bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae as a model for real‐time studies of propagating VHS virus infection, tissue tropism and neutrophil activity
Authors: Marana Moonika Haahr , Schmidt Jacob Günther , Biacchesi Stéphane , Lorenzen Niels , Jørgensen Louise von Gersdorff 
Published: November 2020

AbstractViral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) is a negative‐sense single‐stranded RNA virus that infects more than 140 different fish species. In this study, zebrafish larvae were employed as in vivo model organisms to investigate progression of disease, the correlation between propagation of the infection and irreversibility of disease, cell tropism and in situ neutrophil activity towards the VHSV‐infected cells. A recombinant VHSV strain, encoding “tomato” fluorescence (rVHSV‐Tomato), was used in zebrafish to be able to follow the progress of the infection in the live host in real‐time. Two‐day‐old zebrafish larvae were injected into the yolk sac with the recombinant virus. The virus titre peaked 96 hr post‐infection in zebrafish larvae kept at 18°C, and correlated with 33% mortality and high morbidity among the larvae. By utilizing the transgenic zebrafish line Tg(fli1:GFP)y1 with fluorescently tagged endothelial cells, we were able to demonstrate that the virus initially infected endothelial cells lining the blood vessels. By observing the rVHSV‐Tomato infection in the neutrophil reporter zebrafish line Tg(MPX:eGFP)i114, we inferred that only a subpopulation of the neutrophils responded to the virus infection. We conclude that the zebrafish larvae are suitable for real‐time studies of VHS virus infections, allowing in vivo dissection of host–virus interactions at the whole organism level.
A novel simulation–optimization strategy for stochastic‐based designing of flood control dam: A case study of Jamishan dam
Authors: Sharafati Ahmad , Yaseen Zaher Mundher , Shahid Shamsuddin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study presents a novel stochastic simulation–optimization approach for optimum designing of flood control dam through incorporation of various sources of uncertainties. The optimization problem is formulated based on two objective functions, namely, annual cost of dam implementation and dam overtopping probability, as those are the two major concerns in designing flood control dams. The nondominated solutions are obtained through a multi‐objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) approach. Results indicate that stochastic sources have a significant impact on Pareto front solutions. The distance index (DI) reveals the rainfall depth (DI = 0.41) as the most significant factor affecting the Pareto front and the hydraulic parameters (DI = 0.02) as the least. The dam overtopping probability is found to have a higher sensitivity to the variability of stochastic sources compared to annual cost of dam implementation. The values of interquartile range (IQR) indicate that the dam overtopping probability is least uncertain when all stochastic sources are considered (IQR = 0.25%). The minimum annual cost of dam implementation (2.79 M$) is also achieved when all stochastic sources are considered in optimization process. The results indicate the potential of the proposed method to be used for better designing of flood control dam through incorporation of all sources of uncertainty.
Guardianship and End‐of‐Life Care for Veterans with Dementia in Nursing Homes
Authors: Cohen Andrew B. , Han Ling , OʼLeary John R. , Fried Terri R. 
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESExperts have suggested that patients represented by professional guardians receive higher intensity end‐of‐life treatment than other patients, but there is little corresponding empirical data.DESIGNRetrospective cohort study.SETTING AND PARTICIPANTSAmong veterans aged 65 and older who died from 2011 to 2013, we used Minimum Data Set assessments to identify those who were nursing home residents and had moderately severe or severe dementia. We applied methods developed in prior work to determine which of these veterans had professional guardians. Decedent veterans with professional guardians were matched to decedent veterans without guardians in a 1:4 ratio, according to age, sex, race, dementia severity, and nursing facility type (VA based vs non‐VA).MEASUREMENTSOur primary outcome was intensive care unit (ICU) admission in the last 30 days of life. Secondary outcomes included mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the last 30 days of life, feeding tube placement in the last 90 days of life, three or more nursing home‐to‐hospital transfers in the last 90 days of life, and in‐hospital death.RESULTSICU admission was more common among patients with professional guardians than matched controls (17.5% vs 13.7%), but the difference was not statistically significant (adjusted odds ratio = 1.33; 95% confidence interval = .89–1.99). There were no significant differences in receipt of any other treatment; nor was there a consistent pattern. Mechanical ventilation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation were more common among patients with professional guardians, and feeding tube placement, three or more end‐of‐life hospitalizations, and in‐hospital death were more common among matched controls.CONCLUSIONRates of high‐intensity treatment were similar whether or not a nursing home resident with dementia was represented by a professional guardian. This is in part because high‐intensity treatment occurred more frequently than expected among patients without guardians.
A cervical mass in a laboratory rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta): Suspicion of air sacculitis
Authors: Bertrand Henri G. M. J. , Flecknell Paul A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA 13‐year‐old rhesus macaque presented a cervical swelling associated with sudden deterioration of its condition. This mass was surgically removed, and its histopathological examination revealed a stratified squamous epithelium. This appearance has been reported in some case of air sacculitis in others non‐human primate species.
Equilibrium Asset Pricing with Leverage and Default
Authors: GOMES JOÃO F. , SCHMID LUKAS 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTWe develop a general equilibrium model linking the pricing of stocks and corporate bonds to endogenous movements in corporate leverage and aggregate volatility. The model features heterogeneous firms making optimal investment and financing decisions and connects fluctuations in macroeconomic quantities and asset prices to movements in the cross section of firms. Empirically plausible movements in leverage produce realistic asset return dynamics. Countercyclical leverage drives predictable variation in risk premia, and debt‐financed growth generates a high value premium. Endogenous default produces countercyclical aggregate volatility and credit spread movements that are propagated to the real economy through their effects on investment and output.
Parents’ experiences of complementary feeding among a United Kingdom culturally diverse and deprived community
Authors: Cook Erica Jane , Powell Faye Caroline , Ali Nasreen , Penn‐Jones Catrin , Ochieng Bertha , Randhawa Gurch 
Published: November 2020

AbstractComplementary feeding practices and adherence to health recommendations are influenced by a range of different and often interrelating factors such as socio‐economic and cultural factors. However, the factors underlying these associations are often complex with less awareness of how complementary feeding approaches vary across the UK’s diverse population. This paper describes a qualitative investigation undertaken in a deprived and culturally diverse community in the UK which aimed to explore parents’ knowledge, beliefs and practices of complementary feeding. One hundred and ten mothers and fathers, self‐identified as being White British, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black African/Caribbean or Polish took part in twenty‐four focus group discussions, organised by age group, sex and ethnicity.The findings revealed that most parents initiated complementary feeding before the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendation of 6 months. Early initiation was strongly influenced by breast feeding practices alongside the extent to which parents believed that their usual milk; that is, breastmilk or formula was fulfilling their infants' nutritional needs. The composition of diet and parents' approach to complementary feeding was closely aligned to traditional cultural practices; however, some contradictions were noted. The findings also acknowledge the pertinent role of the father in influencing the dietary practices of the wider household. Learning about both the common and unique cultural feeding attitudes and practices held by parents may help us to tailor healthy complementary feeding advice in the context of increasing diversity in the United Kingdom.
The cerebral microvasculature: Basic and clinical perspectives on stroke and glioma
Authors: Hoque Maruf M. , Abdelazim Hanaa , Jenkins‐Houk Clifton , Wright Dawn , Patel Biraj M. , Chappell John C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMicrovascular networks are vital components of the cardiovascular system, performing many key roles in maintaining the health and homeostasis of the tissues and organs in which they develop. As discussed in this review, the molecular and cellular components within the microcirculation orchestrate critical processes to establish functional capillary beds, including organization of endothelial cell (EC) polarity, guiding investment of vascular pericytes (PCs), and building the specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) that comprises the vascular basement membrane (vBM). Herein, we further discuss the unique features of the microvasculature in the central nervous system (CNS), focusing on the cells contributing to the neurovascular unit (NVU) that form and maintain the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). With a focus on vascular PCs, we offer basic and clinical perspectives on neurovascular‐related pathologies that involve defects within the cerebral microvasculature. Specifically, we present microvascular anomalies associated with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) including defects in vascular‐immune cell interactions and associated clinical therapies targeting microvessels (ie, vascular‐disrupting/anti‐angiogenic agents and focused ultrasound). We also discuss the involvement of the microcirculation in stroke responses and potential therapeutic approaches. Our goal was to compare the cellular and molecular changes that occur in the microvasculature and NVU, and to provide a commentary on factors driving disease progression in GBM and stroke. We conclude with a forward‐looking perspective on the importance of microcirculation research in developing clinical treatments for these devastating conditions.
The soluble cytoplasmic N‐terminal domain of the FocA channel gates bidirectional formate translocation
Authors: Kammel Michelle , Hunger Doreen , Sawers Robert Gary 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFocA belongs to the pentameric FNT (formate‐nitrite transporter) superfamily of anion channels, translocating formate bidirectionally across the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli and other microorganisms. While the membrane‐integral core of FocA shares considerable amino acid sequence conservation with other FNT family members, the soluble cytoplasmic N‐terminal domain does not. To analyze the potential biochemical function of FocA’s N‐terminal domain in vivo, we constructed truncation derivatives and amino acid‐exchange variants, and determined their ability to translocate formate across the membrane of E. coli cells by monitoring intracellular formate levels using a formate‐sensitive reporter system. Analysis of strains synthesizing these FocA variants provided insights into formate efflux. Strains lacking the ability to generate formate intracellularly allowed us to determine whether these variants could import formate or its toxic chemical analog hypophosphite. Our findings reveal that the N‐terminal domain of FocA is crucial for bidirectional FocA‐dependent permeation of formate across the membrane. Moreover, we show that an amino acid sequence motif and secondary structural features of the flexible N‐terminal domain are important for formate translocation, and efflux/influx is influenced by pyruvate formate‐lyase. The soluble N‐terminal domain is, therefore, essential for bidirectional formate translocation by FocA, suggesting a “gate‐keeper” function controlling anion accessibility.
Reframing the meaning of life and professional values: A theoretical framework of facilitating professional care for terminally ill patients
Authors: Pan Si , Li Xianhong , Shen Yan , Chen Jia , Koniak‐Griffin Deborah 
Published: November 2020

AbstractProfessional values reflect nurses' understanding of how to deliver professional care, which might influence nurses' attitudes and caring behaviors during end‐of‐life care. However, limited research has been conducted to explore nurses' experiences of professional development during end‐of‐life care, and theoretical explanations are scarce about how nurses enact their professional values during the caring process. This study explored the social process of professional values involved in end‐of‐life care in the Chinese cultural context by adopting a constructivist grounded theory approach. Twenty semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with 15 nurses from three hospitals in southeastern China were conducted. A theoretical framework emerged when focusing on the social process of “reframing the meaning of life and professional values” to facilitate professional care for terminally ill patients. Three main categories were sequentially identified as “recognizing the dilemmas when caring for terminally ill patients,” “applying strategies to deal with values conflict,” and “reconstructing values.” This theoretical framework may be applied as a practical framework for equipping nurses with effective strategies to cultivate professional values, including the provision of adequate end‐of‐life knowledge, and a supportive workplace environment.
PD‐L1 expression patterns in oral cancer as an integrated approach for further prognostic classification
Authors: Miranda‐Galvis Marisol , Rumayor Piña Alicia , Sales de Sá Raísa , Almeida Leite Amanda , Agustin Vargas Pablo , Calsavara Vinicius Fernando , Lópes Pinto Clóvis A. , Teng Yong , Kowalski Luiz Paulo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite the well‐known role of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in promoting immune resistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker is undetermined. We evaluated PD‐L1 expression as predictor of survival in patients with OSCC and explored PD‐L1 expression patterns.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study that assessed PD‐L1 expression through immunohistochemistry in 123 surgical specimens of OSCC. A first approach evaluated tumor proportion scores (TPS) and combined proportion scores (CPS). Next, expression patterns were examined by evaluating PD‐L1 localization in tumor nests, as well as the interfaces of tumor cells (TC) and immune cells (IC) in the tumor microenvironment.ResultsHigh‐level PD‐L1 expression determined by TPS and CPS using variable cutoffs was not associated with survival. Immunohistochemistry revealed that TC expressed PD‐L1 in either patchy or diffuse patterns. The patchy pattern was an independent risk factor for overall survival. Furthermore, expression patterns in the tumor immune microenvironment showed that most cases expressed PD‐L1 on both TC and IC, while PD‐L1 non‐expressors had the lowest overall survival.ConclusionPD‐L1 expression patterns in the context of localization in tumor nests and TC—IC interactions represent antitumor immune responses better than either TPS or CPS. Our suggested classification system may have important implications for the characterization of OSCC and for the use of PD‐L1 as a prognostic biomarker.
Is zeaxanthin needed for desiccation tolerance? Sustained forms of thermal dissipation in tolerant versus sensitive bryophytes
Authors: Verhoeven Amy S. , Berkowitz Jennifer M. , Walton Brenna N. , Berube Brandt K. , Willour Jerry J. , Polich Sidney B. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDesiccation tolerant (DT) plants engage and disengage sustained forms of energy dissipation in response to desiccation and rehydration. This project sought to characterize the role of zeaxanthin and thylakoid protein phosphorylation status in sustained energy dissipation during desiccation in bryophytes with varying DT. Tolerant (Polytrichum piliferum, Dicranum species, Calliergon stramineum) and sensitive (Grimmia species, Schistidium rivulare, Sphagnum species) moss were desiccated in darkness or natural light conditions for up to three weeks. Desiccation caused pronounced reductions in Fv/Fm in all cases which was enhanced by light exposure during desiccation. Desiccation in darkness resulted in no accumulation of Z in any species, however, in natural light conditions there was significant accumulation of Z in tolerant but not sensitive species. Desiccation in natural light, relative to darkness, resulted in more pronounced reductions in Fo in tolerant but not sensitive species. Recovery of Fv/Fm upon rehydration occurred in two phases, a rapid phase (minutes) and a slower phase (hours). Increased time of desiccation, and light exposure, resulted in a reduction in the rapid phase. Desiccation in light conditions resulted in some accumulation of the phosphorylated form of the major light harvesting trimer (LHCII). Data are consistent with two mechanisms of sustained quenching, neither of which requires Z. However, when desiccation occurs in natural light conditions, accumulation of Z likely contributes to one or both of the sustained forms of dissipation. Increases in LHCII phosphorylation during desiccation are consistent with increased connectivity between the photosystems. The absence of Z formation in sensitive species may contribute to their lack of desiccation tolerance.
Testing limits: ERP evidence for word form preactivation during speeded sentence reading
Authors: DeLong Katherine A. , Chan Wen‐hsuan , Kutas Marta 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWhile it is commonly agreed upon that language comprehenders preactivate information at multiple levels, there is less consensus regarding what and when information is predicted, under which circumstances, and via which mechanism(s). Regarding when, Ito, Corley, Pickering, Martin, & Nieuwland (2016) concluded that during sentence processing, word form—unlike semantic—preactivation crucially relies on the time available to generate late‐stage predictions via language production mechanisms, setting this limit between 500 and 700 ms/word. The current event‐related brain potential (ERP) study tests this proposal at a substantially faster serial visual presentation (SVP) rate of four words/s, on par with normal reading. We utilize the experimental design and replicate the general ERP findings of the two words/s SVP study of DeLong, Chan, & Kutas (2019), with results showing similar N400 reductions to unpredictable sentence continuations whether semantically or orthographically related to contextually predictable words, as well as an increased late posterior positivity to orthographic neighbors. These findings indicate that processing of written word information can be rapidly facilitated through context‐based expectancies, establishing that if there is a time constraint for word form preactivation, it must be far less than limits specified by the prediction‐by‐production comprehension model championed by Ito et al.
An Information Theoretic Approach for Selecting Arms in Clinical Trials
Authors: Mozgunov Pavel , Jaki Thomas 
Published: November 2020

SummaryThe question of selecting the ‘best’ among different choices is a common problem in statistics. In drug development, our motivating setting, the question becomes, for example, which treatment gives the best response rate. Motivated by recent developments in the theory of context-dependent information measures, we propose a flexible response-adaptive experimental design based on a novel criterion governing treatment arm selections which can be used in adaptive experiments with simple (e.g. binary) and complex (e.g. co-primary, ordinal or nested) end points. It was found that, for specific choices of the context-dependent measure, the criterion leads to a reliable selection of the correct arm without any parametric or monotonicity assumptions and provides noticeable gains in settings with costly observations. The asymptotic properties of the design are studied for different allocation rules, and the small sample size behaviour is evaluated in simulations in the context of phase II clinical trials with different end points. We compare the proposed design with currently used alternatives and discuss its practical implementation.
High‐order exceptional points and enhanced sensing in subwavelength resonator arrays
Authors: Ammari Habib , Davies Bryn , Hiltunen Erik Orvehed , Lee Hyundae , Yu Sanghyeon 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSystems exhibiting degeneracies known as exceptional points have remarkable properties with powerful applications, particularly in sensor design. These degeneracies are formed when eigenstates coincide, and the remarkable effects are exaggerated by increasing the order of the exceptional point (i.e., the number of coincident eigenstates). In this work, we use asymptotic techniques to study ‐symmetric arrays of many subwavelength resonators and search for high‐order asymptotic exceptional points. This analysis reveals the range of different configurations that can give rise to such exceptional points and provides efficient techniques to compute them. We also show how systems exhibiting high‐order exceptional points can be used for sensitivity enhancement.
Maximum pseudo‐likelihood estimation based on estimated residuals in copula semiparametric models
Authors: Omelka Marek , Hudecová Šárka , Neumeyer Natalie 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper deals with an estimation of the dependence structure of a multidimensional response variable in the presence of a multivariate covariate. It is assumed that the covariate affects only the marginal distributions through regression models while the dependence structure, which is described by a copula, is unaffected. A parametric estimation of the copula function is considered with focus on the maximum pseudo‐likelihood method. It is proved that under some appropriate regularity assumptions the estimator calculated from the residuals has the same asymptotic distribution as the estimator based on the unobserved errors. In such case one can ignore the fact that the response is first adjusted for the effect of the covariate. The theoretical results are accompanied by a Monte Carlo simulation study which illustrates that the maximum pseudo‐likelihood estimator based on residuals may behave poorly when the stated regularity assumptions are not satisfied.