bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DksA plays an essential role in regulating the virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Mason Charlotte , Thompson Christina , Ouyang Zhiming 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe RNA polymerase‐binding protein DksA, together with the alarmone nucleotides (p)ppGpp, mediates the stringent response to nutrient starvation in Borrelia burgdorferi. To date, the contribution of DksA to B. burgdorferi infection remains unknown. We report here that DksA is essential for B. burgdorferi to infect a mammalian host. dksA expression was highly induced during infection. Moreover, a dksA‐deficient mutant was incapable of infecting mice. The mutant displayed growth defects when cultured in vitro and resistance to osmotic pressure was markedly reduced. These phenotypes were fully restored to those of the wild type when dksA mutation was complemented. We further showed that DksA controlled the expression of virulence‐associated lipoprotein OspC, likely via the central alternative sigma factor RpoS. Synthesis of RpoS was abolished in the dksA mutant, but rpoS transcription remained unaffected. Additionally, we found that the expression of clpX, clpA, clpP, and clpP2 was significantly increased in the mutant, suggesting that DksA may post‐transcriptionally regulate rpoS expression via its effect on ClpXP and/or ClpAP proteases. These combined data demonstrate that DksA regulates B. burgdorferi virulence at least partially through its influence on RpoS and OspC. This study thus elucidates that, in addition to function as a stringent response regulator, DksA promotes the transcription and/or translation of genes contributing to B. burgdorferi infectivity.
A FACE FROM THE BRITISH IRON AGE: A DECORATED IRON AGE WEAVING COMB FROM HARWELL, OXFORDSHIRE
Authors: Fitzpatrick A.P. 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThe handle of a decorated weaving comb of bone, found in an Iron Age settlement at Harwell, UK, has a naturalistic depiction of a human face rare for prehistoric Britain. Dated to the fifth to third centuries BC, the comb was probably used in the making of narrow pieces of patterned textile. It is suggested that the linear decoration on the comb represents the patterns on textiles, which are usually regarded as the products of a domestic craft, but the figural representation derives from the repertoire of metal workers.
Optical coherence tomography for the investigation of skin adaptation to mechanical stress
Authors: Swanson Eric C. , Friedly Janna L. , Wang Ruikang K. , Sanders Joan E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundSkin breakdown due to limb‐socket interface stress is a significant problem for lower limb prosthesis users. While it is known that skin can adapt to stress to become more resistant to breakdown, little is understood about skin adaptation and few methods exist to noninvasively investigate it. In this study, we present novel, noninvasive imaging methods using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to assess key features of the cutaneous microvasculature that may be involved in skin adaptation.Materials and MethodsEight able‐bodied participants wore a modified below‐knee prosthetic socket for two weeks to stress the skin of their lower limb. Two OCT‐based imaging tests were used to assess the function and structure, respectively, of the cutaneous microvasculature at multiple time points throughout the socket wear protocol.ResultsA measurable reactive hyperemia response was reliably induced in the skin of study participants in the vascular function assessment test. The vascular structure assessment demonstrated excellent field‐of‐view repeatability, providing rich data sets of vessel structure. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the measurements when compared between time points of the adaptation protocol. The participants’ limbs were likely not stressed enough by the able‐bodied socket to induce measurable skin adaptation.ConclusionThis study introduced new techniques to investigate skin adaptation to mechanical stress. If the key limitations are addressed, these methods have the potential to provide insight into the function and structure of the cutaneous microvasculature that previously could not be attained noninvasively.
Enhanced visualization of blood and pigment in multispectral skin dermoscopy
Authors: Janssen Laudine , Mylle Sofie , Van Kelst Sofie , De Smedt Julie , Diricx Bart , Kimpe Tom , Boone Marc , Verhaeghe Evelien , Brochez Lieve , Garmyn Marjan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackground and objectivesDermoscopy has proven its value in the diagnosis of skin cancer and, therefore, is well established in daily dermatology practice. Up until now, analogue white light dermoscopy is the standard. Multispectral dermoscopy is based on illumination of the skin with narrowband light sources with different wavelengths. Each of these wavelengths is differently absorbed by skin chromophores, such as pigment or (de)oxygenated blood. Multispectral dermoscopy could be a way to enhance the visualization of vasculature and pigment. We illustrate possible additional information by such “skin parameter maps” in some cases of basal cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease.MethodsUsing a new digital multispectral dermatoscope, skin images at multiple wavelengths are collected from different types of skin lesions. These particular images together with the knowledge on skin absorption properties, result in so called “skin parameter maps”.ResultsA “pigment contrast map,” which shows the relative concentration of primarily pigment, and a “blood contrast map” which shows the relative concentration of primarily blood were created. Especially, the latter is of importance in diagnosing keratinocyte skin cancer hence vascular structures are a characteristic feature, as further illustrated in the study.ConclusionsSkin parameter maps based on multispectral images can give better insight in the inner structures of lesions, especially in lesions with characteristic blood vessels such as Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma. Skin parameter maps can be used complementary to regular dermoscopy and could potentially facilitate diagnosing skin lesions.
Local motion simulation using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Xu Dong , Huang Xiao , Li Zhenlong , Li Xiang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTraditional local motion simulation focuses largely on avoiding collisions in the next frame. However, due to its lack of forward looking, the global trajectory of agents usually seems unreasonable. As a method of optimizing the overall reward, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) can better correct the problems that exist in the traditional local motion simulation method. In this article, we propose a local motion simulation method integrating optimal reciprocal collision avoidance (ORCA) and DRL, referred to as ORCA‐DRL. The main idea of ORCA‐DRL is to perform local collision avoidance detection via ORCA and smooth the trajectory at the same time via DRL. We use a deep neural network (DNN) as the state‐to‐action mapping function, where the state information is detected by virtual visual sensors and the action space includes two continuous spaces: speed and direction. To improve data utilization and speed up the training process, we use the proximal policy optimization based on the actor–critic (AC) framework to update the DNN parameters. Three scenes (circle, hallway, and crossing) are designed to evaluate the performance of ORCA‐DRL. The results reveal that, compared with the ORCA, our proposed ORCA‐DRL method can: (a) reduce the total number of frames, leading to less time for agents to reach their destination; and (b) effectively avoid local optima, evidenced by smoothed global trajectories.
South African English, social inclusion and identity integration in New Zealand
Authors: Barkhuizen Gary 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA few months before immigrating to New Zealand, an Afrikaans‐English bilingual woman was interviewed in South Africa about her expectations of her sociolinguistic life in her new country. Fifteen years later she was interviewed again, in New Zealand. This article tells the story of her pre‐departure expectations and desires, and her retrospective meaning making of the experiences she had lived since her arrival in New Zealand. This longitudinal narrative study focuses on her use of South African English in the host country, particularly in the community and the workplace, and pays attention to its reception by others in these contexts. The study draws on a cognitive‐developmental model of identity integration to frame the analysis of interview data from a narrative perspective. It does so by using short story analysis (Barkhuizen, 2016). Short stories are extracts of interview data in story form and are analyzed for their content and varying scales of context. Three short stories are analyzed in this article. They show how the participant's English is used and received in New Zealand and what effect this has on her life and identity as an immigrant in the country over time.
South African Englishes: A contemporary bibliography
Authors: Botha Werner , van Rooy Bertus , Coetzee‐van Rooy Susan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe bibliography presented here is a list of contemporary research publications that provide the details of books, research articles, as well as other research outputs that were published between 1994 and 2020. The main aim of this bibliography is to provide scholars interested in researching South African Englishes with sources of major works published internationally as well as in core journals from South Africa. Despite the problems concerning representativeness of research bibliographies, we hope that this list of references will complement existing sources in the field. We also hope that this bibliography will serve as a useful guide for those researchers and graduate students interested in contemporary issues in the study of South African Englishes.
The Optical Properties of Dual-Wavelength InxGa1−xN/GaN Nanorods for Wide-Spectrum Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zhao Jie , Wei Xuecheng , Liang Dongdong , Hu Qiang , Yan Jianchang , Wang Junxi , Wei Tongbo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe fabricated the dual-wavelength InxGa1−xN/GaN nanorods for wide-spectrum light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by silica nanosphere lithography (SNL) technique. The emission properties of the dual-wavelength nanorods are characterized by micro-photoluminescence (micro-PL), cathodoluminescence (CL), and temperature-dependent PL (TDPL) measurements. Nanorod structure can effectively suppress quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) compared with planar structure due to the strain relaxation. In addition, the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the green quantum well (QW) within nanorod structure increases, but the IQE of the blue QW clearly decreases because blue QW has severely suffered from the nonradiative recombination by surface damage. Furthermore, the IQEs of the green QW and the blue QW within the nanorod structure can be effectively improved by wet etching treatment, with an increase in factor by 1.3 when compared with unetched nanorod structure. Evidently, the dual-wavelength InxGa1−xN/GaN nanorods are beneficial to improve the optical performance compared with planar structure, presenting a potential to realize monolithic, high-efficiency, and cost-effective white LEDs.
Evaluation of Friction-Factor Correlations at Supercritical Water Conditions in Support of the Canadian SCWR
Authors: Nava-Dominguez A. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Canada is participating in the Generation IV International Forum with the main focus on the pressure-tube-type supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) concept. The Canadian SCWR concept is a heavy-water moderated and light-water-cooled reactor. The R&D framework for the development of the Canadian SCWR fuel-assembly concept includes experiments and analyses, including subchannel code development and applications. This paper focuses on the modeling of the hydraulic resistance under supercritical conditions, with or without the wire-wrap spacers. More specifically, it presents an assessment of three friction factor correlations developed for supercritical conditions. A literature survey of wire-wrap hydraulic models is presented. The assessment of the supercritical friction factor correlations and wire-wrap hydraulic models is carried out using three pressure drop experimental datasets, using the subchannel code ASSERT-PV V3.2m2.
Dps Protects Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli against Acid-Induced Antimicrobial Peptide Killing
Authors: Lackraj Tracy , Birstonas Sarah , Kacori Michele , Barnett Foster Debora 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT
Dps, a DNA-binding protein from starved cells in Escherichia coli, is part of the bacterial defense system that protects DNA against various cellular stresses. Our lab previously demonstrated that a novel antimicrobial peptide, WRWYCR, enhances acid-induced killing of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and ameliorates infection in a Citrobacter rodentium mouse model of EHEC infection. WRWYCR has previously been shown to compromise DNA damage repair and to increase chelatable iron within the cell. These findings, combined with the effects of peptide and acid stress on DNA damage, suggest a key defense role for Dps in peptide-induced killing of EHEC. The goal of this study is to evaluate the role of Dps in peptide-induced killing of EHEC through survival assays and flow cytometric analyses of DNA damage and hydroxyl radical formation. Our results demonstrate that disruption of the dps gene in stationary-phase EHEC O157:H7 cells, but not in exponential-phase cells, enhances acid-, peptide-, and peptide-acid-induced killing relative to that of wild-type (WT) EHEC. Using flow cytometric analysis, we have also demonstrated increased levels of hydroxyl radicals in peptide-treated wild-type EHEC relative to those in the untreated control. Disruption of the dps gene further increases this. These findings indicate that peptide treatment of EHEC enhances the formation of hydroxyl radicals, likely through the Fenton reaction, thereby contributing to the killing action of the peptide, and that dps protects against peptide killing of EHEC. This study provides important insights into peptide WRWYCR-mediated killing of EHEC, which could be exploited in the development of more effective antimicrobials.
IMPORTANCE The research presented in this paper explores the role of the DNA-binding protein Dps as a key defense mechanism of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains in protecting against killing by the novel antimicrobial peptide WRWYCR. Our results demonstrate that Dps protects against peptide-induced killing of EHEC through direct protection against acid stress and hydroxyl radical formation, both of which are mechanisms targeted by the antimicrobial peptide. This study provides important insights into peptide WRWYCR-mediated killing of EHEC, which could be exploited in the development of more effective antimicrobials through specific targeting of Dps in order to allow a more potent response to the antimicrobial WRWYCR.
Prevalence and causes of vision loss in sub-Saharan Africa in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections
Authors: Naidoo Kovin , Kempen John H , Gichuhi Stephen , Braithwaite Tasanee , Casson Robert J , Cicinelli Maria Vittoria , Das Aditi , Flaxman Seth R , Jonas Jost B , Keeffe Jill Elizabeth , Leasher Janet , Limburg Hans , Pesudovs Konrad , Resnikoff Serge , Silvester Alexander J , Tahhan Nina , Taylor Hugh R , Wong Tien Y , Bourne Rupert R A 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the prevalence and causes of vision loss in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in 2015, compared with prior years, and to estimate expected values for 2020.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of blindness (presenting distance visual acuity <3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; presenting distance visual acuity <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (MVI; presenting distance visual acuity <6/12 and ≥6/18), and also near vision impairment (<N6 or N8 in the presence of ≥6/12 best-corrected distance visual acuity) in SSA for 1990, 2010, 2015 and 2020.In SSA, age-standardised prevalence of blindness, MSVI and MVI in 2015 were 1.03% (80% uncertainty interval (UI) 0.39–1.81), 3.64% (80% UI 1.71–5.94) and 2.94% (80% UI 1.05–5.34), respectively, for male and 1.08% (80% UI 0.40–1.93), 3.84% (80% UI 1.72–6.37) and 3.06% (80% UI 1.07–5.61) for females, constituting a significant decrease since 2010 for both genders. There were an estimated 4.28 million blind individuals and 17.36 million individuals with MSVI; 101.08 million individuals were estimated to have near vision loss due to presbyopia. Cataract was the most common cause of blindness (40.1%), whereas undercorrected refractive error (URE) (48.5%) was the most common cause of MSVI. Sub-Saharan West Africa had the highest proportion of blindness compared with the other SSA subregions.ConclusionsCataract and URE, two of the major causes of blindness and vision impairment, are reversible with treatment and thus promising targets to alleviate vision impairment in SSA.
Cohort profile: the Brain and Mind CentreOptymisecohort: tracking multidimensional outcomes in young people presenting for mental healthcare
Authors: Carpenter Joanne S , Iorfino Frank , Cross Shane , Nichles Alissa , Zmicerevska Natalia , Crouse Jacob J , Palmer Jake R , Whitton Alexis E , White Django , Naismith Sharon L , Guastella Adam J , Hermens Daniel F , Scott Jan , Scott Elizabeth M , Hickie Ian B 
Published: March 2020

PurposeThe Brain and Mind Centre (BMC)Optymisecohort assesses multiple clinical and functional domains longitudinally in young people presenting for mental health care and treatment. Longitudinal tracking of this cohort will allow investigation of the relationships between multiple outcome domains across the course of care. Subsets ofOptymisehave completed detailed neuropsychological and neurobiological assessments, permitting investigation of associations between these measures and longitudinal course.ParticipantsYoung people (aged 12–30) presenting to clinics coordinated by the BMC were recruited to a research register (n=6743) progressively between June 2008 and July 2018. To date, 2767 individuals have been included inOptymisebased on the availability of at least one detailed clinical assessment.MeasuresTrained researchers use a clinical research proforma to extract key data from clinical files to detail social and occupational functioning, clinical presentation, self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, alcohol and other substance use, physical health comorbidities, personal and family history of mental illness, and treatment utilisation at the following time points: baseline, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months, and time last seen.Findings to dateThere is moderate to substantial agreement between raters for data collected via the proforma. While wide variations in individual illness course are clear, social and occupational outcomes suggest that the majority of cohort members show no improvement in functioning over time. Differential rates of longitudinal transition are reported between early and late stages of illness, with a number of baseline factors associated with these transitions. Furthermore, there are longitudinal associations between prior suicide attempts and inferior clinical and functional outcomes.Future plansFuture reports will detail the longitudinal course of each outcome domain and examine multidirectional relationships between these domains both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and explore in subsets the associations between detailed neurobiological measures and clinical, social and functional outcomes.
Association of prestroke medicine use and health outcomes after ischaemic stroke in Sweden: a registry-based cohort study
Authors: Ingrid Lekander , von Euler Mia , Sunnerhagen Katharina S 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate if there is a relationship between preischaemic stroke medicine use and health outcomes after stroke.SettingThis registry-based study covered Swedish stroke care, both primary and secondary care, including approximately 60% of the Swedish stroke cases from seven Swedish regions.ParticipantsThe Sveus research database was used, including 35 913 patients (33 943 with full information on confounding factors) with an ischaemic stroke (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) I63*) between 2009 and 2011 registered both in the regions’ patient administrative systems and in the Swedish Stroke Register. Patients with haemorrhagic stroke (ICD-10 I61*) were excluded.Primary outcomeThe primary outcome was the association, expressed in ORs, of prestroke medicine use (oral anticoagulants, statins, antihypertensives, antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antidiabetic drugs) and health outcomes 1 and 2 years poststroke (survival, activities of daily living dependency and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2), adjusted for patient characteristics and stroke severity at stroke onset.ResultsThe multivariate analysis indicated that patients on drugs for hypertension, diabetes, oral anticoagulants and antidepressants prestroke had worse odds for health outcomes in both survival (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.69; OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.83; OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.80; OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.98, respectively, for survival at 2 years) and functional outcome (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.89; OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.68; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.95; OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.65, respectively, for mRS 0–2 at 1 year), whereas patients on statins and NSAIDS had significantly better odds for survival (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.25 and OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.25 for 1-year survival, respectively), compared with patients without these treatments prior to stroke.ConclusionsThe results indicated that there are differences in health outcomes between patients who had different common prestroke treatments, patients on drugs for hypertension, diabetes, oral anticoagulants and antidepressants had worse health outcomes, whereas patients on statins and NSAIDS had significantly better survival, compared with patients without these treatments prior to stroke.