bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted Pathway-basedIn VivoTesting Using Thyroperoxidase Inhibition to Evaluate Plasma Thyroxine as a Surrogate Metric of Metamorphic Success in Model AmphibianXenopus laevis
Authors: Haselman Jonathan T , Olker Jennifer H , Kosian Patricia A , Korte Joseph J , Swintek Joseph A , Denny Jeffrey S , Nichols John W , Tietge Joseph E , Hornung Michael W , Degitz Sigmund J
Published: March 2020

Chemical safety evaluation is in the midst of a transition from traditional whole-animal toxicity testing to molecular pathway-based in vitro assays and in silico modeling. However, to facilitate the shift in reliance on apical effects for risk assessment to predictive surrogate metrics having characterized linkages to chemical mechanisms of action, targeted in vivo testing is necessary to establish these predictive relationships. In this study, we demonstrate a means to predict thyroid-related metamorphic success in the model amphibian Xenopus laevis using relevant biochemical measurements during early prometamorphosis. The adverse outcome pathway for thyroperoxidase inhibition leading to altered amphibian metamorphosis was used to inform a pathway-based in vivo study design that generated response-response relationships. These causal relationships were used to develop Bayesian probabilistic network models that mathematically determine conditional dependencies between biochemical nodes and support the predictive capability of the biochemical profiles. Plasma thyroxine concentrations were the most predictive of metamorphic success with improved predictivity when thyroid gland sodium-iodide symporter gene expression levels (a compensatory response) were used in conjunction with plasma thyroxine as an additional regressor. Although thyroid-mediated amphibian metamorphosis has been studied for decades, this is the first time a predictive relationship has been characterized between plasma thyroxine and metamorphic success. Linking these types of biochemical surrogate metrics to apical outcomes is vital to facilitate the transition to the new paradigm of chemical safety assessments.
Hidden diversity within theDiopatra cupreacomplex (Annelida: Onuphidae): morphological and genetics analyses reveal four new species in the south-west Atlantic
Authors: Seixas Victor Corrêa , Steiner Tatiana Menchini , Solé-Cava Antônio Mateo , Amaral Antonia Cecília Zacagnini , Paiva Paulo Cesar
Published: March 2020

Diopatra is the most species-rich genus of Onuphidae with about 60 species. Although 14 species have been reported for Brazil, the cosmopolitan D. cuprea is the most commonly reported from the area, including populations with a large morphological diversity. To better elucidate this species complex, we use morphological and molecular data, and reveal a hidden diversity. Thus, we describe four new species (D. hannelorae sp. nov., D. marinae sp. nov., D. pectiniconicum sp. nov. and D. victoriae sp. nov.) and discuss their geographical and bathymetrical distributions. None of the analysed specimens could be identified as D. cuprea based on available sequences. New taxonomic characters were highlighted, including jaw morphology, which was the determinant factor to differentiate D. marinae from D. victoriae. Phylogenetic analysis indicates three (COI and ND4) or four (concatenated) lineages, because D. marinae was not always reciprocally monophyletic. Sequence-based species delimitation also indicates three to five species, depending on the method used. Inter- and intragroup genetic divergence and haplotype network analysis supported four species. The divergence time among species indicates that Pleistocene sea-level fluctuations and the Vitória–Trindade chain limited the gene flow between northern and southern populations and contributed to the emergence of species, mainly in the case of D. marinae and D. victoriae.
Highly Contiguous Genome Resource of Colletotrichum fructicola Generated Using Long-Read Sequencing
Authors: Liang Xiaofei , Cao Mengyu , Li Sen , Kong Yuanyuan , Rollins Jeffrey A. , Zhang Rong , Sun Guangyu
Published: March 2020

Colletotrichum fructicola is a plant-pathogenic fungus with a broad host range. It causes significant losses to important crops, including apple, pear, strawberry, and other Rosaceae and non-Rosaceae species. To date, two short read–based C. fructicola genomes are publicly available, but both are fragmented. In this study, we re-sequenced the genome of C. fructicola using nanopore long-read technology and refined the assembly with Hi-C map data. The resulting high-quality assembly is an important resource for further comparative and experimental studies with C. fructicola.
Risk of Spreading Soft Rot Through Cutting Dips Against Whiteflies in Greenhouse-Grown Poinsettia
Authors: Buitenhuis Rosemarije , Poleatewich Anissa , Jandricic Mark , Brownbridge Michael
Published: March 2020

Dipping is a quick and cost-effective technique to reduce pest infestations on unrooted cuttings of greenhouse ornamental crops. Large numbers of cuttings are immersed in an insecticidal treatment, e.g., biopesticides and/or insecticidal soap, before they are stuck in the growing medium and rooted. This research investigated the risk of cross-contamination of poinsettia cuttings with Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, a potentially devastating pathogen causing soft rot, through the dipping process. Sampling at four commercial greenhouses showed that P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum was present in all dip suspensions during and after processing poinsettia cuttings; concentrations up to 1 × 105 CFU/ml were detected. A laboratory experiment determined that P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum-infected cuttings could contaminate clean dip suspensions to similar levels. These results indicated that there is potential for disease transfer during dipping. The potential for cross-contamination of healthy cuttings was evaluated by immersing poinsettia cuttings in dip suspensions artificially inoculated with P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (from 1 × 103 to 1 × 107 CFU/ml). Disease incidence increased as P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum concentrations in the dip suspension increased and the variety ‘Prestige Red’ was more susceptible than ‘Freedom White.’ However, even at the highest P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum concentration of 1 × 107 CFU/ml, the proportion of diseased cuttings was low at 6% for var. ‘Freedom White,’ but higher at 21% for var. ‘Prestige Red.’ We conclude that P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum transfer among unrooted poinsettia cuttings through the dipping process is relatively low although some varieties are sensitive to high levels of inoculum. Even so, strict sanitation practices are still important to prevent build-up of inoculum in the dip treatment.
Epidemiological Criteria to Support Breeding Tactics Against the Emerging, High-Consequence Wheat Blast Disease
Authors: Fernández-Campos M. , Góngora-Canul C. , Das S. , Kabir M. R. , Valent B. , Cruz C. D.
Published: March 2020

Plant disease epidemiology can make a significant contribution for cultivar selection by elucidating the principles of an epidemic under different levels of resistance. For emerging diseases as wheat blast (WB), epidemiological parameters can provide support for better selection of genetic resources. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Bolivia in 2018–2019 to characterize the temporal dynamics of the disease on 10 cultivars with different levels of reaction to WB. Logistic models best (R2 = 0.70–0.96) fit the disease progress curve in all cultivars followed by Gompertz (R2 = 0.64–0.94), providing additional evidence of a polycyclic disease. Total area under disease progress curve (tAUDPC), final disease severity (Ymax), and logistic apparent infection rates (rL*) were shown to be appropriate epidemiological parameters for describing resistance and cultivar selection. Cultivars that showed a high spike AUDPC (sAUDPC) showed a high leaf AUDPC (lAUDPC). tAUPDC, Ymax, and rL* were positively correlated among them (P < 0.01) and all were negatively correlated with grain weight (P < 0.01). Based on the epidemiological parameters used, cultivars that showed resistance to WB were Urubó, San Pablo, and AN-120, which were previously reported to have effective resistance against the disease under field conditions. The information generated could help breeding programs to make technical decisions about relevant epidemiological parameters to consider prior to cultivar release.
Addressing Bullying and Lateral Violence in the Workplace
Authors: Vessey Judith A. , Williams Lucinda
Published: March 2020

Background:

Bullying and lateral violence are pervasive in the nursing workforce and have profound psychosocial, physical, safety, and financial consequences for nurses, their patients, and the overall health care organization.

Problem:

Unit-based nursing leaders may be aware of bullying and lateral violence but be unsure of the best approaches to address it.

Approach:

An iterative, multimodal quality improvement initiative was crafted on the basis of the available evidence and principles of transformational, adult learning. Six units were designed to foster didactic, affective, and psychomotor learning specific to bullying and lateral violence and their prevention. Each unit consisted of formal lecture content, practice exercises, and reflection.

Outcomes:

This quality improvement project was well received by participants; a unit-based action plan resulted. Project materials are being reworked and new evidence integrated for deployment across the department.

Conclusions:

This initiative has demonstrated the necessary properties and is appropriate for adoption by other nursing units.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Sternal Notch Confirms Depth of Endotracheal Tube in Children*
Authors: Uya Atim , Gautam Nischal K. , Rafique Muhammad B. , Pawelek Olga , Patnana Syamasundar R. , Gupta-Malhotra Monesha , Balaguru Duraisamy , Numan Mohammed T. , Hill Mandy J. , Miller Sara K.
Published: March 2020

Objectives:

To determine if a saline-filled cuff seen at the suprasternal notch on ultrasound corresponds to correct endotracheal tube depth on a chest radiograph (tip at/below clavicle AND ≥ 1 cm above carina).

Design:

Prospective observational study.

Setting:

Tertiary Care Pediatric hospital.

Patients:

Patients between the ages of 0–18 years requiring nonemergent cardiac catheterizations and endotracheal intubation with a cuffed endotracheal tube were included in the study. Children with anticipated or known difficult airways were excluded.

Interventions:

Ultrasound evaluation of the neck following saline inflation of the endotracheal tube cuff.

Measurements and Main Results:

Ultrasonography of the patient’s neck was performed following intubation by a pediatric anesthesiologist. A linear probe was used in transverse axis to identify the saline-filled cuff starting at the suprasternal notch and moving cephalad. A cine-fluoroscopic image, similar to a chest radiograph, was obtained to ascertain the endotracheal tube depth after the cuff was identified sonographically. Endotracheal tube cuffs seen on ultrasound at the suprasternal notch were compared with the endotracheal tube depth on the cine-fluoroscopic image. A total of 75 children were enrolled in the study. The endotracheal tube was seen sonographically at the suprasternal notch in 70 patients of which 60 had complete data (an adequate chest radiograph available for review). Patient ages ranged from 2 months to 18 years with a median age of 4 years. The median endotracheal tube tip to carina distance was 2.4 cm (interquartile range, 1.75–3.3 cm.) The endotracheal tube tip to carina distance was greater than or equal to 1 cm in 57 out of the 60 patients. Endotracheal tube cuff at the suprasternal notch on ultrasound corresponded with correct endotracheal tube depth on chest radiograph with an accuracy of 95% (CI, 86–98%).

Conclusions:

Visualization of the cuff at the suprasternal notch by ultrasound demonstrates potential as a means of confirming correct depth of the endotracheal tube following endotracheal intubation.
Repurposing bioactive compounds for treating multidrug-resistant pathogens
Authors: Hummell Nicholas A. , Kirienko Natalia V.
Published: March 2020

Introduction.Antimicrobial development is being outpaced by the rising rate of antimicrobial resistance in the developing and industrialized world. Drug repurposing, where novel antibacterial functions can be found for known molecular entities, reduces drug development costs, reduces regulatory hurdles, and increases rate of success.

Aim.We sought to characterize the antimicrobial properties of five known bioactives (DMAQ-B1, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, CD437 and PSB-069) that were discovered in a high-throughput phenotypic screen for hits that extendCaenorhabditis eleganssurvival during exposure toPseudomonas aeruginosaPA14.

Methodology.c.f.u. assays, biofilm staining and fluorescence microscopy were used to assay the compounds' effect on various virulence determinants. Checkerboard assays were used to assess synergy between compounds and conventional antimicrobials.C. elegans-based assays were used to test whether the compounds could also rescue againstEnterococcus faecalisandStaphyloccus aureus. Finally, toxicity was assessed inC. elegansand mammalian cells.

Results.Four of the compounds rescuedC. elegansfrom a second bacterial pathogen and two of them (DMAQ-B1, a naturally occurring insulin mimetic, and CD437, an agonist of the retinoic acid receptor) rescued against all three. The platinum complexes displayed increased antimicrobial activity againstP. aeruginosa. Of the molecules tested, only CD437 showed slight synergy with ampicillin. The two most effective compounds, DMAQ-B1 and CD437, showed toxicity to mammalian cells.

Conclusion.Although these compounds' potential for repurposing is limited by their toxicity, our results contribute to this growing field and provide a simple road map for usingC. elegansfor preliminary testing of known bioactive compounds with predicted antimicrobial activity.
The effectiveness of full and partial travel bans against COVID-19 spread in Australia for travellers from China
Authors: Costantino Valentina , Heslop David J , MacIntyre C Raina
Published: March 2020

Australia implemented a travel ban on China on February 1st 2020. Partial lifting of the ban is being considered, given the decline in incidence of COVID-19 in China. We modelled three scenarios to test the impact of travel bans on epidemic control in Australia. Scenario one was no ban, scenario two was the current ban followed by a full lifting from the 8th of March 2020, scenario three was a partial lifting of the current ban to allow over 100,000 university students to enter Australia, but not tourists. We used disease incidence data from China and air travel passenger movements between China and Australia, derived from incoming passenger arrival cards. We estimated the true incidence of disease in China using data on expected proportion of under-ascertainment of cases. We used an age specific deterministic model divided in 18 age stratified groups to model the epidemic in each scenario. The modelled epidemic with the full ban fitted the observed incidence of cases well. The modelled epidemic of the current ban predicts 57 cases on March 6th in Australia, compared to 66 observed on this date, however we did not account for imported cases from other countries. The modelled impact without a travel ban implemented on February the 1st shows the epidemic would continue for more than a year resulting in more than 2000 cases and about 400 deaths. The impact of a partial lifting of a ban is minimal, and may be a policy option. Travel restrictions were highly effective for containing the COVID-19 epidemic in Australia and averted a much larger epidemic. The epidemic is still containable if other measures are used in tandem as cases surge in other countries. This research can inform decisions on placing or lifting travel bans as a control measure for the COVID-19 epidemic.
Effects of Chinese strategies for controlling the diffusion and deterioration of novel coronavirus–infected pneumonia in China
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiang , Tian Weitian , Lv Xin , Shi Yumiao , Zhou Xiaoxin , Yu Weifeng , Su Diansan , Tian Jie
Published: March 2020

Background

In December 2019, an outbreak of new type of coronavirus named COVID-19 occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. In a very short time, this virus spread rapidly over China, greatly threatening public health and economic development. The Chinese government acted quickly and implemented a series of strategies to prevent diffusion of this disease. We therefore sought to evaluate the effects of these Chinese strategies for controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Methods

From the data of cumulative confirmed cases from provincial Health Commission websites of China, we performed model fitting and calculated the growth speed of cumulative confirmed patients. We further analyzed the time when this growth speed, the rate of the number of new cases, reached its maximum (Speedmax). Comparing different times to Speedmax of different areas in China, we calculated the dates at which the growth speed began to decline in different areas. Also, The number of plateaus were analyzed.

Results

The quartic model showed the best fit. For almost all areas in mainland China, the speed of infections reached Speedmax and began to decline within 14 days; exceptions were Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hainan, Guizhou, and Hubei. The number of plateaus was significantly correlated with the emigration index. However, the distance from other areas to Hubei and the number of plateaus had little influence on when a province or area arrived at Speedmax. Once strict intervention strategies were implemented, diffusion and deterioration of COVID-19 were inhibited quickly and effectively over China.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that Chinese strategies are highly effective on controlling the diffusion and deterioration of the novel coronavirus–infected pneumonia. These strategies supply experience and guidelines for other countries to control the COVID-19 epidemic.
Noradrenergic projections from the locus coeruleus to the amygdala constrain auditory fear memory reconsolidation
Authors: Haubrich Josue , Bernabo Matteo , Nader Karim
Published: March 2020

Memory reconsolidation is a fundamental plasticity process in the brain that allows established memories to be changed or erased. However, certain boundary conditions limit the parameters under which memories can be made plastic. Strong memories do not destabilize, for instance, although why they are resilient is mostly unknown. Here, we extend the understanding of the mechanisms implicated inreconsolidation-resistant memories byinvestigating the hypothesis that specific modulatory signals shape memory formation into a state that lacks lability. We find that the activation of the noradrenaline-locus coeruleus system (NOR-LC) during strong fear memory encoding increases molecular mechanisms of stability at the expense of lability in the amygdala. Preventing the NOR-LC from modulating strong fear encoding results in the formation of memories that can undergo reconsolidation within the amygdala and thus are vulnerable to post-reactivation interference. Thus, the memory strength boundary condition on reconsolidation is set at the time of encoding by the action of the NOR-LC.
Ancient Y chromosomes confirm origin of modern human paternal lineages in Asia rather than Africa
Authors: Chen Hongyao , Zhang Ye , Huang Shi
Published: March 2020

Analyses of Y chromosome variations of extant people have resulted in two models for the paternal phylogenetic tree of modern humans with roots either in Africa or East Asia. These two trees are differentiated mainly by when and where their mega-haplogroups branched apart. This paper examines previously published Y chromosome sequencing data of 17 ancient samples to compare these two competing models. As ancient samples have had less time to evolve, they are expected to have mutated in some, but not all, of the sites that define present day haplogroups to which they belong. Indeed, most of the ancient DNAs here showed that expected pattern for both the terminal and the basal haplogroups to which they belong, all of the ones which are non-controversial or considered real by both of the two competing models followed that pattern. However, for basal haplogroups not shared by the two models, such expected pattern could be observed only if the haplogroups specific to the Asia rather than the Africa model are real, including ABCDE, ABDE, AB, A00-A1b. Another important point is that, if the mega-haplogroups of the Africa model were real, including BT, CT, CF and F, it would mean that numerous alleles would be shared between these haplogroups and several ancient A1b1b2 samples, which is unexpected and unseen in present day samples. Sharing alleles like this would also violate the infinite site assumption that makes the Africa rooting possible in the first place. Therefore, the data from ancient Y chromosomes confirm the actual existence of the haplogroups specific to the Asia model.
Dynamic Behaviors of Expression Compensation between Duplicate Genes
Authors: Gu Xun
Published: March 2020

While gene or genome duplications have provided raw genetic materials for evolutionary innovations, these events have also generated massive duplicate genes, resulting in a tremendous increase to the genetic robustness of organism. Duplicate compensation indicate functional redundancies generated by gene duplications, which are widespread in all known genomes. However, the fitness trade-offs of their mutational compensation (genetic robustness) and their role in evolutionary innovation remains largely obscure. In this paper, we discuss how we can utilize the mathematical modeling approach to predicting under which condition duplicate compensation may occur. After a critical review for the models about expression dosage, compensation, and long-term survival of duplicate genes, we highlight the importance to distinguish between Function (F)-triggered and Expression (E)-triggered mechanism of duplicate compensation. Moreover, we address three fundamental questions: (i) Why a backup duplicate can be effectively activated by any silence mutation of the dominant duplicate, but hardly by any coding mutation resulting in impaired protein function? (ii) Why a dispensable duplicate gene, i.e., knockout leads to virtually no phenotype, still remains a great deal of selective constraints in the coding region? And (iii) under which condition expression subfunctionalization between duplicates is reversible (dosage-sharing) or irreversible (long-term survival)?
Elastohydrodynamical instabilities of active filaments, arrays and carpets analyzed using slender body theory
Authors: Sangani Ashok S. , Gopinath Arvind
Published: March 2020

The rhythmic motions and wave-like planar oscillations in filamentous soft structures are ubiquitous in biology. Inspired by these, recent work has focused on the creation of synthetic colloid-based active mimics that can be used to move, transport cargo, and generate fluid flows. Underlying the functionality of these mimics is the coupling between elasticity, geometry, dissipation due to the fluid, and active force or moment generated by the system. Here, we use slender body theory to analyze the linear stability of a subset of these - active elastic filaments, filament arrays and filament carpets - animated by follower forces. Follower forces can be external or internal forces that always act along the filament contour. The application of slender body theory enables the accurate inclusion of hydrodynamic effects, screening due to boundaries, and interactions between filaments. We first study the stability of fixed and freely suspended sphere-filament assemblies, calculate neutral stability curves separating stable oscillatory states from stable straight states, and quantify the frequency of emergent oscillations. When shadowing effects due to the physical presence of the spherical boundary are taken into account, the results from the slender body theory differ from that obtained using local resistivity theory. Next, we examine the onset of instabilities in a small cluster of filaments attached to a wall and examine how the critical force for onset of instability and the frequency of sustained oscillations depend on the number of filaments and the spacing between the filaments. Our results emphasize the role of hydrodynamic interactions in driving the system towards perfectly in-phase or perfectly out of phase responses depending on the nature of the instability. Specifically, the first bifurcation corresponds to filaments oscillating in-phase with each other. We then extend our analysis to filamentous (line) array and (square) carpets of filaments and investigate the variation of the critical parameters for the onset of oscillations and the frequency of oscillations on the inter-filament spacing. The square carpet also produces a uniform flow at infinity and we determine the ratio of the mean-squared flow at infinity to the energy input by active forces. We conclude by analyzing the bending and buckling instabilities of a straight passive filament attached to a wall and placed in a viscous stagnant flow - a problem related to the growth of biofilms, and also to mechanosensing in passive cilia and microvilli. Taken together, our results provide the foundation for more detailed non-linear analyses of spatiotemporal patterns in active filament systems.
Genomic and dietary transitions during the Mesolithic and Early Neolithic in Sicily
Authors: van de Loosdrecht Marieke S. , Mannino Marcello A. , Talamo Sahra , Villalba-Mouco Vanessa , Posth Cosimo , Aron Franziska , Brandt Guido , Burri Marta , Freund Cäcilia , Radzeviciute Rita , Stahl Raphaela , Wissgott Antje , Klausnitzer Lysann , Nagel Sarah , Meyer Matthias , Tagliacozzo Antonio , Piperno Marcello , Tusa Sebastiano , Collina Carmine , Schimmenti Vittoria , Di Salvo Rosaria , Prüfer Kay , Hublin Jean-Jacques , Schiffels Stephan , Jeong Choongwon , Haak Wolfgang , Krause Johannes
Published: March 2020

Southern Italy is a key region for understanding the agricultural transition in the Mediterranean due to its central position. We present a genomic transect for 19 prehistoric Sicilians that covers the Early Mesolithic to Early Neolithic period. We find that the Early Mesolithic hunter-gatherers (HGs) are a highly drifted sister lineage to Early Holocene western European HGs, whereas a quarter of the Late Mesolithic HGs ancestry is related to HGs from eastern Europe and the Near East. This indicates substantial gene flow from (south-)eastern Europe between the Early and Late Mesolithic. The Early Neolithic farmers are genetically most similar to those from the Balkan and Greece, and carry only a maximum of ∼7% ancestry from Sicilian Mesolithic HGs. Ancestry changes match changes in dietary profile and material culture, except for two individuals who may provide tentative initial evidence that HGs adopted elements of farming in Sicily.

One-sentence summary

Genome-wide and isotopic data from prehistoric Sicilians reveal a pre-farming connection to (south-) eastern Europe, and tentative initial evidence that hunter-gatherers adopted some Neolithic aspects prior to near-total replacement by early farmers.
Influence of fluorine substitution on the molecular conformation of 3′-deoxy-3′-fluoro-5-methyluridine
Authors: Aher Manisha N. , Erande Namrata D. , Kumar Vaijayanti A. , Fernandes Moneesha , Gonnade Rajesh G.
Published: March 2020

Fluorine substitutions on the furanose ring of nucleosides are known to strongly influence the conformational properties of oligonucleotides. In order to assess the effect of fluorine on the conformation of 3′-deoxy-3′-fluoro-5-methyluridine (RTF), C10H13FN2O5, we studied its stereochemistry in the crystalline state using X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes in the chiral orthorhombic space groupP212121and contains two symmetry-independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. The furanose ring in moleculesAandBadopts conformations between envelope (2E, 2′-endo,P = 162°) and twisted (2T3, 2′-endoand 3′exo,P = 180°), with pseudorotation phase angles (P) of 164.3 and 170.2°, respectively. The maximum puckering amplitudes, νmax, for moleculesAandBare 38.8 and 36.1°, respectively. In contrast, for 5-methyluridine (RTOH), the value ofPis 21.2°, which is between the3E (3′-endo,P = 18.0°) and3T4(3′-endoand 4′-exo,P = 36°) conformations. The value of νmaxforRTOHis 41.29°. MoleculesAandBofRTFgenerate respective helical assemblies across the crystallographic 21-screw axis through classical N—H...O aand O—H...O hydrogen bonds supplemented by C—H...O contacts. Adjacent parallel helices of both molecules are linked to each otherviaO—H...O and O...π interactions.
The rural–urban income divide among farm households: the role of off-farm work and farm size
Authors: El-Osta Hisham S.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The determinants of income of rural and urban farm households, with emphasis on the role of off-farm employment by farm household members and of farm size, are examined using data from the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and quantile regression procedure. The implemented quantile regression technique is extended to allow for the decomposition of the income gap between the two groups of farm households. Findings indicate, regardless of the location of the farm, a positive and significant impact of a previous year's participation in off-farm work by household members on the distribution of current household income. Having operated a larger-sized farm in the previous year is shown with a similar effect in the upper range of the income distribution for urban households and with a comparable impact but across the whole income distribution for rural farm households.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the 2016 ARMS are used in conjunction with quantile regression in order for decomposition of the income gap between the two groups of farm households.

Findings

Findings show that urban farm households who in a previous year have participated in off-farm work and operated larger-sized farms tend to earn higher incomes. Results further indicate higher rates of return to education for “urban” farm households in comparison to “rural” farm households, particularly for those with a college education and beyond who are at the lower portion of the income distribution.

Research limitations/implications

To the extent that the ARMS is an annual cross-sectional data, the temporal impacts of factors that potentially may influence the incomes of farm households in urban and rural areas cannot be measured.

Practical implications

Findings from this research indirectly support previous published research where higher earnings by urban US population were documented in comparison to rural population and where earnings tend to rise as a result of participation in off-farm work and in expanding the size of the farming operation; this is in addition to the procurement of higher education.

Social implications

The results of a higher rate of return to education for “urban” farm households in comparison to “rural” farm households have important policy implications for policymakers.

Originality/value

This is the first paper in the agricultural economic literature that implements a method of assessing the rural–urban divide across all of the quantiles of income distribution.
An urban composite development index based on China's five development concepts
Authors: Tan Khee Giap , Zhang Xuyao , Song Lin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Shandong is a thriving economic centre, being the third largest province by land area in China. It also has the second largest resident population of 99,470,000 and the third largest gross regional domestic product of RMB 6.8tn in 2016. The urbanisation rate of Shandong has been quickly expanding from 45 per cent in 2005 to 58 per cent in 2016. This paper aims to examine the urban development, performance and liveability of 17 Shandong cities through areas such as infrastructure, public services, education and environmental protection.

Design/methodology/approach

Building upon the theoretical underpinnings of China’s five development concepts – innovation, coordination, green development, opening up and sharing, this paper has constructed the inaugural urban composite development for 17 cities based on 131 indicators across six environments, namely, scale and quality of economic activities, financial capacity, labour market flexibility and economic vibrancy, good governance, effective leadership and social stability, technological advancement and innovation capability, public service standards and quality of life improvement and resource conditions and environmental protection.

Findings

The empirical results show that Qingdao, Weihai and Yantai perform well in urban development, while the capital city Jinan only rank in the fourth position.

Originality/value

By identifying the relative strengths and weaknesses of each city based on the perspective of ordinary city dwellers, this paper provides appropriate policy recommendations for policymakers to develop and optimise their economies and urban spaces.
Adiwiyata-program-based school management model can create environment-oriented school
Authors: Roswita Wan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To analyze and find a model design of Adiwiyata environment-based management for schools built on wetlands.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach used is qualitative descriptive research, which provides complex details about a phenomenon or situation that has not been expressed through direct observation. The research was conducted at State Senior High School in Dumai city, which has participated in Adiwiyata program. Objects in the study are school communities including educators, education personnel, learners, cleaning personnel, and canteen management. Sampling was done randomly (simple random sampling). Students sample taken were from X, XI, and XII grades for both schools. Number of the population in SMA Negeri 2 (Public Senior High School 2) were 1,006 people. SMA Negeri Binaan Khusus (Binaan Khusus Public Senior High School) were 594 people. The number of samples eligible in the study was 30–500 people. Data collection techniques were conducted by using observation, interview, questionnaire, and documentation performed in both schools. Data analysis used qualitative and quantitative descriptive analysis with a simple statistical approach in the form percentage.

Findings

Public Senior High School 2 and Binaan Khusus Public Senior High School have school plans on activities related to environment-oriented education school management. Planning is outlined in school programs and school development planning programs by fulfilling infrastructure facilities supporting school activities with environmental insight. Programs are made by both schools, some are carried out in accordance with the plan. Nevertheless, some of the programs are not yet realized. For example, Public Senior High School 2 planning in building a greenhouse. Binaan Khusus Public Senior High School's fishpond plan was abandoned.

Originality/value

The originality of this research appears in the novelty of the use of built models that involve all school communities to be able to change and instill caring behavior and attitudes toward the environment in order to realize Adiwiyata-program-based environment-oriented education school management. But, there is no Adiwiyata program implementation model; therefore, the model in this study does not include the components of Environment–Based Curriculum Implementation
Impact of improvement tools on standardization and stability goal practices
Authors: EL-Khalil Raed , Leffakis Zachary Moran , Hong Paul C.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper empirically examines the implementation pattern of different types of lean management (LM) techniques on the shop-floor. Based on the socio-technical systems framework, LM techniques are classified as social improvement tools and technical process standardization and stability practices. This categorization facilitates investigating their implementation relationship in a complex production system.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the survey data from managers of the three major US auto-manufacturers and their suppliers (n = 137), measurement scales are developed using confirmatory factor analysis for the LM process improvement, stability, and standardization constructs. Hypotheses are tested by applying the Sobel test technique for mediating regression.

Findings

Statistical results confirm the mediation role of LM improvement tools between standardization and stability goal practices, indicating that technical process-oriented practices are not directly related and that their association is impacted by the corresponding implementation of social tools on the shop-floor.

Practical implications

The results indicate that LM practices should not be randomly implemented on the shop-floor but rather adopted and executed based on a systematic pattern. In LM systems, the implementation of process stability, standardization, and improvement practices on the shop-floor are more tightly integrated than traditionally assumed.

Originality/value

This study establishes a new categorization of specific LM tools based on social and technical characteristics. The conclusions highlight the importance of adopting a social emphasize of continuous improvement to establish a technical focus of process standardization and stability for LM implementation success.
Social innovation and the university
Authors: Cockshut Ladan , Brown Alistair , Hardey Mariann
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the university as a nexus of socially innovative support and engagement with micro- and small-sized (mSME) creative businesses in rural and semi-rural regions. This paper argues that universities can play a socially innovative role in and around their regions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an action research approach to shape university-led interventions for creative mSMEs in a predominantly rural/semi-rural deprived area in the North East of England. A series of additional interviews were conducted with a sample to further explore issues raised during the action research phase.

Findings

The research found that the university is seen by these mSMEs as a trusted source of socially innovative support, though the expectation is for long-term and meaningful interventions that facilitate impactful change. University-based knowledge exchange and innovation can be oriented toward these tiny businesses for mutual benefit and as an enabler of societal change in a transitional economy.

Research limitations/implications

As this study focused on a small, geographically similar cohort of creative mSMEs, the further application of these findings may be limited in dissimilar settings. More research is encouraged to further explore and test the conceptual points this paper raises.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the social innovation field and creative economies policy research by presenting how a university can enable and shape authentic forms of engagement and impact in the mSME creative economy across the rural/semi-urban landscape.
Performance improvement of resonant multi-loop controller with odd harmonic injection for standalone three-phase inverter
Authors: Karimi Mohsen , Pichan Mohammad , Sadri Mehdi , Seyedjafari Seyed Morteza
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate an improved control method and digital signal processor-based (DSP-based) digital implementation of three-phase standalone inverter. The proposed method is performance developed of the proportional-resonant controller (PRC) with harmonic injection technique, aiming to improve load voltages quality under different loads, especially nonlinear loads. The advanced proposed multi-loop controller is consisted of current harmonic loops for suppressing odd harmonic, which are analyzed in discrete-time domain. Besides, the voltage loop is also used to compensate the output capacitor voltage.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method can effectively enlarge output voltage stability with low total harmonics distortion and improve the dynamic transient response. The other advantage of the proposed PRC is the injection of the selective harmonic without any additional calculation compensator.

Findings

The method is given the opportunity to be controlled exactly all harmful outputs with high-quality voltage referenced of the standalone inverter. The proposed method is implemented using a DSP processor (TMS320F28335) and is verified on the 10 kVA three-phase standalone inverter prototype.

Originality/value

The proposed method is performance developed of the PRC with harmonic injection technique, aiming to improve load voltages quality under different loads, especially nonlinear loads.
Temporal dynamics and drivers of landscape‐level spread by emerald ash borer
Authors: Ward Samuel F. , Fei Songlin , Liebhold Andrew M.
Published: March 2020

Non‐native insects pose threats to forest health and often spread via stratified dispersal in which long‐distance jumps cause elevated rates of range expansion. Quantifying patterns and developing models of spread are central to understanding drivers of invasion and forecasting future invasions.

We investigated the utility of models for characterizing and predicting spread of emerald ash borer (EAB), quantified temporal dynamics of spread and identified correlates of county‐level invasion risk.

We estimated rates and frequency of EAB spread and length of long‐distance jumps throughout the contiguous USA from 1997 to 2018 and compared observed patterns with model predictions. A time‐to‐event model was then developed at the county level to assess the influence of habitat characteristics and propagule pressure on invasion risk. The final model was used to forecast invasion risk across the contiguous USA.

Range expansion by EAB accorded well with model predictions. Following the initial establishment phase, range expansion rates were biphasic, shifting to a faster, linear pattern around 2002 and then declining from 2015 onwards. From 2003 onwards, EAB invaded 6–134 new counties per year, including a mean of 14 discrete jumps per year averaging 93 ± 7SEkm.

Risk of spread was positively associated with proximity to previously invaded areas, human population density and densities of ash and non‐ash trees in rural forests but negatively associated with temperature.

Synthesis and applications. At the regional level, the invasion by emerald ash borer appears to be entering the saturation phase, indicating that most high‐risk counties in the eastern USA have been invaded. Even though spread has recently slowed, counties in close proximity to invaded areas and that have high densities of humans and trees are at the greatest risk of becoming invaded. Taken together, our findings provide insight into historical and future dynamics of range expansion by emerald ash borer, which can be used to guide risk assessments for potential invaders capable of frequent long‐distance dispersal.
Understanding occupational engagement for individuals with bariatric needs: The perspectives of Australian Occupational Therapists
Authors: Ellison Narelle , Keesing Sharon , Harris Courtenay
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Over the last 20 years, the number of individuals affected by obesity in Australia has increased by 56%. The impact of excessive weight gain results in a wide range of physical, psychological and social difficulties, with resultant changes to occupational performance and engagement. For some people within this population, a further consequence of this increasing weight gain contributes to additional difficulties, with the individual being considered to be “bariatric”. For these people, resultant changes include decreased capacity to engage in self‐care activities, leisure occupations and productive roles, creating significant difficulties in undertaking important life roles. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the occupational engagement of individuals with bariatric needs, and to identify potential opportunities to support the engagement and participation of these individuals from the perspectives of Australian occupational therapists.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected from 11 semi‐structured interviews with occupational therapists from a variety of practice settings.

Results

Thematic analysis identified four central themes (a) Occupational engagement was significantly impacted by a lack of suitable resources and availability of daily living equipment; (b) Health and well‐being were impacted by a disruption in meaningful occupational engagement; (c) Occupational roles were limited due to poor occupational identity and perceptions of not belonging within the community; (d) Occupational therapists do have a varied role when working with individuals with bariatric needs.

Conclusion

Occupational therapists engaged in this study indicated that people with bariatric needs were significantly impacted by many complex issues as a result of their health condition, often contributing to poor health and decreased well‐being. Occupational therapists are well‐placed to engage with individuals with bariatric needs across many care contexts and must take up potential opportunities to provide services targeted towards the increased engagement and participation of these individuals, with resultant improvements to health and well‐being.
A molecular mechanism for how sigma factor AlgT and transcriptional regulator AmrZ inhibit twitching motility in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Xu Anming , Zhang Miaokun , Du Weili , Wang Di , Ma Luyan Z.
Published: March 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis patients are often mucoid (due to the overexpression of exopolysaccharide alginate) yet lost motility. It remains unclear about how P. aeruginosa coordinately regulates alginate production and the type IV pili‐driven twitching motility. Here we showed that sigma 22 factor (AlgT/U), an activator of alginate biosynthesis, repressed twitching motility by inhibiting the expression of pilin (PilA) through the intermediate transcriptional regulator AmrZ, which directly bound to the promoter region of pilA in both mucoid strain FRD1 and non‐mucoid strain PAO1. Four conserved AmrZ‐binding sites were found in pilA promoters among 10 P. aeruginosa strains although their entire pilA promoters had low identity. AmrZ has been reported to be essential for twitching in PAO1. We found that AmrZ was also required for twitching in mucoid FRD1, yet a high level of AmrZ inhibited twitching motility. This result was consistent with the phenomenon that twitching is frequently repressed in mucoid strains, in which the expression of AmrZ was highly activated by AlgT. Additionally, AlgT also inhibited the transcription of pilMNOP operon, which is involved in efficient pilus assembly. Our data elucidated a mechanism for how AlgT and AmrZ coordinately controlled twitching motility in P. aeruginosa.
Heterogeneity in Auction Price Distributions for Australian Indigenous Artists
Authors: Fry Tim R. L.
Published: March 2020

Studies of auction prices for artworks typically relate the conditional moments of a single realised price distribution either to characteristics of the artist, the artwork and the auction or to pre‐sale information. Using data from the Australian Art Sales Digest for the 100 best‐selling Australian Indigenous artists over the period 1987–2014, we use finite‐mixture models to understand heterogeneity in auction prices. Our results complement the existing literature by identifying new ways in which factors previously used in the literature may be related to price heterogeneity in a differentiated market such as that for Australian Indigenous art.