bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and implementation of fuzzy control system for egg incubator based on IoT technology
Authors: Mujčić Edin , Drakulić Una
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, automatic systems are using in more spheres of industry, and in this way, human intervention is avoided and used as minimally as possible. In the chicken poultry industry, the use of mother hens is transferring to automatic egg incubating systems. Such systems are helpful for the farmers to incubate the eggs automatically without the need for human intervention. These systems work by keeping the physical quantities, temperature and humidity, at the optimal level. In that way, the fetuses inside eggs are growing without the presence of the mother hen. The egg incubating systems not only improve poultry production considerably but also help in the regularity of income making, enabling the farmers to be able to get transition into possible rural entrepreneurship. This paper describes the design and implementation of a fuzzy control system for egg incubating based on IoT technology. The microcontroller is programmed to work as a fuzzy logic control system for controlling microclimate conditions in the egg incubator to keep the conditions for different eggs type optimal. Informations from the temperature and humidity sensors are sent wirelessly to the cloud. Also, the implemented egg incubating system enables automatic tracking of the remaining days until hatching chickens. In this way, remote monitoring, from any location, of microclimatic conditions inside the egg incubator is enabled. For the experimental work analysis of the implemented egg incubating system, the egg incubator is made. Based on the results of the experimental work analysis can be seen that the egg incubating system works well and that it helps with improving poultry production.
On the locations of maxima and minima in a sequence of exchangeable random variables
Authors: Ferger D.
Published: December 2021

We show for a finite sequence of exchangeable random variables that the locations of the maximum and minimum are independent from every symmetric event. In particular they are uniformly distributed on the grid without the diagonal. Moreover, for an infinite sequence we show that the extrema and their locations are asymptotically independent. Here, in contrast to the classical approach we do not use affine-linear transformations. Moreover it is shown how the new transformations can be used in extreme value statistics.
A simple guide to de novo transcriptome assembly and annotation
Authors: Raghavan Venket , Kraft Louis , Mesny Fantin , Rigerte Linda
Published: December 2021

A transcriptome constructed from short-read RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) is an easily attainable proxy catalog of protein-coding genes when genome assembly is unnecessary, expensive or difficult. In the absence of a sequenced genome to guide the reconstruction process, the transcriptome must be assembled de novo using only the information available in the RNA-seq reads. Subsequently, the sequences must be annotated in order to identify sequence-intrinsic and evolutionary features in them (for example, protein-coding regions). Although straightforward at first glance, de novo transcriptome assembly and annotation can quickly prove to be challenging undertakings. In addition to familiarizing themselves with the conceptual and technical intricacies of the tasks at hand and the numerous pre- and post-processing steps involved, those interested must also grapple with an overwhelmingly large choice of tools. The lack of standardized workflows, fast pace of development of new tools and techniques and paucity of authoritative literature have served to exacerbate the difficulty of the task even further. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of de novo transcriptome assembly and annotation. We discuss the procedures involved, including pre- and post-processing steps, and present a compendium of corresponding tools.
Body condition and jumping predict initial survival in a replicated island introduction experiment
Authors: Donihue Colin M , Herrel Anthony , Foufopoulos Johannes , Pafilis Panayiotis
Published: December 2021

Over-water dispersal to small islets is an important eco-evolutionary process. Most often, new arrivals on islets find the environment harsh or mate-less, making their footholds on these islets fleeting. Occasionally, introduced animals are able to survive the strong selection following their arrival, leading to subsequent propagation and, in several famous cases, adaptive radiation. What traits predict that initial survival? We established a replicated island introduction experiment to investigate this process in lizards. In 2014, we introduced 20 Podarcis erhardii lizards to each of five small islets in the Greek Cyclades Islands. We found that the lizards that survived were those with better initial body condition, longer distal portions of their limbs and a greater propensity for jumping. Contrary to our expectations, neither body size nor the strength of the lizards’ bite – two traits positively related to competitive ability, which becomes important later in the colonization process in lizards – predicted survival. This is the first selection study of its kind investigating an experimental introduction of Podarcis, and whether the traits that determined initial survival are important in driving the future evolutionary trajectories of these populations remains to be determined.
Pandemic ethics: Rethinking rights, responsibilities and roles in social work
Authors: Banks Sarah , Rutter Nikki
Published: December 2021

This article explores responses of 41 UK social workers to ethical challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilising UK data from an international qualitative survey and follow-up interviews in 2020. Challenges ranged from weighing individual rights/needs against public health risks, to deciding whether to follow government/agency rules and guidance. Drawing on a narrative methodology to explore ethical agency, four broad types of response are identified: ethical confusion; ethical distress; ethical creativity and ethical learning. The article considers conditions that promote ethical creativity and learning: time and slow ethics; teamwork and co-creating the future and professional judgement and ethics work. It examines cognitive and emotional efforts required to make professional judgements in new conditions, when existing practices and procedures are unavailable, showing how the concept of ‘ethics work’ assists in identifying the invisible labour behind judgements and decisions in challenging circumstances. Whilst some practitioners sought clearer guidance from above, others made tailored professional ethical judgements about what would be right under particular circumstances for particular people. This capacity underpins good professional practice, and has been highlighted during the pandemic. It is important that social work post-pandemic reclaims the role of professional ethical judgement, which has been undermined by decades of managerialism and procedure-driven practice.
Factors affecting the social gradient in children’s social care
Authors: Goldacre Allie , Hood Rick
Published: December 2021

The social gradient in children’s social care refers to the relationship between socio-economic status and the likelihood of a child welfare intervention. This article reports on a quantitative study of national administrative data, aiming to identify social gradients across all local authorities in England and to examine the factors affecting their relative strength. An anonymised extract of case-level information on all school-aged children involved with statutory social care services in 2018–2019 was combined with income deprivation data for 32,837 small neighbourhoods. Poisson regression models were used to calculate how much intervention rates could be expected to rise for each 10 percent increase in neighbourhood deprivation. This produced a single number indicator of the social gradient that could be compared for different groups of children. The strongest social gradients were found for younger children, White children, children assessed with neglect and children on protection plans under the category of neglect. For children receiving statutory services the social gradient increased at every threshold of intervention. Findings suggest the shift from prevention to intervention in children’s social care is exacerbating inequalities and encouraging a disproportionate focus on poorer families. Implications are discussed for reforming child welfare services in the context of widening social inequalities.
The effect of parietal glutamate/GABA balance on test anxiety levels in early childhood in a cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Zacharopoulos George , Sella Francesco , Cohen Kadosh Kathrin , Emir Uzay , Cohen Kadosh Roi
Published: December 2021

The increased prevalence of test anxiety in our competitive society makes it a health issue of public concern. However, its neurobiological basis, especially during the years of formal education, is currently scant. Previous research has highlighted the association between neural excitation/inhibition balance and psychopathology and disease. We examined whether the glutamate/GABA profile tracks test anxiety levels in development, using a cross-sectional and longitudinal design in a cohort spanning from early childhood to early adulthood (N = 289), reassessed approximately 21 months later (N = 194). We used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to noninvasively quantify glutamate and gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the middle frontal gyrus. We show that the glutamate/GABA balance within the IPS relates to current individual variation in test anxiety levels and predict future test anxiety approximately 21 months later. Critically, this relationship was observed during early childhood but not during the later developmental stages. Our results extend the use of the excitation/inhibition balance framework to characterize the psychopathology mechanisms of test anxiety, an underexplored yet widespread and debilitating condition that can impact early child development. Our findings provide a better understanding of the neurotransmitter basis underlying the emergence of anxiety disorders during development.
Burnout and long COVID among the UK nephrology workforce: results from a national survey investigating the impact of COVID-19 on working lives
Authors: Selvaskandan Haresh , Nimmo Ailish , Savino Manuela , Afuwape Sarah , Brand Sarah , Graham-Brown Matthew , Medcalf James , Cockwell Paul , Beckwith Hannah
Published: December 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is placing a significant strain on healthcare. We conducted a national survey of the UK nephrology workforce to understand its impacts on their working lives.

Methods

An online questionnaire incorporating the Maslach Burnout Inventory score was distributed between 31 March and 1 May 2021, with a focus on COVID-19 and long COVID incidence, vaccine uptake, burnout and working patterns. Data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively; multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations.

Results

A total of 423 responses were received. Of them, 29% had contracted COVID-19, which was more common among doctors and nurses {odds ratio [OR] 2.18 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–4.22]} and those <55 years of age [OR 2.60 (95% CI 1.38–4.90)]. Of those who contracted COVID-19, 36% had symptoms of long COVID, which was more common among ethnicities other than White British [OR 2.57 (95% CI 1.09–6.05)]. A total of 57% had evidence of burnout, which was more common among younger respondents [OR 1.92 (95% CI 1.10–3.35)] and those with long COVID [OR 10.31 (95% CI 1.32–80.70)], and 59% with reconfigured job plans continued to work more hours. More of those working full-time wished to retire early. A total of 59% experienced remote working, with a majority preference for continuing this in the future. In terms of vaccination, 95% had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 86% had received two doses by May 2021.

Conclusions

Burnout and long COVID is prevalent with impacts on working lives. Some groups are more at risk. Vaccination uptake is high and remote and flexible working were well received. Institutional interventions are needed to prevent workforce attrition.
Genetic resisters to antibiotics in Escherichia coli arise from the antibiotic surviving population containing three reactive oxygen species
Authors: Paul Avraneel , Nair Rashmi Ravindran , Ajitkumar Parthasarathi
Published: December 2021

Antibiotics exposed bacteria acquire genetic mutations and emerge as antibiotic resistant clones that thwart treatment of bacterial diseases. Genome-wide mutations are inflicted by the reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroxyl radical, formed in most of the antibiotic exposed bacteria. Hydroxyl radical is generated through Fenton reaction of Fe (II) with H2O2, which is formed by the dismutation of superoxide. This implied that antibiotic exposed bacteria would contain these three ROS, promoting resister generation. In the present study, we examined Escherichia coli exposed independently to gentamicin and moxifloxacin for the presence of the three ROS and consequential emergence of genetic resisters to the antibiotics. Here we show that the three ROS are formed in E. coli exposed independently to bactericidal concentrations of gentamicin and moxifloxacin for prolonged duration. Resisters to these antibiotics were found to emerge from the respective antibiotic surviving population. The antibiotic unexposed cultures did not show these responses. The Gram-positive ESKAPE pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus, also showed a response similar to that of E. coli upon prolonged exposure to bactericidal concentrations of rifampicin and moxifloxacin. The similar responses of E. coli and S. aureus to antibiotics indicated a common mechanism of ROS generation in the emergence of resisters against antibiotics.
Comprehensive Transcriptome Sequencing of Tanaidacea with Proteomic Evidences for Their Silk
Authors: Kakui Keiichi , Fleming James F , Mori Masaru , Fujiwara Yoshihiro , Arakawa Kazuharu
Published: December 2021

Tanaidaceans are small benthic crustaceans that mainly inhabit diverse marine environments, and they comprise one of the most diverse and abundant macrofaunal groups in the deep sea. Tanaidacea is one of the most thread-dependent taxa in the Crustacea, constructing tubes, spun with their silk, for shelter. In this work, we sequenced and assembled the comprehensive transcriptome of 23 tanaidaceans encompassing 14 families and 4 superfamilies of Tanaidacea, and performed silk proteomics of Zeuxo ezoensis to search for its silk genes. As a result, we identified two families of silk proteins that are conserved across the four superfamilies. The long and repetitive nature of these silk genes resembles that of other silk-producing organisms, and the two families of proteins are similar in composition to silkworm and caddisworm fibroins, respectively. Moreover, the amino acid composition of the repetitive motifs of tanaidacean silk tends to be more hydrophilic, and therefore could be a useful resource in studying their unique adaptation of silk use in a marine environment. The availability of comprehensive transcriptome data in these taxa, coupled with proteomic evidence of their silk genes, will facilitate evolutionary and ecological studies.
Olfactory receptor subgenome and expression in a highly olfactory procellariiform seabird
Authors: Sin Simon Yung Wa , Cloutier Alison , Nevitt Gabrielle , Edwards Scott V
Published: December 2021

Procellariiform seabirds rely on their sense of smell for foraging and homing. Both genomes and transcriptomes yield important clues about how olfactory receptor (OR) subgenomes are shaped by natural and sexual selection, yet no transcriptomes have been made of any olfactory epithelium of any bird species thus far. Here, we assembled a high-quality genome and nasal epithelium transcriptome of the Leach’s storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) to extensively characterize their OR repertoire. Using a depth-of-coverage-assisted counting method, we estimated over 160 intact OR genes (∼500 including OR fragments). This method reveals the highest number of intact OR genes and the lowest proportion of pseudogenes compared to other waterbirds studied, and suggests that rates of OR gene duplication vary between major clades of birds, with particularly high rates in passerines. OR expression patterns reveal two OR genes (OR6-6 and OR5-11) highly expressed in adults, and four OR genes (OR14-14, OR14-12, OR10-2, and OR14-9) differentially expressed between age classes of storm-petrels. All four genes differentially expressed between age classes were more highly expressed in chicks compared to adults, suggesting that OR genes may exhibit ontogenetic specializations. Three highly differentially expressed OR genes also had high copy number ratios, suggesting that expression variation may be linked to copy number in the genome. We provide better estimates of OR gene number by using a copy number-assisted counting method, and document ontogenetic changes in OR gene expression that may be linked to olfactory specialization. These results provide valuable insight into the expression, development, and macroevolution of olfaction in seabirds.
Between Concern and Difference: German Jews and the Colonial ‘Other’ in South West Africa
Authors: Avraham Doron
Published: December 2021

German Jews’ involvement in the colonial venture of the Kaiserreich has remained almost untouched by historical research. While it has affirmed the dominance of the nation-state in outlining the Jews’ civic status and identity, historiography has overlooked the implications of colonization on Jews’ self-perception as Germans. This essay inquires into this perception by focusing on the Jews’ ambiguous posture towards the colonial war in South West Africa and the massacre it inflicted on the Herero and the Nama. Jews objected to the excessive violence used against the indigenous population by the German army and responded vigorously against racist theories that imposed inferior racial status on black people in the colonies, and consequently on Jews in general. At the same time, when accused of lack of patriotism and of evading military service in the colonies—thus challenging their German national belonging—Jews presented the opposite position. They used concepts of difference to confirm their national German identity, as reflected by the purported disparity between them, as Germans and Europeans, and the local population in the colony. Moreover, Jews reasserted their participation in colonial conflicts, especially in the war against the Herero, the same war that brought about the locals’ destruction. The objects of a strategy of difference on behalf of Germans, Jews themselves applied the same approach in relation to the Africans. The colonial episode therefore appears to be a test case for the formation of German Jews’ identity.
Improving uptake of non-communicable disease screening in Sri Lanka: eliciting people’s preferences using a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Karunaratna Sumudu , Weerasinghe Manuj C , Ranasinghe Thushara , Jayasuriya Rohan , Chandraratne Nadeeka , Herath Hemantha , Quaife Matthew
Published: December 2021

A national programme to universally screen the population between 35 and 65 years for non-communicable diseases was established at ‘Healthy Lifestyle Centres (HLCs)’ in 2011 in Sri Lanka. Despite several efforts by policymakers, the uptake of screening remained <10% of the target population and with disparities in uptake across districts and among men and women. Considering service beneficiaries as a vital stakeholder, a discrete choice experiment was carried out to estimate people’s preference for a non-communicable disease screening service delivery model in rural, urban and estate sectors in a district in Sri Lanka. The choice design and the general survey questionnaire was developed through focus group discussions, literature reviews and stakeholder consultations. Data were collected by stratified random sampling, with 187 participants from the urban sector, 253 from the rural sector and 152 from the estate/plantation sector. People’s preference was assessed as utility estimates derived using multinomial logistic regression. Reliability was assessed within test among all study participants and with test–retest among 40 participants showed 80% precision. Urban and rural sectors gave the highest priority to workplace screening over screening at HLCs. The estates attributed the highest priority for cost-free screening. If cost-free screening is offered with having to spend 1–2 hours at the most preferred opening times for each sector with warm and friendly staff, the uptake of screening can predicted to be increased by 65, 29 and 21 times in urban, rural and estate sectors, respectively, relative to having to attend HLCs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., spending >2 hours and Rs. 1000 with unfriendly staff. Thus, people’s preferences on service delivery aspects seemed to have differed from government priorities. Preferences when ill and apparently healthy differed, as they preferred to spend less time and money when healthy than when ill.
Dysregulated mitochondrial and cytosolic tRNA m1A methylation in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shafik Andrew M , Zhou Huiqing , Lim Junghwa , Dickinson Bryan , Jin Peng
Published: December 2021

RNA modifications affect many aspects of RNA metabolism and are involved in the regulation of many different biological processes. Mono-methylation of adenosine in the N1 position, N1-methyladensoine (m1A), is a reversible modification that is known to target rRNAs and tRNAs. m1A has been shown to increase tRNA structural stability and induce correct tRNA folding. Recent studies have begun to associate the dysregulation of epitranscriptomic control with age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we applied the newly developed m1A-quant-seq approach to map the brain abundant m1A RNA modification in the cortex of an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, 5XFAD. We observed hypomethylation in both mitochondrial and cytosolic tRNAs in 5XFAD mice compared with wild type. Furthermore, the main enzymes responsible for the addition of m1A in mitochondrial (TRMT10C, HSD17B10) and cytosolic tRNAs (TRMT61A) displayed decreased expression in 5XFAD compared with wild-type mice. Knockdown of these enzymes results in a more severe phenotype in a Drosophila tau model, and differential m1A methylation is correlated with differences in mature mitochondrial tRNA expression. Collectively, this work suggests that hypo m1A modification in tRNAs may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.
Genetic landscape of human mitochondrial genome using whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Wang Yijing , Zhao Guihu , Fang Zhenghuan , Pan Hongxu , Zhao Yuwen , Wang Yige , Zhou Xun , Wang Xiaomeng , Luo Tengfei , Zhang Yi , Wang Zheng , Chen Qian , Dong Lijie , Huang Yuanfeng , Zhou Qiao , Xia Lu , Li Bin , Guo Jifeng , Xia Kun , Tang Beisha , Li Jinchen
Published: December 2021

Increasing evidences suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in diseases and aging, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is the most unbiased method in analyzing the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA). However, the genetic landscape of mtDNA in the Chinese population has not been fully examined. Here, we described the genetic landscape of mtDNA using WGS data from Chinese individuals (n = 3241). We identified 3892 mtDNA variants, of which 3349 (86%) were rare variants. Interestingly, we observed a trend toward extreme heterogeneity of mtDNA variants. Our study observed a distinct purifying selection on mtDNA, which inhibits the accumulation of harmful heteroplasmies at the individual level: (1) mitochondrial dN/dS ratios were much <1; (2) the dN/dS ratio of heteroplasmies was higher than homoplasmies; (3) heteroplasmies had more indels and predicted deleterious variants than homoplasmies. Furthermore, we found that haplogroup M (20.27%) and D (20.15%) had the highest frequencies in the Chinese population, followed by B (18.51%) and F (16.45%). The number of variants per individual differed across haplogroup groups, with a higher number of homoplasmies for the M lineage. Meanwhile, mtDNA copy number was negatively correlated with age but positively correlated with the female sex. Finally, we developed an mtDNA variation database of Chinese populations called MTCards (http://genemed.tech/mtcards/) to facilitate the query of mtDNA variants in this study. In summary, these findings contribute to different aspects of understanding mtDNA, providing a better understanding of the genetic basis of mitochondrial-related diseases.
The influence of preoperative dialysis on survival after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation
Authors: Lamba Harveen K , Musfee Fadi I , Chatterjee Subhasis , Nair Ajith P , Civitello Andrew B , Simpson Leo , Frazier O H , Letsou George V
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

Dialysis is considered a contraindication to continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation. We evaluated clinical outcomes and survival in carefully selected, low-risk patients with renal failure who required dialysis before CF-LVAD implantation.

METHODS

We extracted medical record data of patients who underwent CF-LVAD placement at our centre between 1 January 2006 and 31 August 2017, with 2 clinical scenarios: those who required long-term (>14 days) dialysis and those who required short-term (≤14 days) dialysis immediately before implantation. Demographic, clinical and intraoperative characteristics and survival outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 621 patients who underwent CF-LVAD implantation during the study period, 31 underwent dialysis beforehand. Of these, 17 required long-term dialysis (13 haemodialysis, 4 peritoneal dialysis), and 14 underwent short-term haemodialysis. Compared with the long-term dialysis patients, the short-term dialysis patients were more likely to be Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile 1–2 (92.9% vs 70.6%; P < 0.001), to have needed preoperative mechanical circulatory support (78.6% vs 70.6%; P < 0.01) and to have higher in-hospital mortality (85.7% vs 29.4%; P = 0.01). Patients stable on long-term dialysis had acceptable overall survival and markedly better 6-month and 1-year survival than those with short-term dialysis before implantation (64.7% vs 14.3% and 58.8% vs 7.1%, respectively; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Carefully selected patients who are stable on long-term dialysis have acceptable survival rates after CF-LVAD implantation. Patients with acute renal failure had much poorer outcomes than those with chronic end-stage renal disease.
Peace as Betrayal: On the Human Cost of Relational Peacebuilding in Transitional Contexts
Authors: Verwoerd Wilhelm , Little Alistair , Hamber Brandon
Published: December 2021

This article explores the micro-dynamics of intragroup betrayal and self-betrayal that can be evoked by relational peacebuilding between groups. The painful accusation of betrayal by close, family-type group members and internally feeling like a betrayer as a result of working with the ‘other side’ is presented as an underestimated human cost of relational peacebuilding. This understanding emerged from an international ‘Beyond Dehumanisation’ research project, which included experienced peace practitioners from South Africa, the Israel-Palestine region and the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. The emerging diagnostic framework is supported by (and provides empirical support for) theories of betrayal that stress how deeply relational betrayal is. The resonance with Margalit’s theory of betrayal as the ‘undermining of thick relations’ is especially strong. ‘Peace as betrayal’ suggests the need for more practical support for peacebuilders and can also be applied more widely to render resistance to transitional justice processes more visible.
Gender-sensitive word embeddings for healthcare
Authors: Agmon Shunit , Gillis Plia , Horvitz Eric , Radinsky Kira
Published: December 2021

Objective

To analyze gender bias in clinical trials, to design an algorithm that mitigates the effects of biases of gender representation on natural-language (NLP) systems trained on text drawn from clinical trials, and to evaluate its performance.

Materials and Methods

We analyze gender bias in clinical trials described by 16 772 PubMed abstracts (2008–2018). We present a method to augment word embeddings, the core building block of NLP-centric representations, by weighting abstracts by the number of women participants in the trial. We evaluate the resulting gender-sensitive embeddings performance on several clinical prediction tasks: comorbidity classification, hospital length of stay prediction, and intensive care unit (ICU) readmission prediction.

Results

For female patients, the gender-sensitive model area under the receiver-operator characteristic (AUROC) is 0.86 versus the baseline of 0.81 for comorbidity classification, mean absolute error 4.59 versus the baseline of 4.66 for length of stay prediction, and AUROC 0.69 versus 0.67 for ICU readmission. All results are statistically significant.

Discussion

Women have been underrepresented in clinical trials. Thus, using the broad clinical trials literature as training data for statistical language models could result in biased models, with deficits in knowledge about women. The method presented enables gender-sensitive use of publications as training data for word embeddings. In experiments, the gender-sensitive embeddings show better performance than baseline embeddings for the clinical tasks studied. The results highlight opportunities for recognizing and addressing gender and other representational biases in the clinical trials literature.

Conclusion

Addressing representational biases in data for training NLP embeddings can lead to better results on downstream tasks for underrepresented populations.
Tangential Immersion: Increasing Persistence in Boring Consumer Behaviors
Authors: Lieberman Alicea , Morales Andrea C , Amir On
Published: December 2021

Consumers’ lives are filled with myriad behaviors that can be successfully executed with minimal attention. Many such low-attention behaviors benefit from persistence but are often not performed long enough (e.g., hygiene, exercise). The current work examines consumer persistence-failures through an attentional lens. Specifically, drawing on boredom and resource-matching frameworks, we suggest one key driver of poor consumer persistence is that many behaviors demand less attention than consumers have available, leaving excess attention that leads to boredom and premature abandonment. The current research thus proposes an attention-matching framework for persistence and suggests that concurrently performing a task that engages excess attention will improve the match between attentional demands and available resources, thereby increasing persistence. Five experiments across a range of low-attention behaviors (e.g., toothbrushing, coordination exercise) demonstrate that concurrently performing a task that occupies excess attention (e.g., reading, listening), delays boredom and increases persistence. Moreover, two important boundary conditions arise. First, the focal behavior must require minimal attention, leaving excess attention available to attend to the tangential task. Second, the tangential task must engage excess attention without exceeding attentional capacity. This research provides important theoretical and practical contributions, offering the potential to improve consumer well-being by increasing persistence in low-attention behaviors.
Leaf microscopy applications in photosynthesis research: identifying the gaps
Authors: Khoshravesh Roxana , Hoffmann Natalie , Hanson David T
Published: December 2021

Leaf imaging via microscopy has provided critical insights into research on photosynthesis at multiple junctures, from the early understanding of the role of stomata, through elucidating C4 photosynthesis via Kranz anatomy and chloroplast arrangement in single cells, to detailed explorations of diffusion pathways and light utilization gradients within leaves. In recent decades, the original two-dimensional (2D) explorations have begun to be visualized in three-dimensional (3D) space, revising our understanding of structure–function relationships between internal leaf anatomy and photosynthesis. In particular, advancing new technologies and analyses are providing fresh insight into the relationship between leaf cellular components and improving the ability to model net carbon fixation, water use efficiency, and metabolite turnover rate in leaves. While ground-breaking developments in imaging tools and techniques have expanded our knowledge of leaf 3D structure via high-resolution 3D and time-series images, there is a growing need for more in vivo imaging as well as metabolite imaging. However, these advances necessitate further improvement in microscopy sciences to overcome the unique challenges a green leaf poses. In this review, we discuss the available tools, techniques, challenges, and gaps for efficient in vivo leaf 3D imaging, as well as innovations to overcome these difficulties.
Impact of point spread function higher moments error on weak gravitational lensing
Authors: Zhang Tianqing , Mandelbaum Rachel ,   The LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration, Kannawadi Arun , Miyatake Hironao , Astier Pierre , Jarvis Mike , Meyers Josh , Schmitz Morgan , Clowe Douglas
Published: December 2021

Weak gravitational lensing is one of the most powerful tools for cosmology, while subject to challenges in quantifying subtle systematic biases. The point spread function (PSF) can cause biases in weak lensing shear inference when the PSF model does not match the true PSF that is convolved with the galaxy light profile. Although the effect of PSF size and shape errors – i.e. errors in second moments – is well studied, weak lensing systematics associated with errors in higher moments of the PSF model require further investigation. The goal of our study is to estimate their potential impact for LSST weak lensing analysis. We go beyond second moments of the PSF by using image simulations to relate multiplicative bias in shear to errors in the higher moments of the PSF model. We find that the current level of errors in higher moments of the PSF model in data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam survey can induce a ∼0.05 per cent shear bias, making this effect unimportant for ongoing surveys but relevant at the precision of upcoming surveys such as LSST.
Unravelling the foretime of GRS 1915+105 using AstroSat observations: Wide-band spectral and temporal characteristics
Authors: Athulya M P , Radhika D , Agrawal V K , Ravishankar B T , Naik Sachindra , Mandal Samir , Nandi Anuj
Published: December 2021

We present a comprehensive study of GRS 1915+105 in wide-energy band (0.5–60 keV) using AstroSat – SXT and LAXPC observations during the period of 2016–2019. The MAXI X-ray light curve of the source shows rise and decay profiles similar to canonical outbursting black holes. However, the source does not follow the exemplary ‘q’-diagram in the hardness–intensity diagram. Model independent analysis of light curves suggest that GRS 1915+105 displays various types of variability classes (δ, χ, ρ, κ, ω, and γ). We also report possible transitions from one class to another (χ → ρ, ρ → κ via an ‘unknown’ class and ω → γ → ω + γ) within a few hours duration. Detailed ‘spectrotemporal’ analysis indicates a gradual increase in the photon index (Γ) from 1.83 to 3.8, disc temperature (kTin) from 1.33 to 2.67 keV, and quasi-periodic oscillation frequency (ν) from 4 to 5.64 Hz during the rise, while the parameters decrease to Γ ∼1.18, kTin ∼1.18 keV, and ν ∼1.38 Hz, respectively, in the decline phase. The source shows maximum bolometric luminosity (Lbol) during the peak at ∼36 per cent of Eddington luminosity (LEdd), and a minimum of ∼2.4 per cent of LEdd during the decay phase. Further evolution of the source towards an obscured low-luminosity (Lbol of ∼1 per cent LEdd) phase, with a decrease in the intrinsic bolometric luminosity of the source due to obscuration, has also been indicated from our analysis. The implication of our results are discussed in the context of accretion disc dynamics around the black hole.
Atmospheric mass loss and stellar wind effects in young and old systems – II. Is TOI-942 the past of TOI-421 system?
Authors: Kubyshkina Daria , Vidotto Aline A , Villarreal D’Angelo Carolina , Carolan Stephen , Hazra Gopal , Carleo Ilaria
Published: December 2021

The two planetary systems, TOI-942 and TOI-421, share many similar characteristics, apart from their ages (50 Myr and 9 Gyr). Each of the stars hosts two sub-Neptune-like planets at similar orbits and in similar mass ranges. In this paper, we aim to investigate whether the similarity of the host stars and configuration of the planetary systems can be taken as proof that the two systems were formed and evolved in a similar way. In paper I of this series, we performed a comparative study of these two systems using three-dimensional (3D) modelling of atmospheric escape and its interaction with the stellar wind, for the four planets. We demonstrated that though the strong wind of the young star has a crucial effect on observable signatures, its effect on the atmospheric mass loss is minor in the evolutionary context. Here, we use atmosphere evolution models to track the evolution of planets in the younger system TOI-942 and also to constrain the past of the TOI-421 system. We demonstrate that despite all the similarities, the two planetary systems are on two very different evolutionary pathways. The inner planet in the younger system, TOI-942, will likely lose all of its atmosphere and become a super-Earth-like planet, while the outer planet will become a typical sub-Neptune. Concerning the older system, TOI-421, our evolution modelling suggests that they must have started their evolution with very substantial envelopes, which can be a hint of formation beyond the snow line.
Neural-network assisted study of nitrogen atom dynamics on amorphous solid water – II. Diffusion
Authors: Zaverkin Viktor , Molpeceres Germán , Kästner Johannes
Published: December 2021

The diffusion of atoms and radicals on interstellar dust grains is a fundamental ingredient for predicting accurate molecular abundances in astronomical environments. Quantitative values of diffusivity and diffusion barriers usually rely heavily on empirical rules. In this paper, we compute the diffusion coefficients of adsorbed nitrogen atoms by combining machine learned interatomic potentials, metadynamics, and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. With this approach, we obtain a diffusion coefficient of nitrogen atoms on the surface of amorphous solid water of merely $(3.5 \pm 1.1)\, \times 10^{-34}$ cm2 s−1 at 10 K for a bare ice surface. Thus, we find that nitrogen, as a paradigmatic case for light and weakly bound adsorbates, is unable to diffuse on bare amorphous solid water at 10 K. Surface coverage has a strong effect on the diffusion coefficient by modulating its value over 9–12 orders of magnitude at 10 K and enables diffusion for specific conditions. In addition, we have found that atom tunnelling has a negligible effect. Average diffusion barriers of the potential energy surface (2.56 kJ mol−1) differ strongly from the effective diffusion barrier obtained from the diffusion coefficient for a bare surface (6.06 kJ mol−1) and are, thus, inappropriate for diffusion modelling. Our findings suggest that the thermal diffusion of N on water ice is a process that is highly dependent on the physical conditions of the ice.
First evidence of a collision between two unrelated open clusters in the Milky Way
Authors: Piatti Andrés E , Malhan Khyati
Published: December 2021

We report the first evidence of an ongoing collision between two star clusters in our Galaxy, namely IC 4665 and Collinder 350. These are open clusters located at a distance of ∼330 pc from the Sun and ∼100 pc above the Galactic plane, and they both have prograde motions with only a small difference in their velocities (Collinder 350 moves $\sim 5\, \rm {km\, s^{-1}}$ faster than IC 4665); as inferred from ESA/Gaia based catalogue. Interestingly, the two clusters are physically separated by only ∼36 pc in space; a distance that is smaller than the sum of their respective radii. Furthermore, the clusters exhibit signatures of elongated stellar density distributions, and we also detect an onset of an inter-cluster stellar bridge. Moreover, the orbit analysis suggests that the younger cluster IC 4665 (age = 53 Myr) must have formed at a distance >500 pc away from Collinder 350 (age = 617 Myr). These findings together imply that the two clusters do not represent merging of two objects in a binary system; rather, what we are witnessing is an actual collision between two independently formed star clusters. This collision phenomenon provides a unique opportunity to explore new aspects of formation and evolution theory of star clusters.
Endosperm Evolution by Duplicated and Neofunctionalized Type I MADS-Box Transcription Factors
Authors: Qiu Yichun , Köhler Claudia
Published: December 2021

MADS-box transcription factors (TFs) are present in nearly all major eukaryotic groups. They are divided into Type I and Type II that differ in domain structure, functional roles, and rates of evolution. In flowering plants, major evolutionary innovations like flowers, ovules, and fruits have been closely connected to Type II MADS-box TFs. The role of Type I MADS-box TFs in angiosperm evolution remains to be identified. Here, we show that the formation of angiosperm-specific Type I MADS-box clades of Mγ and Mγ-interacting Mα genes (Mα*) can be tracked back to the ancestor of all angiosperms. Angiosperm-specific Mγ and Mα* genes were preferentially expressed in the endosperm, consistent with their proposed function as heterodimers in the angiosperm-specific embryo nourishing endosperm tissue. We propose that duplication and diversification of Type I MADS genes underpin the evolution of the endosperm, a developmental innovation closely connected to the origin and success of angiosperms.
Disrupting the Cdk9/Cyclin T1 heterodimer of 7SK snRNP for the Brd4 and AFF1/4 guided reconstitution of active P-TEFb
Authors: Zhou Kai , Zhuang Songkuan , Liu Fulong , Chen Yanheng , Li You , Wang Shihui , Li Yuxuan , Wen Huixin , Lin Xiaohua , Wang Jie , Huang Yue , He Cailing , Xu Nan , Li Zongshu , Xu Lang , Zhang Zixuan , Chen Lin-Feng , Chen Ruichuan , Liu Min
Published: December 2021

P-TEFb modulates RNA polymerase II elongation through alternative interaction with negative and positive regulation factors. While inactive P-TEFbs are mainly sequestered in the 7SK snRNP complex in a chromatin-free state, most of its active forms are in complex with its recruitment factors, Brd4 and SEC, in a chromatin-associated state. Thus, switching from inactive 7SK snRNP to active P-TEFb (Brd4/P-TEFb or SEC/P-TEFb) is essential for global gene expression. Although it has been shown that cellular signaling stimulates the disruption of 7SK snRNP, releasing dephosphorylated and catalytically inactive P-TEFb, little is known about how the inactive released P-TEFb is reactivated. Here, we show that the Cdk9/CycT1 heterodimer released from 7SK snRNP is completely dissociated into monomers in response to stress. Brd4 or SEC then recruits monomerized Cdk9 and CycT1 to reassemble the core P-TEFb. Meanwhile, the binding of monomeric dephosphorylated Cdk9 to either Brd4 or SEC induces the autophosphorylation of T186 of Cdk9. Finally, the same mechanism is employed during nocodazole released entry into early G1 phase of cell cycle. Therefore, our studies demonstrate a novel mechanism by which Cdk9 and CycT1 monomers are reassembled on chromatin to form active P-TEFb by its interaction with Brd4 or SEC to regulate transcription.
A minimal motif for sequence recognition by mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM)
Authors: Choi Woo Suk , Garcia-Diaz Miguel
Published: December 2021

Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) plays a critical role in mitochondrial transcription initiation and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) packaging. Both functions require DNA binding, but in one case TFAM must recognize a specific promoter sequence, while packaging requires coating of mtDNA by association with non sequence-specific regions. The mechanisms by which TFAM achieves both sequence-specific and non sequence-specific recognition have not yet been determined. Existing crystal structures of TFAM bound to DNA allowed us to identify two guanine-specific interactions that are established between TFAM and the bound DNA. These interactions are observed when TFAM is bound to both specific promoter sequences and non-sequence specific DNA. These interactions are established with two guanine bases separated by 10 random nucleotides (GN10G). Our biochemical results demonstrate that the GN10G consensus is essential for transcriptional initiation and contributes to facilitating TFAM binding to DNA substrates. Furthermore, we report a crystal structure of TFAM in complex with a non sequence-specific sequence containing a GN10G consensus. The structure reveals a unique arrangement in which TFAM bridges two DNA substrates while maintaining the GN10G interactions. We propose that the GN10G consensus is key to facilitate the interaction of TFAM with DNA.
The C nucleotide at the mature 5′ end of the Escherichia coli proline tRNAs is required for the RNase E cleavage specificity at the 3′ terminus as well as functionality
Authors: Mohanty Bijoy K , Maples Valerie , Kushner Sidney R
Published: December 2021

Proline tRNA 3′-maturation in Escherichia coli occurs through a one-step RNase E endonucleolytic cleavage immediately after the CCA determinant. This processing pathway is distinct from the 3′-end maturation of the other tRNAs by avoiding the widespread use of 3′ → 5′ exonucleolytic processing, 3′-polyadenylation and subsequent degradation. Here, we show that the cytosine (C) at the mature 5′-terminus of the proK and proL tRNAs is required for both the RNase E cleavage immediately after the CCA determinant and their functionality. Thus, changing the C nucleotide at the mature 5′-terminus of the proL and proK tRNAs to the more common G nucleotide led to RNase E cleavages 1–4 nucleotides downstream of the CCA determinant. Furthermore, the 5′-modified mutant tRNAs required RNase T and RNase PH for their 3′-maturation and became substrates for polyadenylation and degradation. Strikingly, the aminoacylation of the 5′-modified proline tRNAs was blocked due to the change in the recognition element for prolyl-tRNA-synthetase. An analogous modification of the pheV 5′-mature terminus from G to C nucleotide did not support cell viability. This result provides additional support for the importance of first nucleotide of the mature tRNAs in their processing and functionality.