bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SNHG16/miR‐485‐5p/BMP7 axis modulates osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Asila Ailijiang , Yang Xinjun , Kaisaer Yilipan , Ma Lei
Published: November 2020

Background

Osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) is crucial for bone formation and its dysfunction is reported to be linked to osteoporosis (OP). The present study aimed to probe the function of the long non‐coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) with respect to modulating the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs.

Methods

SNHG16 expression in hBMSCs obtained from OP patients was measured by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function models of SNHG16 were established with hBMSCs. The expression of OP‐related genes (ALP, OCN and OPN) in hBMSCs was determined by qRT‐PCR and western blotting. StarBase, TargetScan7.2, miRDB and PicTar databases were used to predict the binding sites between SNHG16 and miR‐485‐5p, miR‐485‐5p and 3'‐UTR of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), respectively. A dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the regulatory relationships between SNHG16 and miR‐485‐5p, miR‐485‐5p and 3'‐UTR of BMP7, respectively.

Results

SNHG16 was remarkably down‐regulated in hBMSCs obtained from patients with OP. Overexpression of SNHG16 promoted the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, whereas knockdown of SNHG16 suppressed it. Mechanistically, miR‐485‐5p is a target of SNHG16, and miR‐485‐5p can reverse the function of SNHG16. BMP7 is also identified as a target of miR‐485‐5p and can be indirectly modulated by SNHG16 in hBMSCs.

Conclusions

SNHG16 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs via regulating the miR‐485‐5p/BMP7 axis and comprises a prospective therapy target for OP.
Isomerization of trans‐3‐methylglutaconic acid
Authors: Jones Dylan E. , Ricker J. David , Geary Laina M. , Kosma Dylan K. , Ryan Robert O.
Published: November 2020

3‐Methylglutaconic (3MGC) aciduria is a common phenotypic feature of a growing number of inborn errors of metabolism. “Primary” 3MGC aciduria is caused by deficiencies in leucine pathway enzymes while “secondary” 3MGC aciduria results from inborn errors of metabolism that impact mitochondrial energy production. The metabolic precursor of 3MGC acid is trans‐3MGC CoA, an intermediate in the leucine catabolism pathway. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis of commercially available trans‐3MGC acid yielded a mixture of cis and trans isomers while 1H‐NMR spectroscopy of trans‐3MGC acid at 25°C provided no evidence for the cis isomer. When trans‐3MGC acid was incubated under conditions used for sample derivatization prior to GC‐MS (but with no trimethylsilane added), 1H‐NMR spectroscopy provided evidence of trans to cis isomerization. Incubation of trans‐3MGC acid at 37°C resulted in time‐dependent isomerization to cis‐3MGC acid. Cis‐3MGC acid behaved in a similar manner except that, under identical incubation conditions, less isomerization occurred. In agreement with these experimental results, molecular modeling studies provided evidence that the energy minimized structure of cis‐3MGC acid is 4 kJ/mol more stable than that for trans‐3MGC acid. Once generated in vivo, trans‐3MGC acid is proposed to isomerize via a mechanism involving π electron delocalization with formation of a resonance structure that permits bond rotation. The data presented are consistent with the occurrence of both diastereomers in urine samples of subjects with 3MGC aciduria.
Whole‐Slab 3D MR Spectroscopic Imaging of the Human Brain With Spiral‐Out‐In Sampling at 7T
Authors: Esmaeili Morteza , Strasser Bernhard , Bogner Wolfgang , Moser Philipp , Wang Zhe , Andronesi Ovidiu C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Metabolic imaging using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) has increased the sensitivity and spectral resolution at field strengths of ≥7T. Compared to the conventional Cartesian‐based spectroscopic imaging, spiral trajectories enable faster data collection, promising the clinical translation of whole‐brain MRSI. Technical considerations at 7T, however, lead to a suboptimal sampling efficiency for the spiral‐out (SO) acquisitions, as a significant portion of the trajectory consists of rewinders.

Purpose

To develop and implement a spiral‐out‐in (SOI) trajectory for sampling of whole‐brain MRSI at 7T. We hypothesized that SOI will improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of metabolite maps due to a more efficient acquisition.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects/Phantom

Five healthy volunteers (28–38 years, three females) and a phantom.

Field Strength/Sequence

Navigated adiabatic spin‐echo spiral 3D MRSI at 7T.

Assessment

A 3D stack of SOI trajectories was incorporated into an adiabatic spin‐echo MRSI sequence with real‐time motion and shim correction. Metabolite spectral fitting, SNR, and Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB) were obtained. We compared the signal intensity and CRLB of three metabolites of tNAA, tCr, and tCho. Peak SNR (PSNR), structure similarity index (SSIM), and signal‐to‐artifact ratio were evaluated on water maps.

Statistical Tests

The nonparametric Mann–Whitney U‐test was used for statistical testing.

Results

Compared to SO, the SOI trajectory: 1) increased the k‐space sampling efficiency by 23%; 2) is less demanding for the gradient hardware, requiring 36% lower Gmax and 26% lower Smax; 3) increased PSNR of water maps by 4.94 dB (P = 0.0006); 4) resulted in a 29% higher SNR (P = 0.003) and lower CRLB by 26–35% (P = 0.02, tNAA), 35–55% (P = 0.03, tCr), and 22–23% (P = 0.04, tCho), which increased the number of well‐fitted voxels (eg, for tCr by 11%, P = 0.03). SOI did not significantly change the signal‐to‐artifact ratio and SSIM (P = 0.65) compared to SO.

Data Conclusion

SOI provided more efficient MRSI at 7T compared to SO, which improved the data quality and metabolite quantification.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Think tank—From the liberated to a liberating company: The cruciality of managerial transformation
Authors: Lacan Arnaud
Published: November 2020

The liberated company—a company where employees are fully autonomous and accountable for the decisions they take—is a concept about which much has been said and written. Some observers portray it as a major managerial innovation and even as a fully‐fledged organizational model for the future. Yet, despite constituting an interesting attempt to address issues related to the changing values and expectations of employees at work, the concept seems more cosmetic than something that will have a significant managerial effect. A clearly better approach is to ask what role managers should adopt, rather than fomenting the idea that the need for management is on the cusp of disappearing altogether. Adopting a more anthropological vision of the company, we suggest instead that a conceptual revision informed by a postmodern reading of this issue, suggests a new way of rethinking managerial attitudes. The main idea here being to no longer try and liberate companies, but instead to lay the foundations so that they themselves become liberating.
N‐acetylcysteine use as an adjuvant to bone cement to fight periprosthetic joint infections: A preliminary in vitro efficacy and biocompatibility study
Authors: Sukhonthamarn Kamolsak , Cho Jeongeun , Chisari Emanuele , Goswami Karan , Arnold William V. , Parvizi Javad
Published: November 2020

When antibiotic laden bone cement is used to manage periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), failure still occurs with its use in up to 30% of cases. Therefore, we designed an in vitro study to assess the bactericidal effect of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), an antibacterial adjuvant, in cement against planktonic and biofilm forms of common PJI pathogens. NAC (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% w/v) added to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and incubated in broth at 36°C. PMMA‐alone and/or culture bacteria alone were used as a negative control. Aliquots of cement elution from each group were taken at 1 day and 1 week and then were investigated for antimicrobial efficacy against the planktonic‐form and the biofilm‐form of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The primary outcome was the residual colony‐forming unit count. The cytotoxicity and mechanical properties of the NAC–PMMA cement‐blocks were also assessed. NAC–PMMA efficacy against the planktonic bacteria was demonstrated at a minimum of 30% at Day 1 and a minimum of 20% at 1 week after (p < .001). NAC–PMMA cement was effective against biofilm at a minimum of 30% of NAC at 1 day and 1 week of cement immersion (p < .001). The PMMA alone group was identified as having the highest cytotoxicity (p < .001). NAC decreased the stiffness (p = .004) and maximum load breaking point of the cement (p = .029). NAC is an effective and biocompatible adjuvant to PMMA in terms of antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The broad antibacterial spectrum of NAC, its low expense, and minimal cytotoxicity makes it an ideal agent for addition to PMMA cement.
Noninvasive diagnostic of periprosthetic joint infection by urinary peptide markers: A preliminary study
Authors: Omar Mohamed , Windhagen Henning , Krettek Christian , Ettinger Max
Published: November 2020

Previous immunohistochemical analyses revealed altered protein expression in the periprosthetic membranes of patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Proteins are degraded to peptides that may pass the blood–kidney barrier depending on their size. The aim of this study was to evaluate if PJI can be diagnosed based on the urinary peptide excretion pattern. Thirty patients undergoing removal of their hip or knee prostheses due to septic or aseptic loosening were enrolled. Specimen sampling was performed according to the MusculoSkeletal Infection Society criteria. A urinary sample was analyzed before surgery using capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. Peptides with differential urinary excretion between groups were used to establish a multimarker model. A total of 137 peptides were differentially excreted between the septic and aseptic groups. The majority of identified peptide markers were fragments of structural extracellular matrix proteins, potentially due to their origin from the periprosthetic membrane. A marker model with 83 peptides achieved the best diagnostic performance for diagnosing PJI with a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 90%, and an area under the curve of 0.96. The altered protein expression pattern in the periprosthetic membrane of PJI is most likely reflected in excreted urinary peptides. Thus, the diagnosis of PJI by urinary peptide markers seems to be a reasonable approach.
A mechanistic review: potential chronic disease‐preventive properties of sorghum
Authors: Amarakoon Darshika , Lou Zhiyuan , Lee Wu‐Joo , Smolensky Dmitriy , Lee Seong‐Ho
Published: November 2020

Sorghum is one of the most widely cultivated crops, and is used in foods, domestic animal feedstuffs, alcohol production, and biofuels. Recently, many research groups have demonstrated that sorghum contains various components that are strongly associated with the prevention of major human chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cancer, and inflammation. However, to use sorghum more widely as a food for the potential prevention and treatment of human chronic diseases, more studies will be required to elucidate the biological mechanisms. In this review paper, we highlight multiple findings to propose a mechanistic link between sorghum consumption and reduced risk of chronic diseases. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Ridge–furrow with grass straw mulching farming system to boost rainfed wheat productivity and water use efficiency in semiarid Kenya
Authors: Wang Jian‐Yong , Mo Fei , Zhou Hong , Kavagi Levis , Nguluu Simon N , Xiong You‐Cai
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Ridge–furrow mulching farming systems (RFMs) aim to increase field productivity and improve water use efficiency. To explore environment‐friendly and efficient farming systems is a central aspect of rainfed wheat field management in Kenya where rainfall utilization is at a low level. We introduced RFMs (including plastic film and grass straw mulching) to semiarid Kenya to evaluate the effects on field productivity, rainwater utilization, soil quality and economic profitability using old and modern wheat cultivars from 2012 to 2013.

RESULTS

Across the cultivars, the RFMs increased grain yield, aboveground biomass and water use efficiency by 74–163%, 36–104% and 89–273%, respectively, compared with conventional flat planting (control). RFMs significantly shortened the vegetative period while prolonging the reproductive period. The net economic output under RFMs was 74–165% higher than that of the control. Grass straw mulching achieved the highest economic output to input ratio, almost 45% higher than plastic film mulching, despite the former harvested only 82% of the maximum field productivity of the latter. Compared with the control, grass straw mulching promoted the contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and C:N ratio by 14%, 8% and 5%, respectively, while obviously decreased values of these parameters were observed under plastic mulching.

CONCLUSIONS

Through reducing soil water loss, and improving rainwater use efficiency and soil quality, ridge–furrow grass straw mulching would be a sustainable option for boosting field productivity and thus ensuring local food security in rainfed agricultural areas of Kenya. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Antihypertensive effect of rapeseed peptides and their potential in improving the effectiveness of captopril
Authors: Wang Yucheng , Li Yunliang , Ruan Siyu , Lu Feng , Tian Wanmin , Ma Haile
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and antihypertensive activity of rapeseed peptides and to investigate their potential synergy with captopril.

RESULTS

The peptides were nontoxic with the maximum tolerated dose exceeding 25 g kg−1 BW d−1 for mice and they had angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 1.27 mg mL−1. Rapeseed peptides did not have a synergistic effect with captopril on inhibiting ACE activity in simulated digestion tests in vitro. But in vivo they could synergistically augment the amplitude range of lowering blood pressure with captopril by approximately 9% and prolong the antihypertensive effect duration time by over 20% in antihypertension tests of spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition, the inhibiting effect of rapeseed peptides on ACE activity was noticeable in some rat organs in vivo. Nevertheless, when compared to captopril group, the potential synergy of rapeseed peptides with captopril did not cause a further decrease in ACE activity in the organs but their synergy further improved levels of NO (12.7%) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (74.1%) in rat serum. Further studies of some peptides identified from rapeseed peptides showed that some of the rapeseed peptides (Cys‐Leu, Val‐Ala‐Pro) could markedly increase contents of NO and endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapeseed peptides have antihypertensive activity and they showed potential synergy with captopril in antihypertensive performance in vivo. The synergy was not from ACE inhibition but from other pathways, like improvement in endogenous vasodilator contents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Recent Advances in Organic Whispering‐Gallery Mode Lasers
Authors: Wei Guo‐Qing , Wang Xue‐Dong , Liao Liang‐Sheng
Published: November 2020

Organic whispering‐gallery mode lasers (OWGMLs), taking the advantages of organic materials and whispering‐gallery mode (WGM) cavity, have undergone tremendous development with extensive application prospects in advanced optical fields. OWGMLs can be achieved via various strategies, typically including dope organic gain materials into WGM cavities, such as droplets, self‐assembled microcavities, and metal–organic frameworks, and utilize the self‐assembled amorphous or single‐crystalline structures of organic materials to serve simultaneously as the WGM cavity and the laser gain medium. The weak intermolecular interaction and abundant excited‐state radiative decay process of organic materials enable OWGMLs to be functionalized toward desired performance and novel applications. Here, the fundamentals related to OWGMLs as well as the advances in the strategies to realizing and functionalizing OWGMLs are introduced and reviewed. The challenges remained are discussed with perspectives and outlook provided for the future development in this exciting field.
Uniqueness of generalized solution to micropolar viscous real gas flow with homogeneous boundary conditions
Authors: Bašić‐Šiško Angela , Dražić Ivan
Published: November 2020

We study a one‐dimensional model of viscous and heat‐conducting micropolar real gas flow through the channel with solid and thermally insulated walls, whereby the generalized equation of state for the pressure is considered. The governing system of partial differential equations for mass density, velocity, microrotational velocity, and absolute temperature is set up in Lagrangian coordinates. In this paper, we show that if there exists a generalized solution to our problem, then it is unique.
Step Away from Depression—Study protocol for a multicenter randomized clinical trial for a pedometer intervention during and after in‐patient treatment of depression
Authors: Große Julia , Petzold Moritz Bruno , Brand Ralf , Ströhle Andreas
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Increasing the number of daily steps by using a pedometer and a diary leads to an activity increase and improved health outcomes in a variety of somatic disorders. Hence, for the inpatient treatment of depression, supervised exercise interventions are more widespread. We aim to examine if a self‐managed pedometer intervention (PI) with the option of being proceeded after discharge leads to reduction of depression and to a physical activity (PA) increase.

Methods

The Step Away from Depression (SAD) study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial targeting 400 patients with major depressive disorder. Treatment as usual (TAU) is compared to TAU plus PI after 4 weeks, at discharge, and 6 months after hospital admission. Primary outcomes are clinically rated depression severity and accelerometer‐measured step counts. Secondary outcomes include self‐reported depression symptoms and PA level, psychiatric symptoms, health‐related quality of life, self‐efficacy, and components of the Motivation Volition Process Model.

Results

We report the design of the SAD study considering several methodological aspects for exercise studies, in general.

Conclusions

Results of our study will provide information about efficacy of PI for inpatient treatment and about interrelating processes of change concerning depression, PA, and aspects of motivation and volition.
Nonlethal Fin Sampling of North American Freshwater Fishes for Food Web Studies Using Stable Isotopes
Authors: Maitland Bryan M. , Rahel Frank J.
Published: November 2020

Food web investigations using stable isotope analyses inform management strategies by quantitatively describing interactions among species. Fin tissue is a nonlethal alternative to white muscle tissue for obtaining stable isotope ratios of fish. However, the relationship between fin and muscle values must be evaluated before fin tissue can be substituted for muscle tissue. We examined the relationships between fin and muscle carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios in 15 species of North American freshwater fish using linear regression for multispecies models and species-specific models, and compared the performance of our models against models developed for European and Australian freshwater fishes. Fin and muscle isotope ratios differed but covaried with good explanatory power ( R2δ13C = 0.74–0.99; R2δ15N= 0.45–0.99). Useful conversions of fin isotope values were provided by our species-specific models (δ13Cerror = 0.27‰; δ15Nerror = 0.22‰), and to a lesser extent our multispecies models (δ13Cerror = 0.51‰; δ15Nerror = 0.35‰) and the European models (δ13Cerror = 0.57‰; δ15Nerror = 0.42‰). Models developed for Australian fishes gave less precise conversions when applied to North American freshwater species (δ13Cerror = 0.78‰; δ15Nerror = 0.82‰). We recommend using species-specific conversion models when available, but in their absence, multispecies models may be adequate. Our study contributes to a growing literature seeking fin–muscle conversion models, which should serve to reduce the lethal take of individuals.
Barycentric rational method for solving biharmonic equation by depression of order
Authors: Li Jin , Cheng Yongling
Published: November 2020

Two‐dimensional biharmonic boundary‐value problems are considered by the linear barycentric rational method, the unknown function was approximated by the barycentric rational function. For the biharmonic equation, we change the biharmonic equation into the two Poisson equations by depression of order. The linear equations of discrete the biharmonic equation was changed into matrix form. For the basis of barycentric rational function, we present the convergence rate of linear barycentric rational method for biharmonic equation by depression of order. At last, several numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical analysis.
2020 Innovation-Based Optimism for Lung Cancer Outcomes
Authors: Schenk Erin L. , Patil Tejas , Pacheco Jose , Bunn Paul A.
Published: November 2020

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both males and females in the U.S. and worldwide. Owing to advances in prevention, screening/early detection, and therapy, lung cancer mortality rates are decreasing and survival rates are increasing. These innovations are based on scientific discoveries in imaging, diagnostics, genomics, molecular therapy, and immunotherapy. Outcomes have improved in all histologies and stages. This review provides information on the clinical implications of these innovations that are practical for the practicing physicians, especially oncologists of all specialities who diagnose and treat patients with lung cancer.

Implications for Practice

Lung cancer survival rates have improved because of new prevention, screening, and therapy methods. This work provides a review of current standards for each of these areas, including targeted and immunotherapies. Treatment recommendations are provided for all stages of lung cancer.
High Melting Point of Linear, Spiral Polyethylene Nanofibers and Polyethylene Microspheres Obtained Through Confined Polymerization by a PPM‐Supported Ziegler‐Natta Catalyst
Authors: Xiao Yu , Dai Xiying , Wang Kui , Zhou Guangyuan
Published: November 2020

In this work, different types of polyethylene (linear, spiral nanofibers and microspheres) were obtained via confined polymerization by a PPM‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalyst. Firstly, the Ziegler‐Natta catalyst was chemical bonded inside the porous polymer microspheres (PPMs) supports with different pore diameter and supports size through chemical reaction. Then slightly and highly confined polymerization occurred in the PPM‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalysts. SEM results illustrated that the slightly confined polymerization was easy to obtain linear and spiral nanofibers, and the nanofibers were observed in polyethylene catalyzed by PPMs‐1#/cat and PPMs‐2#/cat with low pore diameter (about 23 nm). Furthermore, the highly confined polymerization produced polyethylene microspheres, which obtained through other PPM‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalysts with high pore diameter. In addition, high second melting point (Tm2: up to 143.3 °C) is a unique property of the polyethylene obtained by the PPM‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalyst after removing the residue through physical treatment. The high Tm2 was ascribed to low surface free energy (σe), which was owing to the entanglement of polyethylene polymerized in the PPMs supports with interconnected multi‐modal pore structure.
Suppression of malignant rhabdoid tumors through Chb‐M′‐mediated RUNX1 inhibition
Authors: Daifu Tomoo , Mikami Masamitsu , Hiramatsu Hidefumi , Iwai Atsushi , Umeda Katsutsugu , Noura Mina , Kubota Hirohito , Masuda Tatsuya , Furuichi Kana , Takasaki Saho , Noguchi Yuki , Morita Ken , Bando Toshikazu , Hirata Masahiro , Kataoka Tatsuki R. , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Kuwahara Yasumichi , Iehara Tomoko , Hosoi Hajime , Takita Junko , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Adachi Souichi , Kamikubo Yasuhiko
Published: November 2020

Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a rare and highly aggressive pediatric malignancy primarily affecting infants and young children. Intensive multimodal therapies currently given to MRT patients are not sufficiently potent to control this highly malignant tumor. Therefore, additive or alternative therapy for these patients with a poor prognosis is necessary. We herein demonstrated that the inhibition of runt‐related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) by novel alkylating conjugated pyrrole‐imidazole (PI) polyamides, which specifically recognize and bind to RUNX‐binding DNA sequences, was highly effective in the treatment of rhabdoid tumor cell lines in vitro as well as in an in vivo mouse model. Therefore, suppression of RUNX1 activity may be a novel strategy for MRT therapy.
Cooperative fault‐tolerant control for heterogeneous nonlinear multiagent systems via distributed output regulation
Authors: Zhang Jie , Ding Da‐Wei , Sun Xinmiao , Wang Youyi
Published: November 2020

This article studies the cooperative fault‐tolerant control (FTC) problem of leader‐follower multiagent systems with process faults and heterogeneous Lipschitz nonlinearity via output regulation theory. The control objective is to convert the FTC problem into a cooperative output regulation problem such that all followers can track the leader regardless of process faults. Under directed communication topology, distributed observers are first designed to estimate the states and faults of all followers. Specially, the leader in this article is described by a more general nonlinear dynamics. Since only parts of followers can directly obtain the information of nonlinear leader, an adaptive distributed observer is introduced to estimate the state of the leader as feedforward information. By utilizing these estimations, a new distributed FTC protocol is constructed based upon the solutions of nonlinear regulator equation and algebraic Riccati equation. Finally, a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the obtained theoretic results.
Long‐term effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on soil aggregate stability and aggregate‐associated carbon and nitrogen in the North China Plain
Authors: Zhang Huayan , Niu Ling'an , Hu Kelin , Hao Jinmin , Li Fan , Wang Xiang , Chen Hong
Published: November 2020

Soil aggregates and carbon storage are important in soil conservation, nutrient supply, and climate change mitigation. The long‐term responses of aggregate‐associated organic C (OC) and nitrogen (N) in surface versus subsoil to N and P fertilization remain unclear. We examined the effects of different N and P fertilization rates on aggregate stability and the associated soil OC (SOC) and N in the North China Plain through a 35‐yr double‐crop field experiment, hypothesizing that higher rates of mineral fertilizer would promote aggregate stability and increase C/N ratios in large macroaggregates. The OC and N were highest in the silt + clay fraction, accounting for 34 to 48% of bulk SOC and 28 to 47% of bulk soil N at 0 to 20 cm, and 38 to 62% of bulk SOC and 40 to 62% of bulk soil N at 20 to 40 cm. After 35 yr, N + P fertilization increased SOC (16–35%) and N (21–27%), especially the 540 kg N + 67.5 kg P treatment; the N + P fertilizer also increased the OC and N of the macroaggregate, microaggregate, and silt + clay fractions at 0 to 20 cm. The N + P fertilizer treatments increased bulk soil C/N ratios; the C/N ratios of large macroaggregates decreased. Nitrogen and P fertilizer did not affect aggregate stability. Long‐term N and P fertilization increased SOC concentrations, and altered OC and N distributions in aggregates. Quantifying the impacts of long‐term fertilization strategies on organic matter sequestration and soil stabilization is important.
On the origin of technological acquisition strategy: The interaction between organizational plasticity and environmental munificence
Authors: Rios Luis A.
Published: November 2020

Research Summary

Why do some firms routinely acquire more than others? I contribute to the study of technological acquisitions and capability development more broadly by documenting how the interaction betweenorganizational plasticityand environmental munificence can create one demarcation point for some technology firms to become more acquisitive than others. Using a novel dataset on 1,201 firms that went public between 1983 and 2007, I find evidence of a persistent divergence even 20 years after initial public offering (IPO). Additional tests rule out alternative explanations and explore potential mechanisms.

Managerial Summary

There has been much evidence to suggest that mature innovative firms tend to have a preferred mode for accessing new technology: either by making it internally or buying it from other firms. However, we do not know very well how firms develop these preferences. This article investigates how financial market conditions affect young firms around the time of going public, and shows that recently IPO'd firms that experience depressed M&A markets go on to rely less on acquisitions when they mature. Conversely, these firms seem to develop more technologies in‐house. These findings suggest that some early events in a firm's life may have long‐lasting consequences, which may be difficult to change later.
Tuning Electronic Structure of 2D In2S3 via P Doping and Size Controlling Toward Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Xiong Yuli , Yang Lin , Zhu Yan , Lai Qingxin , Li Ping , Xiao Peng , Cao Guozhong
Published: November 2020

Two‐dimensional (2D) lamellar materials possess the advantages of strong light–matter interactions and tunable band structure, rendering possible high conversion efficiency of solar to fuel. Herein, the controlled fabrication of small‐sized P doped 2D In2S3 arrays (P‐In2S3) via preseeding method is demonstrated, which is a feasible approach to regulate the bandgap and attain large specific surface area with more active sites. A fraction of S sites is substituted by P atoms to form InP bonds, the substitutional doping introduces a hybridized state near the valance band of In2S3 through the integration of P 3s, P 3p, and S 3p orbitals. By P doping, the electronic structure is tuned, the charge recombination is suppressed, and the surface reaction kinetics are improved, addressing all three major problems at once for water oxidation. With the synergistic effect of size and impurity states, more than fivefold enhancement is achieved in photocurrent, and high oxidation kinetics efficiency (79%). Therefore, the combination of size controlling synthesis of a 2D lamellar structure and doping strategies can be further developed in solar energy conversion devices.
Simultaneous determination of nitrate, nitrite and bromate by capillary zone electrophoresis in tea infusions grown in the Black Sea region of Turkey
Authors: Tembo Zebron Nchimunya , Şeker Aygun Fatma , Erdoğan Behice Yavuz
Published: November 2020

A quick method for the simultaneous determination of nitrate, nitrite and bromate ions in tea infusions using capillary zone electrophoresis was developed. A three‐factor full factorial design was applied for the determination of optimal conditions. Prior to the full factorial analysis, a number of experiments were conducted. A 50 mM phosphate buffer solution with pH 3.5 was selected. A capillary temperature of 40 °C, −20 kV applied voltage, 61.5 cm total capillary length (53.5 cm effective length) with 50 μm i.d., and 50 mbar injection pressure for 30 s were used. The limits of detection for nitrate, nitrite, and bromate were 0.60, 0.99, and 2.14 mg/L, respectively. The anions could be detected by the method with good resolution within 7 min with average spike recovery ranging between 91.6 and 105.5% (n = 3).
CSU57 encodes a novel repressor of sorbose utilization in opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans
Authors: Reddy Praveen Kumar , Pullepu Dileep , Dhabalia Darshan , Udaya Prakash Sagunthala Murugesan , Kabir Mohammad Anaul
Published: November 2020

Human fungal pathogen Candida albicans cannot utilize L‐sorbose as a sole carbon source. However, chromosome 5 monosomic strains can grow on sorbose as repressors present on this chromosome get diminished allowing the expression of sorbose utilization gene (SOU1) located on chromosome 4. Functional identification of these repressors has been a difficult task as they are scattered on a large portion of the right arm of chromosome 5. Herein, we have applied the telomere‐mediated chromosomal truncation approach to identify a novel repressor for sorbose utilization in this pathogen. Multiple systematic chromosomal truncations were performed on the right arm of Chr5 in the background of csu51∆/CSU51 to minimize the functional region to 6‐kb chromosomal stretch. Further, truncation that removes the part of Orf19.3942 strongly suggested its role in sorbose utilization. However, compelling evidence comes from the observation that truncation at 1,044.288‐kb position of Chr5 in the strain csu51∆/CSU51 orf19.3942∆/Orf.19.3942 produced Sou+ phenotype; otherwise, the strain remains Sou−. This confirms beyond doubt the role of Orf.19.3942 in the regulation of sorbose utilization and designated as CSU57. Comparison of SOU1 gene expression of Sou+ strains with wild type suggested its role at transcriptional level. Strain carrying double disruption of CSU57 remains Sou−. Co‐overexpression of SOU1 and CSU57 together does not make the recipient strain Sou−; however, multiple tandem copies of CSU57 produced diminished growth compared with control suggesting that it is a weak repressor. Taken together, we report that CSU57 encodes a novel repressor of L‐sorbose utilization in this pathogen.

TAKE AWAY

CSU57 encodes a repressor for L‐sorbose utilization in Candida albicans.

Csu57p acts in combination with Csu51p and other regulators.

Csu57p exerts its repressing effect at transcriptional level of SOU1 gene.

Utilization of sorbose positively correlates to the expression of SOU1 gene.

Multiple copies of CSU57 can partially suppress Sou+ phenotype.
Circumferential thermoelastic Lamb wave in fractional order cylindrical plates
Authors: Wang Xianhui , Li Fanglin , Yu Jiangong , Zhang Xiaoming , Li Zhi
Published: November 2020

An improved Legendre polynomial series approach (AILPSA) is presented to investigate the circumferential thermoelastic Lamb wave in a fractional order orthotropic cylindrical plate. In the AILPSA, the analytical integration is developed based on the orthogonality and recursive properties of the Legendre polynomial to simplify the integral computation involved in the solving progress. As a consequence, the computational efficiency is improved significantly. Results are compared with those from the previous article to confirm the validity of the introduced method. Using the AILPSA, guided wave characteristics in various fractional order orthotropic cylindrical plates are investigated by solving the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the system of algebraic equations. The influences of fractional order and radius‐thickness ratio on dispersion curve and displacement, temperature amplitudes are illustrated. The results show that the fractional order almost has no effect on the phase velocities of quasi‐elastic wave modes, but has notable effect on their attenuations. A smaller fractional order means a smaller temperature amplitude for the quasi‐elastic wave mode, but means a larger temperature amplitude for the thermal wave mode. A smaller radius thickness ratio indicates a smaller attenuation and a larger temperature amplitude.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Morocco
Authors: Oulidi Abderrahim , Diakité Keivan
Published: November 2020

The colonial legacy of Morocco has strengthened the ties between the kingdom and France and its geographical location makes it a gateway to Europe. Faced with these increasing movements of populations, the Moroccan social security system is trying to adapt to meet the needs of Moroccan populations living abroad as well as foreign populations residing in Morocco. In this chapter, we propose an assessment of the recent evolutions, trends and directions in access to social protection for individuals in a situation of international mobility.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Serbia
Authors: Popic Tamara
Published: November 2020

Turbulent political events of the 1990s marked by the Yugoslav wars, protracted transition from socialism to capitalism, and unstable economic outlook since 2000, have contributed to the preservation of a Serbian welfare system focused on ‘old social risks’, also marked by an exclusionary social protection model that limits access to some benefits to migrants – both foreigners in Serbia and Serbians abroad. Access to most social protection benefits for foreigners residing and working in Serbia depends on the same criteria and requirements as those applied for resident nationals. As the Serbian welfare regime is based on the social insurance model, the entitlement for most social benefits in cash or in kind is based on the employment period and/or payment of compulsory social insurance contributions. However, foreigners remain excluded from accessing non-contributory benefits such as the parental benefits, child allowances or the guaranteed minimum resource scheme. Non-resident nationals have access to social benefits depending on whether the country they reside in has signed social security agreements with Serbia, but range of benefits varies depending on the country.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Tunisian Citizens Abroad
Authors: Pouessel Stéphanie
Published: November 2020

With 10% of Tunisians living abroad, the Tunisian diaspora is a subject of national concern. How can the Tunisian state ensure their access to social protection abroad? This chapter will present the general institutional framework by which Tunisian authorities interact with their nationals abroad, as well as the main policies for engaging with this population. The chapter will provide an overview of the Tunisian diaspora’s main characteristics, its relations with the homeland and the policies, programs and services offered by Tunisian authorities to respond to the transnational social protection needs of Tunisian nationals abroad. By highlighting its diaspora infrastructure, key policy issues and, in particular, its social protection policies for citizens abroad, the chapter seeks to analyse the realities and deficiencies of Tunisia’s diaspora policies.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Turkish Citizens Abroad
Authors: Aydin Seda , Østergaard-Nielsen Eva
Published: November 2020

In this chapter, we examine diaspora policies and social protection in Turkey, an EU candidate country with a significantly large emigrant population in the EU. Turkey’s diaspora engagement has taken various forms in line with the domestic and international developments over the decades. From the early 2000s, the Turkish state has adopted an active approach to diaspora policies, in accordance with its assertive neo-Ottomanist foreign policy (Aydin Y, The new Turkish diaspora policy: its aims, their limits and the challenges for associations of people of Turkish origin and decision-makers in Germany (working paper). Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik-SWP-Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit, Berlin, 2014; Mencutek ZS, Baser B, J Balkan Near East Stud 20:86–105, 2018). In this period, the Turkish Government has depicted the Turkish diaspora both as a political and economic resource in the transnational policy-making and lobbying procedures, and as a population that needs protection and guidance vis-à-vis host country authorities (Mencutek ZS, Baser B, J Balkan Near East Stud 20:86–105, 2018). This chapter demonstrates that this two-dimensional approach has also been influential in social protection policies addressing Turks abroad. Turkish authorities mostly aim to assist migrants with navigating the welfare system in the receiving countries. This approach is complemented by a strategy of fortifying transnational economic, political and cultural ties with Turks abroad as part of public diplomacy and the attainment of soft power goals. With elements such as child benefits, expansion of the related attaché offices, and educational services for children, family-related benefits constitute the most accentuated social protection policies adopted by the Turkish state. The significance of family in Turkish diaspora social protection policies fits well with the Government’s emphasis on family values as an intrinsic part of its conservative policies.
Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in India
Authors: Pellissery Sony , Jain Saloni , Varghese Geo
Published: November 2020

India has a segmented social protection system. About 92% of workers in India are in unorganised sector, deprived of formal social security provisions. Those who are in formal sector receive very generous social protection arrangements close to that of welfare states in Europe, primarily influenced by the colonial legacy. Those in the informal sector primarily meet their social security needs from their disposable income. With expansive private welfare providers, the rich segment in the informal segment is able to afford this. Indian unskilled migrants, mainly in the Gulf region, have a range of benefits that are primarily to meet the civil rights, rather than social rights. Compared to this, Indian migrants in Western Europe and the Americas mainly benefit from the social security system in those countries. On the other hand, foreigners coming to India have limited social security arrangements. Since 2000, India has entered into bilateral agreements with several countries, which also recognise a new category of workers called ‘international workers’. These workers have their social security benefits primarily protected as in source country.
Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Indian Citizens Abroad
Authors: Naujoks Daniel
Published: November 2020

As the country with the world’s largest emigrant population and a long history of international mobility, India has adopted a multi-faceted institutional and policy framework to govern migration and diaspora engagement. This chapter provides a broad overview of initiatives on social protection for Indians abroad, shedding light on specific policy designs to include and exclude different populations in India and abroad. In addition to programmes by the national government, the chapter discusses initiatives at the sub-national level. The chapter shows that India has established a set of policies for various diaspora populations that are largely separate from the rules and policies adopted for nationals at home. Diaspora engagement policies, and especially policies aimed at fostering social protection of Indians abroad, are generally not integrated into national social protection policies. There is a clear distinction between policies that are geared towards the engagement of ethnic Indian populations whose forefathers have left Indian shores many generations ago, Indian communities in OECD countries – mostly US, Canada, Europe and Australia – and migrant workers going on temporary assignments to countries in the Persian Gulf. The chapter offers a discussion of the key differences, drivers, and limitations of existing policies.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Guardian of Climate Science
Authors: Paglia Eric , Parker Charles
Published: November 2020

This chapter analyzes the evolution of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from a specialist organization of climate scientists into an institution at the nexus of science and politics. We explain how the IPCC became the primary scientific authority for policymakers, the public, and climate activists on the existence, severity, consequences of, and, increasingly, possible solutions to anthropogenic climate change. We assess its influence on policymakers and governments, while examining the various tensions, critiques, and contradictions that the organization and its leaders have had to grapple with across its 32-year history, during which it successfully developed a distinct identity as a trusted provider of comprehensive scientific assessments. Our analysis also focuses on the institutional reforms that helped restore legitimacy to IPCC after ‘climategate’ and other controversies.
Insurance Distribution Directive and Cross-Border Activities by Insurance Intermediaries in the EU
Authors: Audigier Isabelle
Published: November 2020

Despite the European passport granted to insurance intermediaries by the Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD) in 2002, the single market for insurance distribution remained very fragmented. In 2016, in order to promote the emergence of a genuine Single Market in insurance services, the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) introduced new rules on cross border insurance distribution and new division of competence between home and host Member State authorities. However, it failed to provide the necessary legal clarity on when an insurance intermediary is likely to be pursuing cross-border activities. This chapter will explore whether the IDD, together with the 2018 Decision of EIOPA’s board of Supervisors, have led or will lead to more market integration. This chapter also briefly analyses the possible impact of ‘Brexit’, that is, the leaving of the EU by the United Kingdom, on cross-border activities of insurance intermediaries.
The Interplay Between the GDPR and the IDD
Authors: Chatzara Viktoria
Published: November 2020

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) have radically transformed the EU data protection and insurance distribution laws, thus constituting the two main regulatory sources of disruption for the insurance industry. The new IDD obligations require the adoption and implementation of compliance measures, which affect both the internal and the external operations of distributors, and which in numerous cases involve and even require the collection and processing of personal data in order to be effective and achieve the intended goals. As such, compliance with the IDD provisions needs to be designed in a way that respects the applicable GDPR provisions and ensures abidance by the related data protection obligations. This chapter aims to highlight some characteristic examples of areas where the IDD obligations mingle with the GDPR provisions, both in terms of the internal organization and functioning of insurers and intermediaries (Sect. 2), as well as with regard to the relations between distributors and their customers, and between distributors themselves (Sect. 3), and to pose some of the key issues that should be taken into account when attempting to tackle the interplay of these two sets of rules.
Insurance Distribution Carried Out by Insurers in Spain
Authors: Vercher-Moll Javier
Published: November 2020

In this chapter I analyze the impact that Directive 2016/97 has on insurance companies. The new requirements for employees who distribute the insurance policies of the insurance company increase the protection for customers. In addition, these new requirements lead to a reform of the governance system of the insurance company. New policies, new procedure manuals are necessary to carry out the distribution of insurance by the insurance company. Therefore, I will study the new legal requirements and their impact on the Spanish regulations.