bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi in guttural pouch lavage samples using a loop‐mediated isothermal nucleic acid amplification microfluidic device
Authors: Boyle Ashley G. , Rankin Shelley C. , O'Shea Kathleen , Stefanovski Darko , Peng Jing , Song Jinzhao , Bau Haim H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundRapid point‐of‐care (POC) detection of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) would theoretically reduce the spread of strangles by identifying index and carrier horses.HypothesisThat the eqbE isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, and the same eqbE LAMP assay tested in a microfluidic device format, are comparable to a triplex real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay that is commonly used in diagnostic labs.SamplesSixty‐eight guttural pouch lavage (GPL) specimens from horses recovering from strangles.MethodsGuttural pouch lavage specimens were tested for S. equi retrospectively using the benchtop eqbE LAMP, the eqbE LAMP microfluidic device, and compared to the triplex qPCR, that detects 2 S. equi‐specific genes, eqbE and SEQ2190, as the reference standard using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC).ResultsThe 27/68 specimens were positive by benchtop eqbE LAMP, 31/64 by eqbE LAMP microfluidic device, and 12/67 by triplex qPCR. Using the triplex PCR as the reference, the benchtop eqbE LAMP showed excellent discrimination (ROC Area = 0.813, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.711‐0.915) as did the LAMP microfluidic device (ROC Area = 0.811, 95% CI = 0.529‐0.782). There was no significant difference between the benchtop LAMP and LAMP microfluidic device (ROC Area 0.813 ± 0.055 vs 0.811 ± 0.034, P = .97).ConclusionsThe eqbE LAMP microfluidic device detected S. equi in GPL specimens from convalescent horses. This assay shows potential for development as a POC device for rapid, sensitive, accurate, and cost‐efficient detection of S. equi.
Primary and isolated cutaneous precursor B‐lymphoblastic lymphoma in an infant
Authors: Jouini Raja , Chabchoub Ines , Khanchel Fatma , Helal Imen , Badri Talel , Ben Brahim Ehsene , Hammami Houda , Chadli‐Debbiche Ashraf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCutaneous lesions may represent the initial sign of various neoplasms in children, including histiocytosis, neuroblastomas, and lymphomas. Primary cutaneous lymphoblastic lymphomas are rare and involve mostly the B‐cell phenotype. Herein, we report a case of isolated, primary B‐lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 7‐month‐old infant and emphasize the importance of early diagnosis.
Admired and disgusted? Third parties’ paradoxical emotional reactions and behavioral consequences towards others’ unethical pro‐organizational behavior
Authors: Tang Pok Man , Yam Kai Chi , Koopman Joel , Ilies Remus 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnethical pro‐organizational behavior (UPB) is often visible to co‐workers; however, reactions to UPB are rarely considered in empirical research in spite of their importance to the social dynamics in the workplace. Drawing upon appraisal theory of emotion and the behavioral ethics literature, we predict that observing UPB would lead third parties to experience admiration due to thepro‐organizationalnature of UPB; these third parties would in turn be motivated to display more helping behavior towards the UPB actor. Conversely, we predict that observing UPB would lead third parties to experience disgust due to theunethicalnature of UPB; these third parties would dis‐identify themselves from the UPB actor by instigating incivility. Meanwhile, they would disengage themselves from the UPB actor by avoiding them in subsequent interactions. In addition, the observing employees might also engage in action‐oriented behavior such as whistle‐blowing behavior to sanction the UPB actor. Across an experience‐sampling study with three daily assessments as well as an experimental study, we find support for these predictions. Furthermore, we find that third parties’ moral attentiveness moderates the link between observed UPB and disgust, such that observed UPB leads to heightened feelings of disgust only when third parties have high levels of moral attentiveness. We conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our work.
Research progress of keratinocyte‐programmed cell death in UV‐induced Skin photodamage
Authors: Tang Ziting , Tong Xiaoliang , Huang Jinhua , Liu Lulu , Wang Dan , Yang Shengbo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProgrammed cell death (PCD) is a basic component of life and an important terminal path for cells. A variety of biological events are associated with PCD, including the conservation of tissue homeostasis and removal of harmful cells. Overexposure of the skin to UV radiation causes skin photodamage. Keratinocytes are the first line of defence against ultraviolet radiation. During UV radiation, the keratinocyte can undergo four modes of PCD: apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and autophagy. The molecular mechanisms of these four modes of PCD have been widely studied as potential therapeutic targets for the prevention of UV‐induced skin inflammation, ageing and skin cancer. In this review, we summarize the role of keratinocyte PCD in the pathogenesis of UV‐induced skin photodamage. This article will provide new research directions for the design of intervention strategies for the treatment and prevention of skin photodamage.
The causal theory of knowledge revisited: An interventionist approach
Authors: de Grefte Job , Gebharter Alexander 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGoldman proposed that a subject knows if and only if is appropriately causally connected to 's believing . He later on abandoned this theory. The main objection to the theory is that the causal connection required by Goldman is compatible with certain problematic forms of luck. In this paper we argue that Goldman's causal theory of knowledge can overcome the luck problem if causation is understood along interventionist lines. We also show that the modified theory leads to the correct results in contexts involving other prominent forms of epistemic luck and compare it with other accounts on the market.
Productivity determinants in the construction sector in emerging country: New evidence from Ecuadorian firms
Authors: Camino‐Mogro Segundo , Bermudez‐Barrezueta Natalia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe construction sector is one of the most important sectors for economic development due, among other reasons, to the productive chains that it generates. This paper presents an analysis of the determinants of the total factor productivity (TFP) in the Ecuadorian construction sector during the period 2007–2018. In the first stage, we estimate a production function using the Wooldridge (Economics Letters, 2009, 104, 112–114) estimator to correct the simultaneous determination of inputs and firm unobserved productivity. In the second stage, we analyze the main determinants of TFP. These determinants are classified into four groups: internal, international trade, financial constraints, and external characteristics. Our results suggest that firm age is positively related with TFP but negatively related with TFP growth. Similarly, the fact of being a family firm is negatively related with TFP, but size is positively related with TFP and its growth across the construction subsectors. In addition, we find that access to debt and credit is positively related with productivity, but less‐competitive environment is negatively related with productivity. Finally, our results suggest that TFP and its growth are pro‐cyclical with respect to the gross domestic product. Our results have several managerial implications that are discussed in this article.
Self‐reported cognitive impairment and daily life functioning 7–12 years after seeking care for stress‐related exhaustion
Authors: Ellbin Susanne , Jonsdottir Ingibjörg H. , Eckerström Carl , Eckerström Marie 
Published: March 2021

The overall aim of this study was to investigate self‐reported cognitive difficulties, daily life activities, and health/sleep factors in former patients with exhaustion disorder (ED) who still fulfill the clinical criteria for exhaustion 7–12 years after seeking care. The Sahlgrenska Self‐reported Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire (SASCI‐Q) was used to measure cognitive difficulties, daily life activities, and health/sleep factors. Three groups were compared: previous patients still judged to be clinically exhausted seven years or more after seeking care (n = 51); previous patients considered clinically recovered (n = 98); and healthy controls (n = 50). Patients who still fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for ED reported widespread problems related to cognition, fatigue, and daily life functioning compared to the clinically recovered group. Furthermore, despite no longer fulfilling the clinical criteria, the recovered patients still reported more problems related to cognitive functioning and fatigue compared to healthy controls. Thus, this group appeared intermediary between the non‐recovered group and healthy controls regarding self‐reported cognitive functioning. To conclude, ED may have considerable negative long‐term effects, and it is possible that some of these residual symptoms, particularly the cognitive problems and persistent fatigue, are permanent in some patients. Preventive measures should be the primary focus for all stakeholders, since the consequences of stress‐related mental health problems seem to be extensive and long‐lasting.
Not Merely Ideological: The Political Economy of Populism in Government
Authors: Avigur‐Eshel Amit , Filc Dani 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn recent years the study of populism has followed a "pure" political track, typically employing an ideological perspective. We argue that such a perspective downplays material aspects of populism and limits the ability to analyze populism in government. In order to reinvigorate interest in and concern with the political economy of contemporary populism we rely on the emerging growth model approach in comparative political economy to study the political economy of populism in government. We situate populist socio‐economic policies, understood as those policies aiming at improving the material welfare and wellbeing of "the people", within a growth model analysis whose main insight is the association of economic growth with dynamics in the division of national income between labor and capital. Our empirical analysis of three successive governments of Israel led by the Likud populist party between 2009 and 2018 demonstrates the utility of this approach for the study of populism in government.
Divergent DNA methylation contributes to duplicated gene evolution and chilling response in tea plants
Authors: Tong Wei , Li Ruopei , Huang Jin , Zhao Huijuan , Ge Ruoheng , Wu Qiong , Mallano Ali I. , Wang Yanli , Li Fangdong , Deng Weiwei , Li Yeyun , Xia Enhua 
Published: March 2021

SummaryThe tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is a thermophilic cash crop and contains a highly duplicated and repeat‐rich genome. It is still unclear how DNA methylation regulates the evolution of duplicated genes and chilling stress in tea plants. We therefore generated a single‐base‐resolution DNA methylation map of tea plants under chilling stress. We found that, compared with other plants, the tea plant genome is highly methylated in all three sequence contexts, including CG, CHG and CHH (where H = A, T, or C), which is further proven to be correlated with its repeat content and genome size. We show that DNA methylation in the gene body negatively regulates the gene expression of tea plants, whereas non‐CG methylation in the flanking region enables a positive regulation of gene expression. We demonstrate that transposable element‐mediated methylation dynamics significantly drives the expression divergence of duplicated genes in tea plants. The DNA methylation and expression divergence of duplicated genes in the tea plant increases with evolutionary age and selective pressure. Moreover, we detect thousands of differentially methylated genes, some of which are functionally associated with chilling stress. We also experimentally reveal that DNA methyltransferase genes of tea plants are significantly downregulated, whereas demethylase genes are upregulated at the initial stage of chilling stress, which is in line with the significant loss of DNA methylation of three well‐known cold‐responsive genes at their promoter and gene body regions. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of DNA methylation regulation and offer new insights into duplicated gene evolution and chilling tolerance in tea plants.
Phloem exudate metabolic content reflects the response to water‐deficit stress in pea plants (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Blicharz Sara , Beemster Gerrit T.S. , Ragni Laura , De Diego Nuria , Spíchal Lukas , Hernándiz Alba E. , Marczak Łukasz , Olszak Marcin , Perlikowski Dawid , Kosmala Arkadiusz , Malinowski Robert 
Published: March 2021

SummaryDrought stress impacts the quality and yield of Pisum sativum. Here, we show how short periods of limited water availability during the vegetative stage of pea alters phloem sap content and how these changes are connected to strategies used by plants to cope with water deficit. We have investigated the metabolic content of phloem sap exudates and explored how this reflects P. sativum physiological and developmental responses to drought. Our data show that drought is accompanied by phloem‐mediated redirection of the components that are necessary for cellular respiration and the proper maintenance of carbon/nitrogen balance during stress. The metabolic content of phloem sap reveals a shift from anabolic to catabolic processes as well as the developmental plasticity of P. sativum plants subjected to drought. Our study underlines the importance of phloem‐mediated transport for plant adaptation to unfavourable environmental conditions. We also show that phloem exudate analysis can be used as a useful proxy to study stress responses in plants. We propose that the decrease in oleic acid content within phloem sap could be considered as a potential marker of early signalling events mediating drought response.
Development of a framework for assessing the robustness of drinking water source protection programmes using critical success factors
Authors: Merrett Hew Cameron , Chen Wei Tong , Horng Jao‐Jia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEffective implementation of drinking water source protection (DWSP) programmes relies on a range of factors working successfully for the effective protection of water quality. The objective of this research is to develop a weighted scoring framework for assessing the controls applied to risk management in DWSP programmes. The proposed scoring framework for DWSP programmes robustness is based on statistical analysis and pairwise comparisons of the perceptions of DWSP experts and professionals in Taiwan, Australia, and Greece on the importance of the control measures for the hazards involved in managing DWSP programmes. The scores show that although there is consistent opinion on factors for robustness of DWSP programmes, respondents’ background such as country significantly influences how effectively the factors are achieved. The systems in place for DWSP can be complex, and this approach provides a way of assessing the robustness of the programmes for protecting water quality under differing jurisdictional arrangements.
Pulmonary surfactant‐associated protein B regulates prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase‐2 and inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Wang Yan , Gao Xiaoyu , Li Yuan , Wang Xiao , Li Yuanyuan , Zhang Sainan , Liu Hongyan , Guo Hui , Lu Wenju , Sun Dejun 
Published: March 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
It is reported that polymorphism of the gene for pulmonary surfactant‐associated protein B (SFTPB) is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): what are the function and mechanism of action of SFTPB in COPD?

What is the main finding and its importance?
Under stimulation of the risk factors of COPD, SFTPB expression is decreased, which may be involved in the formation of COPD. The progress of COPD induces an inflammatory response and reduces SFTPB expression. Levels of prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase‐2 (PTGS2) and inflammatory responses are changed by SFTPB, which indicates that SFTPB promotes the progression of COPD by PTGS2 and inflammation.

AbstractPulmonary surfactant‐associated protein B (SFTPB) is a critical protein for lung homeostasis, and polymorphism of its gene is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies have so far confirmed the functional involvement of SFTPB in COPD. Serum SFTPB and inflammatory cytokine levels were measured in 54 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and 29 healthy controls. A549 cells were induced using 10% cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and treated with dexamethasone to investigate the effect of inflammation on SFTPB expression, and the effect of SFTPB overexpression and silencing on inflammatory cytokines was measured using real‐time PCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. SFTPB expression was assessed in mouse lung tissues using immunofluorescence. Serum levels of SFTPB were significantly lower in COPD patients than in controls (P = 0.009). Conversely, levels of interleukin (IL)‐6 and prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase‐2 (PTGS2) were increased in COPD patients (IL‐6: P = 0.006; PTGS2: P = 0.043). After CSE treatment, SFTPB mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased compared to controls (mRNA: P = 0.002; protein: P = 0.011), while IL‐6, IL‐8 and PTGS2 were elevated. Dexamethasone treatment increased SFTPB levels. Following overexpression of SFTPB in A549 cells, mRNA and protein levels of IL‐6, IL‐8 and PTGS2 were significantly reduced, while gene silencing induced the opposite effect. SFTPB levels were significantly reduced in the lung tissue of a mouse model of COPD compared to controls. Reduced SFTPB levels may induce PTGS2 and inflammatory responses in COPD and SFTPB could be a key protein for evaluation of COPD progression.
Evaluation of the Passive Reactor Shutdown System Performance in European Sodium Fast Reactor
Authors: Bubelis Evaldas , Schikorr Michael , Mikityuk Konstantin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The ESFR-SMART European project (Contract No. 754501) focuses on the development of innovative safety design options for European sodium-cooled fast reactor (ESFR). The task of Work Package 1.3 is to assess the impact of the new safety measures on the reactor behavior in the transients protected by either active or passive reactor shutdown systems. The aim of Task 4 in this Work Package is to evaluate the passive reactor shutdown system performance in the ESFR core. This paper deals with the results of this evaluation, which is based on the analysis of four transients passively protected by 12 diversified shutdown device (DSD) rods. Simulations have been done with the SIM-SFR system code and demonstrated that DSD rods are capable to shut down ESFR in a timely manner, in order to avoid the negative consequences of the analyzed transients. Although a total loss of heat sink transient is a practically eliminated event, it was included in the analysis to estimate the grace time before the core meltdown.
Thermodynamic Analysis in Bubbling Fluidized Bed Dryers With Spiral and Cone Angles
Authors: Das Hirakh Jyoti , Mahanta Pinakeswar , Saikia Rituraj , Tamuly Plabon 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Effective thermodynamic analysis is quite necessary for proper system design performance and optimization of system processes. Energy is concerned with the quantitative evaluation of system processes. Nonetheless, exergy gives a qualitative analysis of the system processes. The present investigation deals with the study of exergy and energy analysis of the paddy drying processes in two tapered fluidized bed dryers having the tapered angle 5 deg and 10 deg, respectively, and one cylindrical bubbling fluidized bed dryer. The energy utilization (EU) and energy utilization ratio (EUR) for various operating parameters such as inlet air velocity, mass of paddy, temperature, a spiral, and cone angle are investigated. Similarly, the exergetic efficiency and the rate of exergy destruction are also studied for the same operating parameters. The EU and EUR are found to have an increasing order when the inlet air velocity, temperature, and mass of paddy increase. The trend of EU and EUR also increases with an addition of a spiral inside a dryer. The increasing cone angle of the dryer has a similar impact on EU and EUR as that of other operating parameters. Similarly, exergy utilization and exergetic efficiency also show an increment with the rise in inlet air velocity, mass of paddy, cone angle of dryer, and temperature. The incorporation of a spiral inside a dryer improves exergy utilization and exergetic efficiency. Hence, the conical dryer with a higher cone angle is found to be the best option for drying.
Analysis of Heat Transfer Oscillation and Buoyancy Effects of Supercritical R1234ze(E) Cooled in Horizontal Helically Coiled Tubes
Authors: Jiang Yi-Ran , Hu Peng 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The helically coiled tubes (HCTs) have been attracting huge attention for enhancing the heat transfer of supercritical fluids and improving energy efficiency. Moreover, the new refrigerant R1234ze(E) has excellent environmental properties and system performance, but few researches have been concentrated on the supercritical R1234ze(E) heat transfer. In this work, the shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model is adopted for the numerical simulation of the cooling heat transfer performance of s-R1234ze(E) in horizontal HCT. The influences of heat flux, mass flux, coil pitch, and tube radius on the heat transfer coefficient, gravitational buoyancy effect, and centrifugal buoyancy effect are, respectively, investigated. Furthermore, the results reveal heat transfer oscillation occurs when Rig*|cosβ|max&gt;0.17, and the oscillation mechanism is analyzed. Different from that in the vertical HCT, the angle between the radial component of gravitational buoyancy and centrifugal force varies continuously in the horizontal helical tube, resulting in the fluid with lower temperature may locate in the inner-left region or the inner-right region. Subsequently, the heat transfer piecewise correlation for supercritical R1234ze(E) in horizontal HCT is developed. The average absolute deviation of the predicted results is 5.88%.
Physical Activity and the Menstrual Cycle: A Mixed-Methods Study of Women’s Experiences
Authors: Kolić Petra V. , Sims David T. , Hicks Kirsty , Thomas Laura , Morse Christopher I. 
Published: March 2021

The menstrual cycle is an important biological process in women that is associated with a range of physical symptoms, which can shape how women think, feel, and participate in activities of daily life. This study employed a mixed-methods design to investigate adult women’s physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle. One hundred and twenty-eight participants completed an online questionnaire that explored events of the menstrual cycle (e.g., bleeding, pain, fatigue) and physical activity. Semistructured interviews with 21 questionnaire respondents unpacked individual experiences of physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle. From the questionnaire data, 44 participants were categorized as avoiders and 84 as nonavoiders of physical activity due to menstrual events. Avoiders of physical activity reported longer periods, heavier menstrual flow, and higher levels of fatigue and pain compared with nonavoiders. Interviews revealed that avoidance of physical activity ranged from complete avoidance to adaptation (e.g., types of exercise). Reasons for avoidance and adaptation of physical activity included menstrual symptoms, personal thoughts, and concerns about other people’s views of the period. The present study findings emphasize the importance of not only evaluating prevalent physical symptoms, but also unpacking women’s individual perspectives and established societal norms to better understand and normalize physical activity throughout the menstrual cycle.