bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shock deformation confirms the impact origin for the Cerro do Jarau, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, structure
Authors: Reimold Wolf Uwe , Crósta Alvaro Penteado , Hasch Maximilian , Kowitz Astrid , Hauser Natalia , Sanchez Joana Paula , Simões Luiz Sergio Amarante , de Oliveira Grace Juliana , Zaag Patrice T.
Published: December 2018

Cerro do Jarau is a conspicuous, circular morpho‐structural feature in Rio Grande do Sul State (Brazil), with a central elevated core in the otherwise flat “Pampas” terrain typical for the border regions between Brazil and Uruguay. The structure has a diameter of approximately 13.5 km. It is centered at 30o12′S and 56o32′W and was formed on basaltic flows of the Cretaceous Serra Geral Formation, which is part of the Paraná‐Etendeka Large Igneous Province (LIP), and in sandstones of the Botucatu and Guará formations. The structure was first spotted on aerial photographs in the 1960s. Ever since, its origin has been debated, sometimes in terms of an endogenous (igneous) origin, sometimes as the result of an exogenous (meteorite impact) event. In recent years, a number of studies have been conducted in order to investigate its nature and origin. Although the results have indicated a possible impact origin, no conclusive evidence could be produced. The interpretation of an impact origin was mostly based on the morphological characteristics of the structure; geophysical data; as well as the occurrence of different breccia types; extensive deformation/silicification of the rocks within the structure, in particular the sandstones; and also on the widespread occurrence of low‐pressure deformation features, including some planar fractures (PFs). A detailed optical microscopic analysis of samples collected during a number of field campaigns since 2007 resulted in the disclosure of a large number of quartz grains from sandstone and monomict arenite breccia from the central part of the structure with PFs and feather features (FFs), as well as a number of quartz grains exhibiting planar deformation features (PDFs). While most of these latter grains only carry a single set of PDFs, we have observed several with two sets, and one grain with three sets of PDFs. Consequently, we here propose Cerro do Jarau as the seventh confirmed impact structure in Brazil. Cerro do Jarau, together with Vargeão Dome (Santa Catalina state) and Vista Alegre (Paraná State), is one of very few impact structures on Earth formed in basaltic rocks.
Multiple forms of selection shape reproductive isolation in a primate hybrid zone
Authors: Baiz Marcella D. , Tucker Priscilla K. , Cortés‐Ortiz Liliana
Published: December 2018

Speciation occurs when populations diverge and become reproductively isolated from each other. Natural selection is commonly accepted to play a large role in this process, and it has been widely assumed that reproductive isolation often results as a by‐product of divergence driven by adaptation in allopatry. When such populations come into secondary contact, reinforcement can act to strengthen reproductive isolation, but the frequency and importance of this process are still unknown. Here, we explored genomic signatures of selection in allopatry and sympatry for loci associated with reproductive isolation using a natural primate hybrid zone. By analysing reduced‐representation sequencing data, we quantified admixture and population structure across a howler monkey hybrid zone and examined the relationship between locus‐specific differentiation and introgression. We detected extensive admixture that was mostly limited to the narrow contact zone. Loci with reduced introgression into the heterospecific genomic background (the pattern expected for loci associated with reproductive isolation due to selection against hybrids) were significantly more differentiated between allopatric parental populations than loci with neutral and increased introgression, supporting the hypothesis that reproductive isolation is a by‐product of divergence in allopatry. Further, loci with reduced introgression showed greater differentiation in sympatry than in allopatry, suggesting a role for reinforcement. Thus, our results reflect multiple forms of selection that have shaped reproductive isolation in this system. We conclude that reproductive isolation may have initially been driven by divergence in allopatry, but later reinforced by divergent selection in sympatry.
The effect of rhizosphere microbes outweighs host plant genetics in reducing insect herbivory
Authors: Hubbard Charley J. , Li Baohua , McMinn Robby , Brock Marcus T. , Maignien Lois , Ewers Brent E. , Kliebenstein Daniel , Weinig Cynthia
Published: December 2018

Rhizosphere microbes affect plant performance, including plant resistance against insect herbivores; yet, a direct comparison of the relative influence of rhizosphere microbes versus plant genetics on herbivory levels and on metabolites related to defence is lacking. In the crucifer Boechera stricta, we tested the effects of rhizosphere microbes and plant population on herbivore resistance, the primary metabolome, and select secondary metabolites. Plant populations differed significantly in the concentrations of six glucosinolates (GLS), secondary metabolites known to provide herbivore resistance in the Brassicaceae. The population with lower GLS levels experienced ~60% higher levels of aphid (Myzus persicae) attack; no association was observed between GLS and damage by a second herbivore, flea beetles (Phyllotreta cruciferae). Rhizosphere microbiome (disrupted vs. intact native microbiome) had no effect on plant GLS concentrations. However, aphid number and flea beetle damage were respectively about three‐ and seven‐fold higher among plants grown in the disrupted versus intact native microbiome treatment. These differences may be attributable to shifts in primary metabolic pathways previously implicated in host defence against herbivores, including increases in pentose and glucoronate interconversion among plants grown with an intact microbiome. Furthermore, native microbiomes with distinct community composition (as estimated from 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing) differed two‐fold in their effect on host plant susceptibility to aphids. The findings suggest that rhizosphere microbes, including distinct native microbiomes, can play a greater role than population in defence against insect herbivores, and act through metabolic mechanisms independent of population.
Population genomic evidence for plant glacial survival in Scandinavia
Authors: Westergaard Kristine B. , Zemp Niklaus , Bruederle Leo P. , Stenøien Hans K. , Widmer Alex , Fior Simone
Published: December 2018

Quaternary glaciations have played a major role in shaping the genetic diversity and distribution of plant species. Strong palaeoecological and genetic evidence supports a postglacial recolonization of most plant species to northern Europe from southern, eastern and even western glacial refugia. Although highly controversial, the existence of small in situ glacial refugia in northern Europe has recently gained molecular support. We used genomic analyses to examine the phylogeography of a species that is critical in this debate. Carex scirpoidea Michx subsp. scirpoidea is a dioecious, amphi‐Atlantic arctic–alpine sedge that is widely distributed in North America, but absent from most of Eurasia, apart from three extremely disjunct populations in Norway, all well within the limits of the Weichselian ice sheet. Range‐wide population sampling and variation at 5,307 single nucleotide polymorphisms show that the three Norwegian populations comprise unique evolutionary lineages divergent from Greenland with high between‐population divergence. The Norwegian populations have low within‐population genetic diversity consistent with having experienced genetic bottlenecks in glacial refugia, and host private alleles that probably accumulated in long‐term isolated populations. Demographic analyses support a single, pre‐Weichselian colonization into Norway from East Greenland, and subsequent divergence of the three populations in separate refugia. Other refugial areas are identified in North‐east Greenland, Minnesota/Michigan, Colorado and Alaska. Admixed populations in British Columbia and West Greenland indicate postglacial contact. Taken together, evidence from this study strongly indicates in situ glacial survival in Scandinavia.
Genome‐based estimates of fungal rDNA copy number variation across phylogenetic scales and ecological lifestyles
Authors: Lofgren Lotus A. , Uehling Jessie K. , Branco Sara , Bruns Thomas D. , Martin Francis , Kennedy Peter G.
Published: December 2018

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) copy number variation (CNV) has major physiological implications for all organisms, but how it varies for fungi, an ecologically ubiquitous and important group of microorganisms, has yet to be systemically investigated. Here, we examine rDNA CNV using an in silico read depth approach for 91 fungal taxa with sequenced genomes and assess copy number conservation across phylogenetic scales and ecological lifestyles. rDNA copy number varied considerably across fungi, ranging from an estimated 14 to 1,442 copies (mean = 113, median = 82), and copy number similarity was inversely correlated with phylogenetic distance. No correlations were found between rDNA CNV and fungal trophic mode, ecological guild or genome size. Taken together, these results show that like other microorganisms, fungi exhibit substantial variation in rDNA copy number, which is linked to their phylogeny in a scale‐dependent manner.
Forms and abundance of chaperone proteins influence yeast prion variant competition
Authors: Yu Chang‐I , King Chih‐Yen
Published: December 2018

[PSI+] variants are different infectious conformations of the same Sup35 protein. We show that when [PSI+] variants VK and VL co‐infect a dividing host, only one prevails in the end and the host genetic background is involved in winner selection. In the 5V‐H19 background, the VK variant dominates over the VL variant. The order of dominance is reversed in the 74‐D694 background, where VL can coexists with VK for a short period, but will eventually take over. Differential interaction of chaperone proteins with distinct prion variant conformations can influence the outcome of competition. Expanding the Glycine/Methionine‐rich domain of Sis1, an Hsp40 protein, helps the propagation of VL. Over‐expression of the Hsp70 protein Ssa2 lowers the number of prion particles (propagons) in the cell. There is more reduction for VK than VL, causing the latter to dominate in some of the 5V‐H19 and all of the 74‐D694 cells tested. Consistently, depleting Ssa1 in 74‐D694 strengthens VK. Swapping chromosomal alleles of SSA1/2 and SIS1 between 5V‐H19 and 74‐D694, including cognate promoters, is not sufficient to change the native dominance order of each background, suggesting there exist additional polymorphic factors that modulate [PSI+] competition.
Tricholepis khuzestanica sp. nov. (Asteraceae, Cardueae–Centaureinae) from Iran
Authors: Parishani Mohammad Reza , Negaresh Kazem
Published: December 2018

Tricholepis khuzestanica Parishani (Asteraceae), a new species from Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran is described and illustrated. It differs from its closely allied species T. edmondsonii Rech. f. in having stems almost simple and ascending or arcuate‐ascending, larger, ovate leaves with dentate margins, much larger involucres, phyllaries with a purplish apica spine and longer flowers. The ecology, habitat and conservation status of the new species are also discussed. In addition, the geographic distribution of the new species and closely related species is presented and mapped.
Long‐term Effects of Fiscal Stimulus and Austerity in Europe
Authors: Gechert Sebastian , Horn Gustav , Paetz Christoph
Published: December 2018

We analyze whether there are ne gative (positive) long‐term effects of austerity measures (stimulus measures) on potential output growth. Based on the approach of Blanchard and Leigh () and Fatás and Summers () and using a novel data set of narratively identified fiscal policy shocks, we estimate the impact of these shocks on potential output. We robustly find a considerable underestimation of multiplier effects and their persistence for most European countries in the early years after the financial crisis and subsequent Euro Area crisis. We conclude that fiscal consolidation was badly timed and thus not only deepened the crisis but may have caused evitable hysteresis effects.
Mind the Output Gap: The Disconnect of Growth and Inflation during Recessions and Convex Phillips Curves in the Euro Area
Authors: Gross Marco , Semmler Willi
Published: December 2018

We develop a theoretical model that features a business cycle‐dependent relation between output, price inflation and inflation expectations, augmenting the model by Svensson (1997) with a nonlinear Phillips curve that reflects the rationale underlying the capacity constraint theory (Macklem, 1997). The theoretical model motivates our empirical assessment, based on a regime‐switching Phillips curve and a regime‐switching monetary structural VAR, employing different filter‐based, semi‐structural model‐based and Bayesian factor model‐implied output gaps. The analysis confirms the presence of a convex relationship between inflation and the output gap, meaning that the coefficient in the Phillips curve on the output gap recurringly increases during times of expansion and abates during recessions. Sign‐restricted monetary policy shocks based on a regime‐switching monetary SVAR reveal that expansionary monetary policy induces less pressure on inflation at times of weak as opposed to strong growth; thereby rationalizing relatively stronger expansionary policy, including unconventional volume‐based policy, during times of deep recession. A further augmented model shows that an effective euro exchange rate shock, too, implies business cycle state‐dependent responses, with more upward pressure on prices arising from unexpected currency depreciation at times of expansion than during recession phases.
Periodontal awareness and what it actually means: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Varela‐Centelles Pablo , Diz‐Iglesias Pedro , Estany‐Gestal Ana , Blanco‐Hortas Andrés , Bugarín‐González Rosendo , Seoane‐Romero Juan M. , Blanco Juan
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To assess periodontal awareness among laypersons, to characterize the very aware of periodontitis and to disclose whether high awareness implies sufficient periodontal knowledge.

Subjects and methods

Cross‐sectional study on laypersons randomly selected by quota sampling from March 2015 to June 2016. The questionnaire of periodontal awareness included aspects of aetiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, related risks, prevention, treatment and related attitudes. It was applied by 12 interviewers in the community in each four province capitals, in a sort of pathfinder survey method.

Results

A 43.3% response rate was obtained, and 3,553 people entered the study. “Very aware”: 19.4%. “Aware”: 42.7%. “Not aware”: 37.9%. Age, oral self‐care and educational achievements characterized those “very aware.” Any additional degree beyond compulsory education halves the chances for being “not periodontally aware.” Very aware people likely to have periodontitis were elder, less educated, with a smoking history and less knowledge of the disease. Gaps of knowledge among the “very aware” were identified in all aspects except for “prevention” and “treatment.”.

Conclusions

Very periodontally aware people were in their late 40–60 s, followed sound oral care routines and held a degree but elicited insufficient knowledge about aetiology, signs‐symptoms, related risks or periodontal risk factors.
OsACL‐A2 negatively regulates cell death and disease resistance in rice
Authors: Ruan Banpu , Hua Zhihua , Zhao Juan , Zhang Bin , Ren Deyong , Liu Chaolei , Yang Shenglong , Zhang Anpeng , Jiang Hongzhen , Yu Haiping , Hu Jiang , Zhu Li , Chen Guang , Shen Lan , Dong Guojun , Zhang Guangheng , Zeng Dali , Guo Longbiao , Qian Qian , Gao Zhenyu
Published: December 2018

ATP‐citrate lyases (ACL) play critical roles in tumour cell propagation, foetal development and growth, and histone acetylation in human and animals. Here, we report a novel function of ACL in cell death‐mediated pathogen defence responses in rice. Using ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) mutagenesis and map‐based cloning, we identified an Oryza sativa ACL‐A2 mutant allele, termed spotted leaf 30‐1 (spl30‐1), in which an A‐to‐T transversion converts an Asn at position 343 to a Tyr (N343Y), causing a recessive mutation that led to a lesion mimic phenotype. Compared to wild‐type plants, spl30‐1 significantly reduces ACL enzymatic activity, accumulates high reactive oxygen species and increases degradation rate of nuclear deoxyribonucleic acids. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated insertion/deletion mutation analysis and complementation assay confirmed that the phenotype of spl30‐1 resulted from the defective function of OsACL‐A2 protein. We further biochemically identified that the N343Y mutation caused a significant degradation of SPL30N343Y in a ubiquitin‐26S proteasome system (UPS)‐dependent manner without alteration in transcripts of OsACL‐A2 in spl30‐1. Transcriptome analysis identified a number of up‐regulated genes associated with pathogen defence responses in recessive mutants of OsACL‐A2, implying its role in innate immunity. Suppressor mutant screen suggested that OsSL, which encodes a P450 monooxygenase protein, acted as a downstream key regulator in spl30‐1‐mediated pathogen defence responses. Taken together, our study discovered a novel role of OsACL‐A2 in negatively regulating innate immune responses in rice.
Association of polymorphisms of the β‐defensin 1 gene with nematode and protozoan infection traits in goat
Authors: Maia Flora Suzane Parente , Campelo José Elivalto Guimarães , Sarmento José Lindemberg Rocha , Silva Caio Santos , Marques José Ribamar Felipe , Alves Francisco Arimatéia Santos , Guimarães Rafaelle Casseb , Filho Ednaldo Silva
Published: December 2018

This study's purpose was to identify polymorphisms (SNP) in the goat β‐defensin 1 gene and to associate these SNPs with traits related to nematodean and protozoan infections in Anglo‐Nubian goats from semiarid region of Brazil. A total of 184 animals were used for DNA extraction, PCR and DNA automatic sequencing. The association analyses included the fixed effects of animal age, bloodline and genotype of the SNP marker in the statistical model. The means of genotypes were compared by the Fisher test (P < 0.05). Twelve polymorphism genotypes were found: two in intron 1, seven in exon 2 and three in 3′ untranslated region. The SNPs of exon 2 were responsible for amino acid substitutions in six genetic codes, and the changes in the 25th and 33rd codes affected the protein function. The SNP 1937 was significantly associated with number of protozoan oocysts, whereas SNP 2001 was associated with degree of anaemia (Famacha©). Polymorphism 2046, in turn, showed a significant association with Famacha© degree and number of protozoan oocysts. SNP 2140 associated with maximum EPG of the animal. Results from this study suggest that the β‐defensin 1 gene can be used as a molecular marker for selection of goats regarding the susceptibility to endoparasites infections.
Nursing biocrusts: isolation, cultivation, and fitness test of indigenous cyanobacteria
Authors: Giraldo‐Silva Ana , Nelson Corey , Barger Nichole N. , Garcia‐Pichel Ferran
Published: December 2018

Biological soil crusts (biocrust) are microbial communities that develop at the soil surface of drylands and play an important role in erosion control and fertility. Soil surface disturbance from a broad range of natural and human processes (e.g. fire, livestock grazing, off‐road traffic) cause significant losses in biocrust cover and associated ecosystems services. Hence, biocrust restoration is emerging as an important intervention strategy to rehabilitate degraded dryland soils. In a multistep process, we designed protocols for the establishment of “microbial nurseries” to produce photosynthetic cyanobacterial inoculum for biocrust seeding at scale. We first report on the strategy for isolation, directly from the target site, of a large culture collection of cyanobacteria that included multiple representatives of the five most common biocrust taxa. After genetic pedigreeing of these isolates, we could select those that best matched field populations genetically for scale‐up cultivation. We then developed protocols for effective cyanobacterial biomass production to obtain sufficient inoculum. This was followed by conditioning treatments (hardening off) to preacclimate this inoculum to the stressful conditions expected in the field. Finally, we show that the inoculum obtained was fit to thrive in its original soil under natural outdoor conditions if sufficient water was available. We repeated this process successfully for four sites, two in the hot Chihuanuan desert and two in the cooler Great Basin Desert, and on two textural types of soils in each. The cyanobacterial biocrust nursery approach represents a versatile, viable, and safe tool for the rehabilitation of dryland soils.
Stronger Instruments and Refined Covariate Balance in an Observational Study of the Effectiveness of Prompt Admission to Intensive Care Units
Authors: Keele Luke , Harris Steve , Pimentel Samuel D. , Grieve Richard
Published: December 2018

Instrumental variable methods, subject to appropriate identification assumptions, enable consistent estimation of causal effects in the presence of unobserved confounding. Near–far matching has been proposed as one analytic method to improve inference by strengthening the effect of the instrument on the exposure and balancing observable characteristics between groups of subjects with low and high values of the instrument. However, in settings with hierarchical data (e.g. patients nested within hospitals), or where several covariate interactions must be balanced, conventional near–far matching algorithms may fail to achieve the requisite covariate balance. We develop a new matching algorithm, that combines near–far matching with refined covariate balance, to balance large numbers of nominal covariates while also strengthening the instrumental variable. This extension of near–far matching is motivated by a case-study that aims to identify the causal effect of prompt admission to an intensive care unit on 7-day and 28-day mortality.
Landmark Linear Transformation Model for Dynamic Prediction with Application to A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Chronic Disease
Authors: Zhu Yayuan , Li Liang , Huang Xuelin
Published: December 2018

Dynamic prediction of the risk of a clinical event by using longitudinally measured biomarkers or other prognostic information is important in clinical practice. We propose a new class of landmark survival models. The model takes the form of a linear transformation model but allows all the model parameters to vary with the landmark time. This model includes many published landmark prediction models as special cases. We propose a unified local linear estimation framework to estimate time varying model parameters. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the finite sample performance of the method proposed. We apply the methodology to a data set from the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension and predict individual patients’ risk of an adverse clinical event.
Neogene palaeoceanographic changes recorded in a carbonate contourite drift (Santaren Channel, Bahamas)
Authors: Paulat Marco , Lüdmann Thomas , Betzler Christian , Eberli Gregor P.
Published: December 2018

The Santaren Drift between the Great Bahama Bank and Cay Sal Bank (Bahamas) is closely linked to the development of the Gulf Stream and its shape and geometry record the local to global oceanographic, climatic and tectonic events since the Miocene. High‐resolution multichannel seismic data from the Santaren Channel allow detailed insight into the growth phases of the contourite drift, and by using the stratigraphic information from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1006 to infer its sedimentation rates. The results bring new understanding to this region and to interpretation of carbonate drifts. The data document that the signatures of a bottom current flow in the Santaren Channel initiated about 12·3 Ma, as indicated by the first occurrence of sheeted drifts and moat development at the northern part of the Santaren Channel. Narrowing and steepening of moat flanks as well as the pronounced upslope migration of the moat reflects a sustained current acceleration of the bottom currents until 5·5 Ma, associated with a transformation into mounded elongated drifts. Between 5·5 Ma and 3·1 Ma, bottom current intensity reached its maximum probably caused by the final closure of the Central American Seaway. The last 3·1 Myr were characterized by a marked increase in volume through flow reaching a maximum during the past 900 kyr. Drift growth was driven by the combined sources of export from the shallow‐water carbonate factory and by pelagic rain. The Middle Miocene channel‐related sheeted drift of the inner Santaren Channel is characterized by low accumulation rates, but a rapid increase of accumulation rates occurred during the Early Pliocene. The contourite drift buildup was disturbed by minor erosional phases with narrow moats in the Late Pliocene due to increasing bottom‐current velocities forced by strengthened Atlantic Ocean ventilation. The Early Pleistocene was dominated by increased periplatform sedimentation and margin progradation facilitated by a reduction in along‐slope current flow speed and a concurrent widening and flattening of the moats.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Gibbs Nikki
Published: December 2018

Applied Economics and Finance (AEF) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether AEF publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 1 Andrey Kudryavtsev, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley Academic College, IsraelAyoub Taha Sidahmed, SIU, SudanEyup Kadioglu, Capital Markets Board, TurkeyGetamesay Bekele Meshesha, Debre Berhan University, EthiopiaHe Nie, Jinan University, ChinaHichem Maraghni, University of Taibah, TunisiaIan McFarlane, University of Reading, UKIbrahim Baghdadi, Lebanese University, LebanonMagdalena Radulescu, University of Pitesti, RomaniaMagdalena Zioło, University of Szczecin, PolandMamdouh Abdelmoula M. Abdelsalam, Minufiya University, EgyptMarco MELE, University of Teramo, ItalyMarco Muscettola, Independent Researcher-Credit Risk Manager, ItalyMarta Borda, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandMohammed Al-Mahish, King Faisal University, Saudi ArabiaNuno Crespo, ISCTE-IUL, PortugalOlena Sokolovska, Research Institute of Fiscal Policy, State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, UkrainePatrycja Kowalczyk-Rolczynska, Wroclaw University of Economics, PolandRajeev Rana, APB Govt. P.G. College, InidaRamona Orastean, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, RomaniaRichard Nguyen, Alliant International University, USARomeo Victor Ionescu, Dunarea de Jos University, RomaniaRuhet Genc, Turkish-German University, TurkeySteven V. Cates, Purdue University-Global, USASzabolcs Blazsek, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, GuatemalaVictoria Cociug, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, MoldovaZuzana Janko, San Francisco State University, USA   Nikki GibbsEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Applied Economics and FinanceRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://aef.redfame.com
The Acute Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Serum Cortisol Levels of Athletes and Sedentary Individuals
Authors: Koc Selahattin
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of post-challenge acute values of serum cortisol levels in elite and sedentary athletes before aerobic exercise. This study included 22 elite middle-distance runners from various clubs around Turkey and 16 voluntary non-athlete men. The Cooper test was applied to study subjects. Heart rate values and blood samples of the subjects were taken before and after the Cooper test. The blood samples were analyzed at Central Biochemistry Laboratory of Şahinbey Research and Application Hospital of Gaziantep University. The results showed statistically significant difference between sedentary and athlete groups in comparison of BMI (P<0.05). A statistically significant difference was also found in pre-exercise cortisol and potassium levels and post-exercise lactate and potassium levels between both groups (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was detected between groups in comparison of other blood parameters (P>0.05). Again, no statistically significant difference was found between pre-test and post-test values of pre and post-exercise Cortisol and Potassium levels of both groups (P>0.05).Consequently, cortisol levels were same in both groups and were not affected by exercise. According to these results, it can be said that athletes’ volume of air entering the lungs is higher than those who do not do sports, and the level of their anaerobic respiration is lower.
An Analysis of Teacher Views on the Prestige of Teaching Profession in Turkey
Authors: Durdukoca Şule Firat
Published: December 2018

This study aimed at exploring how teachers consider the prestige of their profession in Turkish society. It was conducted using the phenomenology design, which is a qualitative research method. The study group consisted of 674 teachers who participated in the study on a voluntary basis. Participants were selected using the maximum variation sampling method. Research data was collected through interview method and a semi-structured interview form was used as data collection tool. In line with the aim of the study, content analysis was performed by the researcher and an expert, individually, to analyze the data. At the end of the study, it was found that 82% of the participants stated that teaching is not a prestigious profession in Turkey. The teachers also added that the prestige of the teaching profession in Turkey varies across regions with different socio-economic characteristics, across institutions (public-private) and according to the level of teaching, and recommended that steps should be taken to increase social awareness about the significance of the profession.
Dynamic heart rate response to multi‐day unsupported ultra‐endurance cycle racing: a case report
Authors: Brayson Daniel , Frigiola Alessandra , Clark James E.
Published: December 2018

New Findings

What is the main observation in this case?

Ultra‐endurance cycle racing is known to lead to suppressed heart rates as a product of time spent racing. This case report identifies a racer who experienced this phenomenon initially, but then uniquely experienced an overall increase in heart rate late in the race.

What insight does it reveal?

In this case, unique chronotropic disturbances to heart rate occurred as a result of the many extreme demands of ultra‐endurance racing. Work should now focus on identifying the frequency of this response in other racers and whether the main causes are physiological, environmental or genetic in nature.

Participation in ultra‐endurance cycling events, such as the Transcontinental Race, is increasing. These extremely demanding races provide a unique opportunity for field observation of the limits of human endurance physiology and, importantly, when these limits might be exceeded and cross over into pathology. The heart is of special interest in this field, and previous data suggest that ‘reverse drift’ of heart rate occurs as a product of time and load in races of 24–48 h, whereas transient structural abnormalities have been observed upon completion of running ultramarathons. Here, we report a unique case of a male cyclist racing in the Transcontinental Race over an extended period of 14 days characterized by extreme workloads and a low quantity and quality of sleep. The heart rate response was dynamic over the course of the race and defined by a U‐shaped quadratic relationship. A larger scale study is required to determine the relevance of this information to the ultra‐endurance cycling community.
The whole‐cell Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ current, ICRAC, is regulated by the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter channel and is independent of extracellular and cytosolic Na+
Authors: Samanta Krishna , Bakowski Daniel , Amin Nader , Parekh Anant B.
Published: December 2018

Key points

Ca2+ entry through Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ channels activates numerous cellular responses. Under physiological conditions of weak intracellular Ca2+ buffering, mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake regulates CRAC channel activity.

Knockdown of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter channel prevented the development of ICRAC in weak buffer but not when strong buffer was used instead.

Removal of either extracellular or intra‐pipette Na+ had no effect on the selectivity, kinetics, amplitude, rectification or reversal potential of whole‐cell CRAC current.

Knockdown of the mitochondrial Na+–Ca2+ exchanger did not prevent the development of ICRAC in strong or weak Ca2+ buffer.

Whole cell CRAC current is Ca2+‐selective.

Mitochondrial Ca2+ channels, and not Na+‐dependent transport, regulate CRAC channels under physiological conditions.

Ca2+ entry through store‐operated Ca2+ release‐activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels plays a central role in activation of a range of cellular responses over broad spatial and temporal bandwidths. Mitochondria, through their ability to take up cytosolic Ca2+, are important regulators of CRAC channel activity under physiological conditions of weak intracellular Ca2+ buffering. The mitochondrial Ca2+ transporter(s) that regulates CRAC channels is unclear and could involve the 40 kDa mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) channel or the Na+–Ca2+–Li+ exchanger (NCLX). Here, we have investigated the involvement of these mitochondrial Ca2+ transporters in supporting the CRAC current (ICRAC) under a range of conditions in RBL mast cells. Knockdown of the MCU channel impaired the activation of ICRAC under physiological conditions of weak intracellular Ca2+ buffering. In strong Ca2+ buffer, knockdown of the MCU channel did not inhibit ICRAC development demonstrating that mitochondria regulate CRAC channels under physiological conditions by buffering of cytosolic Ca2+ via the MCU channel. Surprisingly, manipulations that altered extracellular Na+, cytosolic Na+ or both failed to inhibit the development of ICRAC in either strong or weak intracellular Ca2+ buffer. Knockdown of NCLX also did not affect ICRAC. Prolonged removal of external Na+ also had no significant effect on store‐operated Ca2+ entry, on cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations generated by receptor stimulation or on CRAC channel‐driven gene expression. In the RBL mast cell, Ca2+ flux through the MCU but not NCLX is indispensable for activation of ICRAC.
Niche Differentiation among Three Closely RelatedCompetibacteraceaeClades at a Full-Scale Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant and Putative Linkages to Process Performance
Authors: Brand Veronica R. , Crosby Laurel D. , Criddle Craig S.
Published: December 2018

Members of the Competibacter lineage are relevant in biotechnology as glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs). Here, we document the presence of threeCompetibacteraceaeclades in a full-scale activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and their linkage to specific operational conditions. We find evidence for niche differentiation among the three clades with temporal variability in clade dominance that correlates with operational changes at the treatment plant. Specifically, we observe episodic dominance of a likely motile clade during periods of elevated effluent turbidity, as well as episodic dominance of closely related nonmotile clades that likely enhance floc formation during periods of low effluent turbidity.
pH-Dependent Relationship between Catalytic Activity and Hydrogen Peroxide Production Shown via Characterization of a Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase from
Gloeophyllum trabeum
Authors: Hegnar Olav A. , Petrovic Dejan M. , Bissaro Bastien , Alfredsen Gry , Várnai Anikó , Eijsink Vincent G. H.
Published: December 2018

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases promote enzymatic depolymerization of lignocellulosic materials by microorganisms due to their ability to oxidatively cleave recalcitrant polysaccharides. The properties of these copper-dependent enzymes are currently of high scientific and industrial interest. We describe a previously uncharacterized fungal LPMO and show how reductants, which are needed to prime the LPMO by reducing Cu(II) to Cu(I) and to supply electrons during catalysis, affect enzyme efficiency and stability. The results support claims that H
2
O
2
is a natural cosubstrate for LPMOs by demonstrating that when certain reductants are used, catalysis can be driven only by H
2
O
2
and not by O
2
. Furthermore, we show how auto-inactivation resulting from endogenous generation of H
2
O
2
in the LPMO-reductant system may be prevented. Finally, we identified a reductant that leads to enzyme activation without any endogenous H
2
O
2
generation, allowing for improved control of LPMO reactivity and providing a valuable tool for future LPMO research.
Sublingual Adjuvant Delivery by a Live Attenuated Vibrio cholerae-Based Antigen Presentation Platform
Authors: Liao Julie , Gibson Jacob A. , Pickering Bradley S. , Watnick Paula I.
Published: December 2018

Diarrheal disease is the most common infectious disease of children in the developing world. Our goal is to develop a diarrheal antigen presentation platform based on whole
Vibrio cholerae
cells that does not depend on protein purification. We have previously shown the feasibility of genetically fusing antigens to the
V. cholerae
biofilm matrix protein RbmA for presentation on the cell surface. A mucosal adjuvant could improve immunogenicity of such a vaccine at the mucosal surface. Here we engineer a live attenuated
V. cholerae
vaccine to constitutively synthesize mmCT, a nontoxic form of cholera toxin. When this vaccine is delivered sublingually,
in vivo
-synthesized mmCT acts as both an adjuvant and antigen. This could greatly increase the magnitude and duration of the immune response elicited by codelivered heterologous antigens.
Efficient Nonviral Transfection of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Shown Using Placental Growth Factor Overexpression
Authors: Cheung Winston Y. , Hovey Owen , Gobin Jonathan M. , Muradia Gauri , Mehic Jelica , Westwood Carole , Lavoie Jessie R.
Published: December 2018

Background. Human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hMSCs) hold great therapeutic potential due to their immunomodulatory and tissue regenerative properties. Enhancement of biological features of hMSCs by transfection has become a focus of investigation for cell- and gene-based therapies. However, many of the current transient transfection methods result in either low transfection efficiency or high cytotoxicity. Methods. In order to find a transfection method that would address the current issues of low transfection efficiency and high cytotoxicity, 6 commercially available cationic lipid and polymer reagents were tested on human bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs) using GFP as a reporter gene. One transfection method using TransIT-2020 was selected and tested with an emphasis on cell quality (viability, identity, and yield), as well as efficacy with a human placental growth factor (PlGF) plasmid. Results. TransIT-2020 yielded the highest fluorescence signal per cell out of the methods that did not decrease cell recovery. Transfecting GFP to 5 hBM-MSC donors using TransIT-2020 yielded 24–36% GFP-expressing cells with a viability of 85–96%. hBM-MSC identity was unaffected as CD90, CD105, and CD73 markers were retained (>95%+) after transfection. When this method was applied to PlGF expression, there was up to a 220-fold increase in secretion. Both growth and secretion of PlGF in overexpressing hBM-MSC were sustained over 7 days, confirming the sustainability and applicability of the TransIT-2020 transfection system. Discussion. We report a simple and efficient method for transient transfection that has not been reported for hBM-MSCs, encompassing high levels of plasmid expression without significant changes to fundamental hBM-MSC characteristics.
Research on Deformation Mechanism of Retracement Channel during Fully Mechanized Caving Mining in Superhigh Seam
Authors: Fei Liu , Jiang Zhongxi
Published: December 2018

The multichannel retracement in the auxiliary laneway has become one of the key technologies in the high‐yield and high‐efficiency production of large and extra‐large coal mines in western China. For the successful application of this technology, the control of retracement channel deformation is decisive. This paper takes the support of the retracement channel in full‐mechanized caving working surface of Mentai Buliangou Coal Mine as the engineering background. In view of the occurrence characteristics of thin bedrock, thick unconsolidated layer and superhigh seam, theoretical analysis, numerical calculation, and field industrial test are adopted. The deformation rules and stress distribution characteristics of the surrounding rock as well as the changes of the support structure in the retracement channel during the end mining on the full‐mechanized caving working surface are systematically studied, and the deformation and failure mechanism of the surrounding rock is revealed. The field measurement shows that the adoption of optimal design scheme can effectively control the deformation of the surrounding rock in the retracement channel during the end mining period and consequently address the problem of rapid moving of the working surface, which is significant for engineering practices.
Decolonization ofStaphylococcus aureusin Healthcare: A Dermatology Perspective
Authors: Kuraitis Drew , Williams Laura
Published: December 2018

The bacteriumStaphylococcus aureusis responsible for significant morbidity, mortality, and financial burden in healthcare. It easily colonizes susceptible patients and can cause recurrent infections, especially in populations at risk. In addition to treating sequelae of infections, there is a growing body of literature aimed at decolonizing susceptible patients in order to prevent infection and also to prevent spread. Such strategies are widely employed in surgical, intensive care, and hospitalist fields.Staphylococcus aureusinvolvement has been implicated in the pathogenesis and persistence of many dermatologic diseases that are treated in the outpatient setting. This review serves to summarize current evidence for the management ofStaphylococcus aureuscolonized patients, as well as the evidence available for decolonization. We further characterize the role that colonization may play in atopic dermatitis, recurrent infections, hand eczema, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and also in surgical infections after Mohs surgery.
Precipitable Water Vapor Retrieval and Analysis by Multiple Data Sources: Ground-Based GNSS, Radio Occultation, Radiosonde, Microwave Satellite, and NWP Reanalysis Data
Authors: Zhang Qin , Ye Junhua , Zhang Shuangcheng , Han Fei
Published: December 2018

Precipitable water vapor (PWV) content detection is vital to heavy rain prediction; up to now, lots of different measuring methods and devices are developed to observe PWV. In general, these methods can be divided into two categories, ground-based or space-based. In this study, we analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies, compare retrieved atmosphere parameters by different RO (radio occultation) observations, like FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (Formosa Satellite-3 and Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) and FY3C (China Feng Yun 3C), and assess retrieved PWV precision with a radiosonde. Besides, we interpolate PWV from NWP (numerical weather prediction) reanalysis data for more comparison and analysis with RO. Specifically, ground-based GNSS is of high precision and continuous availability to monitor PWV distribution; in our paper, we show cases to validate and compare GNSS retrieving PWV with a radiosonde. Except GNSS PWV, we give two different radio occultation sounding results, COSMIC and FY3C, to validate the precision to monitor PWV from space in a global area. FY3C results containing Beidou (China Beidou Global Satellite Navigation System) radio occultation events need to be emphasized. So, in our study, we get the retrieved atmospheric profiles from GPS and Beidou radio occultation observations and derive atmosphere PWV by a variational retrieval method based on these data over a global area. Besides, other space-based methods, such as microwave satellite, are also useful in detecting PWV distribution situations in a global area from space; in this study, we present a case of retrieved PWV using microwave satellite observation. NWP reanalysis data ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) ERA-Interim and the new-generation reanalysis data ERA5 provide global grid atmosphere parameters, like surface temperature, different-level pressures, and precipitable water. We show cases of retrieved PWV and validate the precision with radiosonde results and compare new reanalysis dataset ERA5 with ERA-Interim, finding that ERA5 can get higher precision-retrieved atmosphere parameters and PWV. In the end, from our comparison, we find that the retrieved PWV from RO (FY3C and COSMIC) and ECMWF reanalysis data (ERA-Interim and ERA5) have a high positive correlation and that almost all R2 values exceed 0.9, compare retrieved PWV with a radiosonde, and find that whether it is RO and ECMWF reanalysis data, ground-based GNSS, or microwave satellite, they all show small biases.
Predicting Microbursts in the Northeastern U.S. Using Lightning Flash Rates and Simple Radar Parameters
Authors: Jessup Stephen M. , Burke Amanda L.
Published: December 2018

Convective storms that produce microburst winds are difficult to predict because the strong surface winds arise in a short time period. Previous research suggests that timing and patterns in cloud height, echo top height, vertical integrated liquid (VIL), intracloud (IC) lightning, and cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning may identify and predict microbursts. Eleven quasi-cellular microburst cases and eight non-microburst severe wind cases were identified from New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey between 2012 and 2016. Total lightning data (IC + CG) were obtained from Vaisala’s National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), and radar parameters were obtained from the Thunderstorm Identification Tracking Analysis and Nowcasting (TITAN) software. Values of VIL, echo top height, and cloud height were tracked through time along with total lightning strikes within a 15 km radius of the storm center. These parameters were plotted with respect to their mean and standard deviation for the 45 minutes leading up to event occurrence. Six of eleven cases featured peaks in total and IC lightning within 25 minutes prior to the microburst. These were the only variables among those examined to peak more than half the time for either the microburst cases or the null cases. The results suggest that microbursts behave somewhat differently than severe wind events, particularly in terms of lightning and VIL timing. The results dispute previous research that suggests that microbursts are highly predictable by the behavior of lightning and radar parameters.