibrational and stochastic resonances in driven nonlinear systems. It assembles state-of-the-art, original contributions on such induced resonances—addressing their analysis, occurrence and applications from either the theoretical, numerical or experimental perspectives, or through combinations of these.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vibrational and stochastic resonance in driven nonlinear systems (part 1)’.
On representing noise by deterministic excitations for interpreting the stochastic resonance phenomenon
Authors: Sorokin V. , Demidov I.
Published: January 2021

Adding noise to a system can ‘improve’ its dynamic behaviour, for example, it can increase its response or signal-to-noise ratio. The corresponding phenomenon, called stochastic resonance, has found numerous applications in physics, neuroscience, biology, medicine and mechanics. Replacing stochastic excitations with high-frequency ones was shown to be a viable approach to analysing several linear and nonlinear dynamic systems. For these systems, the influence of the stochastic and high-frequency excitations appears to be qualitatively similar. The present paper concerns the discussion of the applicability of this ‘deterministic’ approach to stochastic systems. First, the conventional nonlinear bi-stable system is briefly revisited. Then dynamical systems with multiplicative noise are considered and the validity of replacing stochastic excitations with deterministic ones for such systems is discussed. Finally, we study oscillatory systems with nonlinear damping and analyse the effects of stochastic and deterministic excitations on such systems.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vibrational and stochastic resonance in driven nonlinear systems (part 1)’.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of maximal and minimal EEG spectral power
Authors: Menceloglu Melisa , Grabowecky Marcia , Suzuki Satoru
Published: January 2021

Oscillatory neural activities are prevalent in the brain with their phase realignment contributing to the coordination of neural communication. Phase realignments may have especially strong (or weak) impact when neural activities are strongly synchronized (or desynchronized) within the interacting populations. We report that the spatiotemporal dynamics of strong regional synchronization measured as maximal EEG spectral power—referred to as activation—and strong regional desynchronization measured as minimal EEG spectral power—referred to as suppression—are characterized by the spatial segregation of small-scale and large-scale networks. Specifically, small-scale spectral-power activations and suppressions involving only 2-7% (1-4 of 60) of EEG scalp sites were prolonged (relative to stochastic dynamics) and consistently co-localized in a frequency specific manner. For example, the small-scale networks for θ, α, β1, and β2 bands (4-30 Hz) consistently included frontal sites when the eyes were closed, whereas the small-scale network for γ band (31-55 Hz) consistently clustered in medial-central-posterior sites whether the eyes were open or closed. Large-scale activations and suppressions involving over 17-30% (10-18 of 60) of EEG sites were also prolonged and generally clustered in regions complementary to where small-scale activations and suppressions clustered. In contrast, intermediate-scale activations and suppressions (involving 7-17% of EEG sites) tended to follow stochastic dynamics and were less consistently localized. These results suggest that strong synchronizations and desynchronizations tend to occur in small-scale and large-scale networks that are spatially segregated and frequency specific. These synchronization networks may broadly segregate the relatively independent and highly cooperative oscillatory processes while phase realignments fine-tune the network configurations based on behavioral demands.
Correlates of and changes in aerobic physical activity and strength training before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Findings from the HEBECO study.
Authors: Herbec Aleksandra , Schneider Verena , Fisher Abi , Kale Dimitra , Shahab Lion , Lally Phillippa
Published: January 2021

Objectives: Understanding changes in moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity (MVPA) and strength training (MSA) from before to after (pre-/post-) the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK (first lockdown) and their correlates can inform interventions.
Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of retrospective and concurrent data on MVPA/MSA pre- and post-Covid-19 (until 14th June 2020) among 2,657 UK adults. The associations between socio-demographic and health characteristics, MVPA/MSA pre-Covid-19, living and exercise conditions and meeting WHO recommended levels for MVPA/MSA/both (vs meeting neither), and changes in MVPA/MSA from pre- to post-Covid-19 following stratification for pre-Covid-19 MVPA/MSA levels were evaluated.
Results: A third of adults maintained (30.4%), decreased (36.2%) or increased (33.4%) their MVPA levels post-Covid-19. For MSA, the percentages were 61.6%, 18.2%, and 20.2%, respectively. MVPA increased or decreased by an average of 150min/week, and MSA by 2 days/week. Meeting both MSA+MVPA recommendations during lockdown (vs. meeting neither) was positively associated with meeting MVPA+MSA pre-lockdown (aOR=16.11,95%CI=11.24-23.07), and post-16-years of age education (aOR=1.57,1.14-2.17), and negatively associated with being obese (aOR=0.49,0.33-0.73), older age (65+ vs ≤34; aOR=.53,.32-.87), and annual household income <50.000GBP (vs ≥50.000GBP; aOR=0.65,0.46-0.91). The odds for decreasing MVPA were significantly lower for white ethnicity, post-16-years of age education, access to garden/balcony, and higher for those who were in total isolation. The odds for decreasing MSA were significantly higher for those who were overweight or obese.
Conclusion: Aerobic and strength training were differently impacted during the first UK lockdown, with poorer outcomes associated with older age, lower education, and higher body mass index.
HIV-1 uncoating occurs via a series of rapid biomechanical changes in the core related to individual stages of reverse transcription
Authors: Rankovic Sanela , Deshpande Akshay , Harel Shimon , Aiken Christopher , Rousso Itay
Published: January 2021

The HIV core consists of the viral genome and associated proteins encased by a cone-shaped protein shell termed the capsid. Successful infection requires reverse transcription of the viral genome and disassembly of the capsid shell within a cell in a process known as uncoating. The integrity of the viral capsid is critical for reverse transcription, yet the viral capsid must be breached to release the nascent viral DNA prior to integration. We employed atomic force microscopy to study the stiffness changes in HIV-1 cores during reverse transcription in vitro in reactions containing the capsid-stabilizing host metabolite IP6. Cores exhibited a series of stiffness spikes, with up to three spikes typically occurring between 10-30, 40-80, and 120-160 minutes after initiation of reverse transcription. Addition of the reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor efavirenz eliminated the appearance of these spikes and the subsequent disassembly of the capsid, thus establishing that both result from reverse transcription. Using timed addition of efavirenz, and analysis of an RNAseH-defective RT mutant, we established that the first stiffness spike requires minus-strand strong stop DNA synthesis, with subsequent spikes requiring later stages of reverse transcription. Additional rapid AFM imaging experiments revealed repeated morphological changes in cores that were temporally correlated with the observed stiffness spikes. Our study reveals discrete mechanical changes in the viral core that are likely related to specific stages of reverse transcription. Our results suggest that reverse-transcription-induced changes in the capsid progressively remodel the viral core to prime it for temporally accurate uncoating in target cells.
Regulation of bacterial Type III Secretion System export gate opening
Authors: Bryant Owain J. , Fraser Gillian M.
Published: January 2021

Type III Secretion Systems (T3SS) transport proteins from the bacterial cytosol for assembly into cell surface nanomachines or for direct delivery into target eukaryotic cells. At the core of the flagellar T3SS, the FlhAB-FliPQR export gate regulates protein entry into the export channel whilst maintaining the integrity of the cell membrane. Here, we identify critical residues in the export gate FliR plug that stabilise the closed conformation, preserving the membrane permeability barrier, and we show that the gate opens and closes in response to export substrate availability. Our data indicate that FlhAB-FliPQR gate opening, which is triggered by substrate export signals, is energised by FlhA in a proton motive force-dependent manner. We present evidence that the export substrate and the FliJ stalk of the flagellar ATPase provide mechanistically distinct, non-redundant gate-activating signals that are critical for efficient export.
noisyR: Enhancing biological signal in sequencing datasets by characterising random technical noise
Authors: Moutsopoulos I. , Maischak L. , Lauzikaite E. , Urbina S. A. Vasquez , Williams E. C. , Drost H. G. , Mohorianu I. I.
Published: January 2021

High-throughput sequencing enables an unprecedented resolution in transcript quantification, at the cost of magnifying the impact of technical noise. The consistent reduction of random background noise to capture functionally meaningful biological signals is still challenging. Intrinsic sequencing variability introducing low-level expression variations can obscure patterns in downstream analyses.

We introduce noisyR, a comprehensive noise filter to assess the variation in signal distribution and achieve an optimal information-consistency across replicates and samples; this selection also facilitates meaningful pattern recognition outside the background-noise range. noisyR is applicable to count matrices and sequencing data; it outputs sample-specific signal/noise thresholds and filtered expression matrices.

We exemplify the effects of minimising technical noise on several datasets, across various sequencing assays: coding, non-coding RNAs and interactions, at bulk and single-cell level. An immediate consequence of filtering out noise is the convergence of predictions (differential-expression calls, enrichment analyses and inference of gene regulatory networks) across different approaches.

Teaser

Noise removal from sequencing quantification improves the convergence of downstream tools and robustness of conclusions.
Intelligent anti-corrosion expert system based on big data analysis
Authors: Zhao Liang , Tao Wen , Wang Guangwen , Wang Lida , Liu Guichang
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to develop an intelligent anti-corrosion expert system based on browser/server (B/S) architecture to realize an intelligent corrosion management system.

Design/methodology/approach

The system is based on Java EE technology platform and model view controller (MVC) three-tier architecture development model. The authors used an extended three-dimensional interpolation model to predict corrosion rate, and the model is verified by cross-validation method. Additionally, MySQL is used to realize comprehensive data management.

Findings

The proposed anti-corrosion system thoroughly considers a full use of corrosion data, relevant corrosion prediction and efficient corrosion management in one system. Therefore, this system can achieve an accurate prediction of corrosion rate, risk evaluation, risk alert and expert suggestion for equipment in petrochemical plants.

Originality/value

Collectively, this present study has important ramifications for the more efficient and scientific management of corrosion data in enterprises and experts’ guidance in controlling corrosion status. At the same time, the digital management of corrosion data can provide a data support for related theoretical researches in corrosion field, and the intelligent system also offers examples in other fields to improve system by adding intelligence means.
Effects of village savings and loan association on agricultural value productivity in Northern Region of Ghana
Authors: Dawuni Peter , Mabe Franklin Nantui , Tahidu Osman Damba
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Agriculture in Ghana is dominated by smallholder farmers in rural areas. Majority of these farmers are resource-poor and faced with serious challenges in accessing formal financial services towards farming needs attributed to the stringent requirements. To bridge this gap, village savings and loan associations (VSLA) have been promoted in rural areas as an alternative to meeting the credit needs of smallholder farmers. Credit plays a vital role in input acquisition among farmers for improved agricultural value productivity. This study assesses the contribution of VSLA to agricultural value productivity in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a primary cross-sectional data collected with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. This study, therefore, applied a propensity score matching (PSM) to assess the effects of VSLA on agricultural value productivity.

Findings

Results from the PSM revealed that extension contact, contract farming, television set ownership, participating in “Planting for Food and Jobs” and nature of roads, including receiving VSLA information from members' increases participation decision of farmers in VSLA. Conversely, age of a farmer, household size, distance to output market and farmers in the Sagnarigu Municipality have negatively influenced VSLA participation. The propensity score matching estimates showed that members of VSLA obtained 38.2% higher agricultural value productivity than non-members.

Originality/value

Village savings and loans associations can be promoted among smallholder farmers as an effective alternative to formal financial service for inclusive development.
The mediating role of cloud computing in the relationship between talent management and competitive advantages
Authors: Abu-Darwish Nisrein Jamal , Al-Kasasbeh Mohammed Mufaddy , Al-Khasawneh Mohammad Mansour
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify the relationship between talent management and competitive advantages through cloud computing as a mediating factor in the private health sector in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the study, a questionnaire was developed as the main tool for data collection, which consisted of (39) paragraphs. Sequentially, the population of the study consisted of (200) outpatient clinics for private hospitals, therapeutic and diagnostic centers in the private health sector in Jordan. While (150) questionnaires were distributed to a random sample from the study population, (136) questionnaires were retrieved, (134) of them were valid for statistical analysis. Therefore, the percentage of return and valid questionnaires is (89.3%) out of the total distributed questionnaires.

Findings

Consequently, the results showed there is a statistically significant impact of talent management on the competitive advantages through cloud computing in the private health sector in Jordan.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the results reached, the study included some implications such as, enhancing the awareness of the importance of talent management in the private health sector and direct them toward the application of its practices because its role in achieving competitive advantages, increase its ability to survive and continue in the competitive environment.

Practical implications

Decision-makers of the private health sector are advised to prepare comprehensive plans that allow private health organizations to benefit more from cloud computing and the services it provides.

Originality/value

The importance of this study derives from linking important factors such as talent management, competitive advantages and cloud computing in one of the most vital sectors in Jordan, which is considered one of the critical tributaries of the Jordanian economy.
Descriptive standards and collection management software for documentary heritage management: attitudes and experiences of information professionals
Authors: Renshaw Chelsea , Liew Chern Li
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the attitudes and experiences of information professionals with descriptive standards and collection management systems (CMSs) used for managing documentary heritage collections held by cultural heritage institutions in New Zealand (NZ). The aim is that such insights will inform decision-making around promoting documentary heritage collections discoverability and accessibility, in terms of advocating for appropriate system requirements when procuring or updating CMSs, and application of descriptive standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design was applied to investigate the attitudes and experiences of information professionals working in libraries, archives and records management institutions, museums and public galleries. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with thirteen participants who worked across ten different cultural heritage institutions.

Findings

The findings reveal that variances among metadata in libraries, museums, public galleries, archives and records management institutions continue to lead to challenges around discovery and access of documentary heritage. If opportunities for connecting documentary heritage collections in the age of linked data are to be realized, the sector needs to work collectively to address these variances along with consideration of the CMSs used. The study findings highlight issues currently affecting the NZ cultural heritage sector goal to make collections discoverable and more widely accessible.

Originality/value

The findings highlight a need for deeper research into CMSs used by the cultural heritage sector as these systems have an impact on metadata management including constraining the application of appropriate descriptive standards for documentary heritage collections.
Does culture or self-directed learning drive online performance?
Authors: Wang Qian , Xiong Chang , Liu Jiajun
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The foundations of internally driven discipline are similar to self-directed learning (SDL). This study examines the effect of cultural orientation and SDL on the online performance of college students. It investigates how college students pursue SDL while maintaining a collectivist cultural orientation in their learning experience. It explains why students prefer SDL to learning constrained by an externally enforced discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory sequential mixed-method design uses a quantitative method, followed by qualitative enquiry. The research was conducted in an undergraduate non-credit online course in China.

Findings

The findings show that cultural orientation has no impact on students' online performance, while SDL abilities are positively related to it. When fully mediated by SDL, a horizontal-collectivist culture has a positive effect on students' online performance.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected in a non-credit online college course, where the final assessment used a peer-rating approach and team members shared the same final score. This scoring method may not fully reflect each student's online performance.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that, when considering cultural influence on student performance, researchers should consider learning contexts, including educational level and learning mode. This study validates that colleges should focus on ability and skill development that enhance internal motivation to improve students' online performance, rather than focussing on their beliefs.

Originality/value

This paper introduces evidence to support the impact of culture on college students' online performance, showing that SDL abilities can drive performance.
Prediction of wind speed profile using two artificial neural network models: an ab initio investigation in the Bapouh’s city, Cameroon
Authors: Talla Konchou Franck Armel , Tiam Kapen Pascalin , Kenfack Magnissob Steve Brice , Youssoufa Mohamadou , Tchinda René
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the profile of the wind speed of a Cameroonian city for the very first time, as there is a growing trend for new wind energy installations in the West region of Cameroon. Two well-known artificial neural networks, namely, multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX), were used to model the wind speed profile of the city of Bapouh in the West-region of Cameroon.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the profile of the wind speed of a Cameroonian city was investigated for the very first time since there is a growing trend for new wind energy installations in the West region of Cameroon. Two well-known artificial neural networks namely multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) were used to model the wind speed profile of the city of Bapouh in the West-region of Cameroon. The meteorological data were collected every 10 min, at a height of 50 m from the NASA website over a period of two months from December 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017. The performance of the model was evaluated using some well-known statistical tools, such as root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The input variables of the model were the mean wind speed, wind direction, maximum pressure, maximum temperature, time and relative humidity. The maximum wind speed was used as the output of the network. For optimal prediction, the influence of meteorological variables was investigated. The hyperbolic tangent sigmoid (Tansig) and linear (Purelin) were used as activation functions, and it was shown that the combination of wind direction, maximum pressure, maximum relative humidity and time as input variables is the best combination.

Findings

Maximum pressure, maximum relative humidity and time as input variables is the best combination. The correlation between MLP and NARX was computed. It was found that the MLP has the highest correlation when compared to NARX.

Originality/value

Two well-known artificial neural networks namely multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX) were used to model the wind speed profile.
Economic slowdown, NPA crisis and productivity behavior of Indian banks
Authors: Goswami Anju , Gulati Rachita
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the productivity behavior of Indian banks in the presence of non-performing assets (NPAs) over the period 1999 to 2017. The study examines whether Indian banks withstand the shocks of the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2007–2009 and sustain their total factor productivity (TFP) levels in the post-crisis economic turbulent period or not.

Design/methodology/approach

The robust estimates of TFP and its components: efficiency change and technical change are obtained using the state-of-the-art and innovative sequential Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index (SMLPI) approach. The key advantages of this approach are that it explicitly allows the joint production of undesirable output (NPAs in our case) along with desirable inputs and outputs in the production process and precludes the possibility of spurious technical regress.

Findings

The empirical results of the study reveal that the Indian banking system has experienced a (−1) percent TFP regress, contributed solely by efficiency loss during the period under investigation. The GFC has slowed down the growth trajectory of TFP growth in the Indian banking industry. Among ownership groups, the effect of the GFC was pronounced on the public sector banks.

Practical implications

The practical implication drawn from the study is that the Indian banks have not been able to successfully transmit the use of installed technology in a way to generate early warning signals and mitigate the risk of defaults so as to maximize their productivity gains in the banking industry.

Originality/value

This study is perhaps the first one to understand the productivity dynamics of the Indian banks in response to both endogenous (i.e. NPA crisis) and exogenous (i.e. global financial and economic stress) crises. Moreover, the authors obtain the robust estimates of TFP growth of Indian banks by explicitly accounting for NPAs as an undesirable output and equity as a quasi-fixed input in the bank production process.