bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Robinson Forest environmental monitoring network: Long‐term evaluation of streamflow and precipitation quantity and stream‐water and bulk deposition chemistry in eastern Kentucky watersheds
Authors: Sena Kenton L. , Williamson Tanja N. , Barton Christopher D.
Published: March 2021

The University of Kentucky (U KY) has owned Robinson Forest (37.460723° N, 83.158598° W) since 1923, conducting experiments crucial to understanding the environmental effects of land management in the region. Part of the management of Robinson Forest has been collection of environmental data, including precipitation quantity, bulk‐deposition chemistry, streamflow, stream‐water chemistry, and air and stream temperature. Over the years, these data have been collected and archived using various technologies and have been mostly inaccessible for research use – unedited and uncompiled, scattered across several spreadsheets and paper records. Through a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U KY, daily precipitation data for six stations and stream data from four watersheds in Robinson Forest have been compiled for 1971–2018, checked for transcription errors, and annotated for changes in methodologies. These data are available as a USGS data release at https://doi.org/10.5066/P9FPLG1O. Improved accessibility of this data set provides an important research resource for understanding water quality in minimally effected forests in the region. Preliminary results indicate that these data present a valuable opportunity to evaluate linkages among atmospheric deposition and stream chemistry, the effects of environmental policy, such as the Clean Air Act, and effects from nearby land disturbance in the form of surface mining. Furthermore, these data fill a geographic and physiographic gap in what is available to examine deposition and streamflow patterns over the last 45 years, supplementing those long‐term records of research sites in northern (e.g., Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest), central (e.g., Fernow Experimental Forest) and southern Appalachia (e.g., Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory). As an oasis in the midst of significant surface mining activity, Robinson Forest presents a unique opportunity to understand environmental conditions characteristic of minimally disturbed forests similar to pre‐mining conditions in the Central Appalachian region.
Records of hydrological change and environmental disasters in sediments from deep Lake Issyk‐Kul
Authors: Wang Jingzhong , Wu Jinglu , Zhan Shuie , Zhou Jianchao
Published: March 2021

In the context of global warming, the mountainous areas of Central Asia are sensitive to climate and environmental changes and are highly vulnerable to natural disasters. Here, we use high‐resolution lacustrine grain‐size and geochemical records from Lake Issyk‐Kul to infer hydrological changes, environmental events, and their driving factors in the western Tianshan Mountains of Central Asia over the last 350 years. The regional hydrological and environmental changes can be divided into three phases. In stage I (1674–1860 AD), the values of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and magnetic susceptibility (MS) were high, and the element contents changed indistinctively, suggesting that lake water levels were relatively stable. In Stage II (1860–2000 AD), the TOC and TN contents increased, the MS values decreased, and the grain size changed markedly, suggesting that water levels fluctuated dramatically. In Stage III (2000–2013 AD), the coarse particle and migratory element contents increased dramatically, indicating that regional rainfall and runoff increased and that the water level rose. Studies have also shown that the synchronous increases in sedimentary coarse particles, TOC and migratory elements indicate multiple flood events. Extreme floods have been frequent and intense in recent years, which indicates that the climate is generally warming, which is in good agreement with tree ring data, ice core records and other sediment records in alpine regions. Additionally, the lake sediments recorded a seismic event in approximately 1910 AD, which was consistent with historical documentation. Comparative analysis of records suggests that the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation is one of the dominant factors driving climate and hydrological changes in the study area. Climate change, combined with natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes) and anthropogenic activities, is generating extreme floods and variations in hydrological patterns in the mountain basin. These findings can provide crucial information about sedimentary physicochemical clues for tracking past hydrological and environmental conditions and contribute to a better understanding of hydrological processes and driving factors in the mountainous areas of Central Asia.
La‐H‐zeolites: efficient catalysts for acetic acid ketonic decarboxylation and esterification
Authors: Mitran Gheorghiţa , Chen Shaojiang , Huang Wenyu , Seo Dong‐Kyun
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Cyclohexyl acetate and acetone are used as environmentally friendly solvents, while isobutene acts as an intermediate in the production of methacrolein, ethers, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Two La‐zeolite catalysts have been studied for converting acetic acid to cyclohexyl acetate, acetone and isobutene.

RESULTS

La‐based zeolites were synthesized from Na‐nFAU zeolites by ammonium ion exchange, followed by lanthanum ion exchange. The influence of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites on the activity in acetic acid esterification with cyclohexanol and in ketonic decarboxylation of acetic acid was studied. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of pyridine adsorption has been used for acid site evaluation. The presence of Brønsted acid sites on the surface leads to an increase in cyclohexyl acetate and acetone selectivity, while the presence of Lewis acidity favors further transformation of acetone in isobutene.

CONCLUSION

The sample with the highest Brønsted acidity and the highest content in both La and Al, namely La‐H‐13X, showed the highest activity for both acetic acid esterification and ketonic decarboxylation – an indication that Brønsted acidity is very important for the studied reactions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
One size does not fit all: Toward regional conservation practice guidance to reduce phosphorus loss risk in the Lake Erie watershed
Authors: Macrae Merrin , Jarvie Helen , Brouwer Roy , Gunn Grant , Reid Keith , Joosse Pam , King Kevin , Kleinman Peter , Smith Doug , Williams Mark , Zwonitzer Martha
Published: March 2021

Agricultural phosphorus (P) losses to surface water bodies remain a global eutrophication concern, despite the application of conservation practices on farm fields. Although it is generally agreed upon that the use of multiple conservation practices (“stacking”) will lead to greater improvements to water quality, this may not be cost effective to farmers, reducing the likelihood of adoption. At present, wholesale recommendations of conservation practices are given; however, the application of specific conservation practices in certain environments (e.g., no‐till with surface application, cover crops) may not be effective and can even lead to unintended consequences. In this paper, we present the Lake Erie watershed as a case study. The Lake Erie watershed contains regions with unique physical geographies that include differences in climate, soil, topography, and land use, which have implications for both P transport from agricultural fields and the efficacy of conservation practices in mitigating P losses. We define major regions within the Lake Erie watershed where common strategies for conservation practice implementation are appropriate, and we propose a five‐step plan for bringing regionally tailored, adaptive, and cost‐conscious conservation practice into watershed planning. Although this paper is specific to the Lake Erie watershed, our framework can be transferred across broader geographic regions to provide guidance for watershed planning.
Long‐term effect of poultry litter application on phosphorus balances and runoff losses
Authors: Bos Janae , Williams Mark , Smith Douglas , Armstrong Shalamar , Harmel Daren
Published: March 2021

Assessment of annual and cumulative impacts of phosphorus (P) management strategies at field and watershed scales is needed to improve crop use efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. The objectives of this study were (a) to assess relationships among P balance, soil test P (STP) concentration, and runoff dissolved reactive P (DRP) concentration from fields receiving different poultry litter application rates (0.0–13.4 Mg ha–1) and (b) to determine the effect of long‐term poultry litter application to fields on watershed DRP loss. Nutrient management practices, crop yield, STP, and runoff losses were assessed from nine fields and two watersheds located near Riesel, TX, from 2000 to 2015. Field‐scale P balances were largely controlled by P application rate and exhibited a positive relationship with STP and runoff DRP flow‐weighted mean concentration. Using a before‐after control‐impact experimental design that included monitoring at both field and watershed scales showed the influence of field P management on watershed DRP loss varied according to both source (i.e., P application rate, impacted area) and transport (i.e., hydrological connectivity) factors. Increased risk of watershed DRP loss was observed during wet years and years with two poultry litter applications to fields within the watershed. The percentage of the total watershed area receiving high rates of poultry litter also played a critical role in determining the risk of DRP loss. Findings highlight the impact of long‐term P management strategies on DRP loss at both field and watershed scales and show the importance of incorporating hydrologic connectivity when assessing conservation effects on water quality.
The effects of physical prehabilitation: Improved liver regeneration and mitochondrial function after ALPPS operation in a rodent model
Authors: Fard‐Aghaie Mohammad H. , Budai Andras , Daradics Noemi , Horvath Gergo , Oldhafer Karl J. , Szijarto Attila , Fulop Andras
Published: March 2021

Background

To identify the role of physical prehabilitation (PP) in liver regeneration, mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and inflammatory response was investigated after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) in a rodent model.

Methods

Male Wistar rats (n = 60) underwent ALPPS. Animals were divided (n = 30) to the physical prehabilitation group (PP) and sedentary group (S). The animals were exsanguinated before (0 hour) and 24, 48, 72, or 168 hours after the operation. Regeneration rate and proliferation index were assessed. Mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and inflammatory response were evaluated.

Results

Regeneration rate and Ki67 index were significantly increased in the PP group compared to the S group (P < .001). Due to the changes in oxidative capacity and ATP production rate, the P/O ratio of PP group compared to the S group was significantly increased (P < .05). PP group was characterized by accelerated mitochondrial biogenesis and less intense inflammatory response compared to the S group.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the beneficial effects of PP on liver regeneration, mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and the inflammatory response after ALPPS.
Cold‐spray ionization mass spectrometry of the choline chloride‐urea deep eutectic solvent (reline)
Authors: Percevault Lucie , Delhaye Thomas , Chaumont Alain , Schurhammer Rachel , Paquin Ludovic , Rondeau David
Published: March 2021

Cold‐Spray Ionization mass spectrometry (CSI‐MS) that can be compared to an electrospray ionization (ESI) source acting with a nebulizing gas cooled by liquid nitrogen is used for analyzing reline as Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES). The association of cholinium chloride salts with urea molecules is evidenced in negative CSI‐MS through the chloride adduct formation. The structure of the supramolecular assemblies forming the reline ions that are observed on CSI mass spectra is rationalized by chemical quantum calculations. The theoretical studies indicate that the ionic network organization is only supported by a maximization of hydrogen bonds of the chlorides with the hydroxyl and methyl moieties of the cholinium cations and the amino groups of urea. The studies of gas‐phase fragmentation of the supra‐molecular ionic assemblies detected in CSI‐MS are performed using the in‐source collision‐induced dissociation experiments. The experimental measurements in CSI‐MS, interpreted at the light of the molecular modelization results, suggest that the insertion of urea in adducts of chlorides with cholinium cations does not lead to the most stable ions.
Nitrate‐rich diet alters the composition of the oral microbiota in periodontal recall patients
Authors: Jockel‐Schneider Yvonne , Schlagenhauf Ulrich , Stölzel Peggy , Goßner Sophia , Carle Reinhold , Ehmke Benjamin , Prior Karola , Hagenfeld Daniel
Published: March 2021

Background

This follow‐up study evaluated microbiome changes in periodontal recall patients after consuming a nitrate‐rich diet that led to a marked decrease of gingival inflammation.

Methods

Subgingival microbial samples of 37 patients suffering from gingival inflammation with reduced periodontium were taken before professional mechanical plaque removal (baseline) and subsequently after 2 weeks of regularly consuming a lettuce juice beverage (day 14) containing a daily dosage of 200 mg of nitrate (test group, n = 18) or being void of nitrate (placebo group, n = 19). Three hundred base pairs paired‐end sequencing of the V3‒V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rDNA was performed.

Results

At baseline, there were no significant differences about the bacterial diversity parameters between the groups (Mann‐Whitney U test). After intervention in the test group, Rothia and Neisseria, including species reducing nitrate, increased significantly (negative binomial regression model). Alpha diversity decreased significantly from 115.69 ± 24.30 to 96.42 ± 24.82 aRSVs/sample (P = 0.04, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test), accompanied by a significant change in beta diversity (P < 0.001, PERMANOVA). In the control group, however, no genus changed significantly, and alpha‐, as well as beta‐diversity did not change significantly.

Conclusions

The decrease of gingival inflammation in periodontal recall patients induced by a nitrate‐rich diet is accompanied by significant compositional changes within the subgingival microbiome.
Correspondence Between Retrospective and Momentary Self‐Reported Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: Evidence for Peak and End Effects in Veterans
Authors: Decker Suzanne E. , Rosen Marc I. , Cooney Ned L. , Schnurr Paula P. , Black Anne C.
Published: March 2021

Validated retrospective self‐report symptom rating scales are recommended for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening and treatment. However, such reports may be affected by a respondent's most intense (“peak”) or most recent (“end”) symptoms. The present study evaluated the correspondence between PTSD symptoms assessed using a standard past‐month retrospective rating scale and recorded by ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over the same period and tested hypotheses that retrospective scores would be predicted by peak and end‐period momentary symptoms. Male U.S. veterans (N = 35) who served post‐9/11 completed the PTSD Symptom Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) at baseline and 1 month later. For 28 days during the intervening period, they received quasi‐randomly timed text prompts to complete a modified version of the PCL‐5 at that moment. Using multiple regression modeling, controlling for the number of completed EMAs and time (days) since the last EMA, we assessed the predictability of follow‐up retrospective PCL‐5 scores by (a) the mean of all momentary scores and (b) peak and last‐day momentary scores. Retrospective PCL‐5 scores were closest to peak scores, d = −0.31, and substantially higher than overall mean, d = 0.99, and last‐day momentary scores, d = 0.94. In the regression model, peak symptom experiences and last‐day momentary symptoms uniquely predicted follow‐up PCL‐5 scores over and above significant prediction by overall mean momentary symptom scores. In sum, participants’ self‐reported past‐month PTSD symptom severity did not simply reflect an average over time. Additional questioning is needed to understand peak and recent symptom periods reflected in these estimates.
Sustainable Thermoplastic Elastomers Derived from Lignin Bio‐Oils via an ABA Triblock Copolymer Strategy
Authors: Chen Xiaofan , Zhou Zhou , Zhang Hao , Mao Yipeng , Luo Zhenyang , Li Xiang , Sha Ye
Published: March 2021

A lignin‐derived polyacrylate, namely, poly(guaiacyl acrylate) (PGA), is evaluated as an end block in linear ABA triblock copolymer‐based sustainable thermoplastic elastomers. Triblock copolymers containing a rubbery poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) midblock and glassy PGA end blocks are prepared via Cu(0)‐mediated living radical polymerization or single electron transfer living radical polymerization. A suite of triblock copolymers with different block ratios and a constant end block molecular weight is prepared. Even a low‐end block content (<5% mole ratio) can significantly increase the material's mechanical strength (3–7 folds) and long elongation at break. The enhanced mechanical properties are attributed to microphase separation morphologies evidenced by calorimetric and scattering analyses. These elastomers also exhibit enhanced thermal stability compared with that of their parent homopolymers.
Essential self‐adjointness of perturbed quadharmonic operators on Riemannian manifolds with an application to the separation problem
Authors: Saratchandran Hemanth
Published: March 2021

We consider perturbed quadharmonic operators, , acting on sections of a Hermitian vector bundle over a complete Riemannian manifold, with the potential V satisfying a bound from below by a non‐positive function depending on the distance from a point. Under a bounded geometry assumption on the Hermitian vector bundle and the underlying Riemannian manifold, we give a sufficient condition for the essential self‐adjointness of such operators. We then apply this to prove the separation property in L2 when the perturbed operator acts on functions.
Culturally responsive resource hub to support MH for communities of color
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2021

Observing a goal to connect people with culturally and linguistically appropriate services and overcome disparities in accessing behavioral health services for communities of color, the Network of Care Massachusetts on March 16 launched a collection of support groups, therapist directories and culturally responsive clinics and programs and other resources.
Bio‐derived nanomaterials for energy storage and conversion
Authors: Powell Matthew Dalton , LaCoste Jed Donavan , Fetrow Christopher James , Fei Ling , Wei Shuya
Published: March 2021

This review covers recent progress and advancements in bio‐templating nanomaterials for use in energy applications. Viruses, bacteria, and fungus, as well as plant and animal biomasses such as woods, coffee grounds, and crab shells, can be used as the templates or carbon sources for metal‐ and carbon‐based nanomaterials. Here we provide an overview of each of these materials as a template, with emphasis on the synthesis methods and qualities of nanomaterials fabricated using these templates. Research in this field is understandably diverse, as such, we aim to further its development by providing a timely summary of current research. We anticipate that this field will continue to prove highly applicable to the salient and growing topics of renewable energy.
False‐positive cases in multiple sleep latency test by accumulated sleep debt
Authors: Kizawa Tetsuya , Hosokawa Keisuke , Nishijima Tsuguo , Takahashi Susumu , Shimizu Tetsuo , Ono Taisuke , Han GoEun , Kanbayashi Takashi , Sakurai Shigeru , Kondo Hideaki
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) is performed as objective assessment of sleepiness, on the following day after polysomnography (PSG). In most clinics, patients are required to stay for 2 days. However, if patients have chronic sleep debt before the examination, even if they get adequate nocturnal sleep during the initial PSG, their sleep debt would not be fully resolved, affecting MSLT results. This may lead to improper administration of psycho‐stimulant medication. To clarify the sleep debt for the patients who showed short sleep latencies, we compared the mean sleep latencies of MSLTs.

Methods

Twelve hypersomnolent males, who underwent MSLTs (1st MSLT with 1 night and 2nd MSLT with more than 3 nights), were enrolled. We selected these cases based on the longer total sleep time on PSG night compared to the mean total sleep time on pre‐examination sleep logs and shortened sleep latencies on PSG. To evaluate the effect of the sleep debt for the patients who showed short sleep latencies, we extended their hospitalization or re‐hospitalized them.

Results

The mean sleep latency of 1st MSLT was 5.8 minutes and that of 2nd was 13.9 minutes (P < .001). Among these 12 cases, 5 cases altered from short to normal sleep latencies at the 2nd MSLT. These 5 cases were prevented from over‐diagnoses by the extension of evaluations.

Conclusions

The sleep debt may produce false‐positive results when patients are examined by standard PSG and MSLT. Accumulation of sleep debt will cause shortened sleep latencies in the following nights. Patients should be advised to extend their hospitalization before PSG and MSLT to reduce the chronic sleep debt for accurate diagnosis of hypersomnia.
Conceptualizing the commercial determinants of dietary behaviors associated with obesity: A systematic review using principles from critical interpretative synthesis
Authors: Chavez‐Ugalde Yanaina , Jago Russell , Toumpakari Zoi , Egan Matt , Cummins Steven , White Martin , Hulls Paige , De Vocht Frank
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Unhealthy diet is an important preventable risk factor for overweight and obesity. Identifying the key drivers of an unhealthy diet is an important public health aim. “Big Food” has been identified as an influential factor shaping dietary behavior and obesity, and their practices have broadly been labeled as the “commercial determinants of obesity,” but there is a lack of definitions and conceptualizations for these terms. This review aimed to synthesize literature on the commercial determinants of dietary behavior associated with obesity. It presents the development of an integrative definition and a conceptual framework involving potential influences on dietary behavior, and it examines the prevalence of certain narratives within papers that focus on children and adolescents.

Methods

Four electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched up to December 2020. Eighty‐one articles met the inclusion criteria: they were published in a peer‐reviewed academic journal, described a practice from the food/beverage industry in relation to dietary behavior or obesity. Data were integrated using critical interpretative synthesis.

Results

The commercial determinants of dietary behavior are conceptualized in terms of three corporate spheres of action—political and legal; production, processing and design; and marketing and preference shaping—which enable powerful food industry to successfully pursue their business, market, and political objectives. The most frequently reported sphere of action targeting children and adolescents wasmarketing and preference shaping.

Conclusions

In the included literature, the commercial determinants of dietary behavior associated with obesity have been conceptualized as being part of a complex system where corporate practices are enabled by power structures. The proposed framework can facilitate a structured identification and systematic study of the impact of specific aspects of food industry's strategies and increase opportunities for primary prevention by anticipating industry responses and by discouraging corporate practices that harm health.
Serotonin system genes contribute to the susceptibility to obesity in Black adolescents
Authors: Meng Ying , Groth Susan W. , Hodgkinson Colin A. , Mariani Thomas J.
Published: March 2021

Objective

The importance of the central and peripheral serotonin systems in regulating energy balance and obesity development has been highlighted in animal models. Yet, the role of both serotonin systems has not been systematically assessed in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of genes within both serotonin systems with obesity outcomes in black adolescents.

Methods

African–American adolescents (n = 1052) whose mothers participated the Memphis New Mother's Study were assessed. In total, 110 polymorphisms mapped to 10 serotonin genes were examined for their associations with standardized body mass index (BMI‐z) scores and waist circumferences using generalized estimating equation models.

Results

Over 39% of adolescents were overweight or had obesity. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within TPH2, HTR3B, and SLC6A4, were significantly associated with BMI‐z scores (p < 1.7 × 10−3). Two SNPs in TPH2 were nominally associated with waist circumferences. One SNP in HTR2C was associated with BMI‐z scores (p = 0.001) and waist circumferences (p = 0.005) only in girls. Tissue‐specific expression indicates that three identified genes are predominantly expressed in the brain.

Conclusion

The central serotonin system may play a key role in obesity development in black adolescents. Future studies are warranted to explore additional serotonin system genes and their potential obesogenic mechanisms in humans.
Sickle cell disease and ventricular myocardial strain: A systematic review
Authors: Whipple Nicholas S. , Joshi Vijaya M. , Naik Ronak J. , Mentnech Tisha , McFarland Mary M. , Nolan Vikki G. , Hankins Jane S.
Published: March 2021

Cardiac disease is the primary cause of death in sickle cell disease (SCD). Cardiac abnormalities begin in childhood and progress throughout life. Right and left ventricular (RV, LV) myocardial strain are early markers of systolic dysfunction but are not well investigated among individuals with SCD. The objectives of this review were to (1) identify all published studies that have evaluated ventricular myocardial strain, (2) summarize their values, and (3) compare findings with those obtained from controls. From search results of four electronic databases—Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science—42 potential articles were identified, of which 18 articles and 17 studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion. The evaluated studies demonstrate that RV and LV myocardial strain are generally abnormal in individuals with SCD compared with controls, despite having normal ejection/shortening fraction. Myocardial strain has been inconsistently evaluated in this population and should be considered any time an echocardiogram is performed.
Role of the interface on electron transport in electro‐conductive polymer‐matrix composite: A review
Authors: Mondal Raj Kumar , Dubey Kumar Abhinav , Bhardwaj Yatender Kumar
Published: March 2021

Conductive polymer nanocomposites (CPC) are considered to be one of the best materials for the various applications like sensors, electrolyte membrane, photovoltaic cell, electromagnetic interference shielding materials, overcurrent protection devices, and many more due to the balance between electrical and mechanical properties, low cost, and ease of manufacturing. The most important aspect of an electro‐CPC is the interface between the polymer and conductive filler. In order to be electro‐conductive the fillers need not be in physical contact between them rather a few nanometer (typically ~10 nm) gap exist between two neighboring filler. Electrical conductivity of the composites arises from electron tunneling and hopping between conducting network. A typical way of preparing polymeric nanocomposites is the direct incorporation of inorganic nanoparticulate filler into polymers. Primarily focus has been given to carbonaceous nanoparticles in this article. Nanoparticles are an automatic choice for preparing the nanocomposites owing to their high‐interfacial interaction. However, it is often very difficult to well disperse nanoparticles in polymers because the nano particles with high‐surface energy are easy to agglomerate, which in turn adversely affects electron conduction in nanocomposites. One of the most used techniques to overcome this difficulty is to modify the interface of the polymer and filler as often the interface between polymer and filler played a crucial role in electron conduction. The aim of this review article is to report the most recent developments in improving the interface of filler and polymers in CPC. The discussions are primarily focused on different methodologies for the preparation of CPC characterization of the interface and finally interface modification techniques.
The Arabidopsis thaliana nucleotide sugar transporter GONST2 is a functional homolog of GONST1
Authors: Jing Beibei , Ishikawa Toshiki , Soltis Nicole , Inada Noriko , Liang Yan , Murawska Gosia , Fang Lin , Andeberhan Fekadu , Pidatala Ramana , Yu Xiaolan , Baidoo Edward , Kawai‐Yamada Maki , Loque Dominique , Kliebenstein Daniel J. , Dupree Paul , Mortimer Jenny C.
Published: March 2021

Glycosylinositolphosphorylceramides (GIPCs) are the predominant lipid in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Characterized GIPC glycosylation mutants have severe or lethal plant phenotypes. However, the function of the glycosylation is unclear. Previously, we characterized Arabidopsis thaliana GONST1 and showed that it was a nucleotide sugar transporter which provides GDP‐mannose for GIPC glycosylation. gonst1 has a severe growth phenotype, as well as a constitutive defense response. Here, we characterize a mutant in GONST1’s closest homolog, GONST2. The gonst2‐1 allele has a minor change to GIPC headgroup glycosylation. Like other reported GIPC glycosylation mutants, gonst1‐1gonst2‐1 has reduced cellulose, a cell wall polymer that is synthesized at the plasma membrane. The gonst2‐1 allele has increased resistance to a biotrophic pathogen Golovinomyces orontii but not the necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Expression of GONST2 under the GONST1 promoter can rescue the gonst1 phenotype, indicating that GONST2 has a similar function to GONST1 in providing GDP‐D‐Man for GIPC mannosylation.
Forearm flexor injury is associated with medial ulnar collateral ligament injury in throwing athletes
Authors: Zaremski Jason L. , Pazik Marissa , Dean Cooper W. , Vijayaraghavan Niran , Fethiere Nicholas P. , Farmer Kevin W. , Horodyski Mary Beth
Published: March 2021

Background

Elbow ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries have become increasingly common in throwing athletes. The forearm flexors (FF) have been studied as biomechanical stabilizers for the medial elbow. However, there are no studies investigating the association of concomitant UCL injuries and FF injuries in throwing athletes.

Objective

To determine if throwing athletes with a complete UCL injury had a greater likelihood of concomitant FF injury than those with a partial UCL injury.

Design

Descriptive retrospective epidemiological study.

Setting

Academic, tertiary care medical center.

Patients

Throwing related UCL injuries in patients aged 12–24 years.

Interventions/Methods

Electronic medical records and key word searches identified all patients from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019. A board certified and fellowship trained musculoskeletal radiologist reviewed all advanced imaging studies.

Results

Fifty‐four patients (46 male, 8 female, mean age 17.1 years, SD 2.3) were included. Fifty‐four UCL injuries (21 complete ruptures, 16 proximal partial injuries, 17 distal partial injuries) were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty‐eight FF injuries (22 strains, 6 tears) were diagnosed with MRI and/or MRI‐arthrogram. There was a significant association between sustaining a FF injury and UCL reconstruction (UCL‐R) (X2 = [1, N = 54], = 3.97, P = .046) (15/22, 68.2%), as well as FF injury and UCL injury location (X2 = [1, N = 33], = 3.86, P = .049) (10/17, distal partial UCL injury, 58.8%). Analysis of FF injury and complete UCL tear is not significant (X2 = [1, N = 54], = 3.02, P = .08) (14/21, 66.7%).

Conclusions

The data indicate that FF injury is associated with UCL injury in throwing athletes. Future prospective studies should investigate causation versus correlation of FF and UCL injury in throwing athletes. The results of this study have applications to multiple sports medicine areas that include but are not limited to surgical, nonsurgical, prehabilitation, rehabilitation, and sports performance. This study reveals a strongly significant association between FF injury and concomitant UCL injury in throwing athletes.
Enhancement of metal adhesion, owing to the plasma texturing of PEEK
Authors: Gravis David , Rigolé Grégoire , Yengui Mayssa , Knapp Wolfgang , Coulon Jean‐François , Poncin‐Epaillard Fabienne
Published: March 2021

To understand both chemical and anchoring aspects of Al adhesion, the poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK) surface was plasma‐textured before being coated. The practical adhesion was compared with that obtained by laser texturing. The surfaces and assemblies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, surface free energy determination, and pull‐off tests. Patterning processes increase Al adhesion. O2 plasma appears to be the most efficient through a texture assigned to the chemical erosion, whereas Ar plasma mostly induces material etching with thermal effects altering the PEEK crystallinity. With low‐pressure plasmas, this texturing can be added to the chemical functionalization to further increase the adhesion.
Apoptosis and autophagy modulating dietary phytochemicals in cancer therapeutics: Current evidences and future perspectives
Authors: Patra Srimanta , Pradhan Biswajita , Nayak Rabindra , Behera Chhandashree , Panda Krishna Chandra , Das Surajit , Jena Mrutyunjay , Bhutia Sujit Kumar
Published: March 2021

The global incidence of cancer and cancer‐related mortality is expected to rise in recent years despite advancements in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. Increasing evidences of decrypting molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression have commanded the tremendous development of synthetic anticancer drugs. With limitations in the current conventional cancer therapeutic approaches, the non‐nutritive dietary phytochemicals have emerged as potent modulators of apoptosis and autophagy associated key signaling pathways in various cancer cells. The dynamic regulation of apoptosis and autophagy by phytochemicals in cancer are identified as promising therapeutic candidates with minimal cytotoxicity and enhanced biological activity. Dietary phytochemicals and their synthetic analogs have exhibited potency in the modulation of apoptosis and autophagy in several cancer cells as individuals or in combination with pre‐existing FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved anticancer drugs. In the current generation of medical science, developing precision and personalized medicine and their consumption as food supplements will hold high prevalence in cancer therapeutics. Hence understating the impact of dietary phytochemicals on human health and their molecular mechanism will thrive a new horizon in cancer therapeutics. Hence, this review has emphasized the role of apoptotic/autophagy modulating dietary phytochemicals in cancer therapy, their preclinical and clinical applications and the future direction of enhanced nano‐formulation for better clinical efficacy.
Ensemble‐based singular value decomposition analysis to clarify the causes of heavy rainfall
Authors: Yokota Sho , Seko Hiromu
Published: March 2021

The complex relationships between rainfall amounts and their causes require further clarification through analytical research. This study utilizes ensemble‐based singular value decomposition (ESVD) analysis that decomposes the ensemble‐based cross‐covariance matrix between datasets related to atmospheric states and hydrometeors. ESVD analysis is applied to the “Heavy Rain Event of July 2018 in Japan.” The initial states of 301‐member ensemble forecasts are created using a local ensemble transform Kalman filter, and the ensemble forecasts are obtained by the regional nonhydrostatic model (2 km horizontal grid interval). The ESVD analysis results indicate that the heterogeneous correlation maps of the first mode (maximum squared singular value) and second mode exhibit high correlations between the synoptic‐scale atmospheric states (the location of the stationary front and the baroclinically enhanced updraft) and rainfall characteristics. The results obtained using the sixth mode show that local water vapor fluxes in the lower layer are correlated with mesoscale rainfall characteristics. Therefore, ESVD analysis can be used to clarify multiple, independent relationships between multiscale atmospheric states and heavy rainfall.
HTLV‐1 oncovirus‐host interactions: From entry to the manifestation of associated diseases
Authors: Ahmadi Ghezeldasht Sanaz , Shamsian Seyed Ali Akbar , Gholizadeh Navashenaq Jamshid , Miri Raheleh , Ashrafi Fereshteh , Mosavat Arman , Rezaee Seyed Abdolrahim
Published: March 2021

Human T lymphotropic virus type‐1 (HTLV‐1) is a well‐known human oncovirus, associated with two life‐threatening diseases, adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV‐1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The study of this oncogenic virus is significant from two different aspects. First, HTLV‐1 can be considered as a neglected public health problem, which may spread slowly worldwide. Second, the incidence of HTLV‐1 associated diseases due to oncogenic effects and deterioration of the immune system towards autoimmune diseases are not fully understood. Furthermore, knowledge about viral routes of transmission is important for considering potential interventions, treatments or vaccines in endemic regions. In this review, novel characteristics of HTLV‐1, such as the unusual infectivity of virions through the virological synapse, are discussed in the context of the HTLV‐1 associated diseases (ATL and HAM/TSP).
Water management effect on soil oxidation, greenhouse gas emissions, and nitrogen leaching in drained peat soils
Authors: Rodriguez Andres F. , Daroub Samira H. , Gerber Stefan , Jennewein Stephen P. , Singh Maninder P.
Published: March 2021

Soil subsidence of peatlands occurs worldwide due to drainage. The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), located in South Florida, has been drained for agriculture since 1914, with subsidence resulting in shallow soils in certain areas. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of water management strategies on soil oxidation and N release as affected by differences in proximity to the bedrock. Oxidation rates (CO2 efflux), as well as CH4 and N2O emissions, were measured in lysimeters filled with shallow and deep peat subjected to four water treatments. Additionally, NO3–N, NH4–N, soluble organic N, and dissolved organic C were measured in leachate obtained from the collected soils. Average annual emissions from constantly drained soils were 298 g CO2–C m–2 yr–1, with most of the oxidation taking place between June and October. Short flood cycles increased annual oxidation rates compared with constantly drained soils, which had the second highest oxidation rate. Constantly flooded soils had the lowest annual oxidation rates, followed by summer flooded soils. Total N lost in leachate was highest for constantly drained soils, with NO3 being the dominant form. The deep soils had higher losses of soluble N and C, whereas NO3 losses from shallow soils were higher. Soil oxidation rates did not differ depending on proximity to the bedrock. We conclude that strategies that avoid short flooding cycles and include crop rotations that allow flooding during summer can reduce oxidation and N losses in leachate from EAA peats.
Competing both ways: How combining Porter's low‐cost and focus strategies hurts firm performance
Authors: Lee Chi‐Hyon , Hoehn‐Weiss Manuela N. , Karim Samina
Published: March 2021

Research Summary

This study empirically examines the impact of firms' pursuing multiple generic strategies, namely, Porter's low‐cost and focus strategies. We conceptualize pursuing cost efficiency advantage as low‐cost strategy and restraining rivalry through horizontal differentiation as focus strategy. Although we corroborate earlier Strategy research that each of these strategies alone may have a positive impact on firm profitability, we highlight that mechanisms driving the interaction of these two strategies are, in fact, nonadditive in nature, consistent with recent analytical work. Using the context of the scheduled U.S. passenger airline industry over two decades, we empirically show that combining a low‐cost strategy with a focus strategy is, indeed, detrimental to firm profitability, which has important implications for scholarship and practice.

Managerial Summary

Firms have effectively used low‐cost or focus strategies to improve their performance. Our study demonstrates that although firms pursuing either strategy individually can benefit, pursuing these two generic strategies of low‐cost and focus simultaneously actually hurts firms' profitability. In essence, we show that when firms pursuing a low‐cost strategy already possess a cost efficiency advantage over their rivals for the full customer base, firms have nothing to gain by simultaneously limiting rivalry—through focusing on a smaller customer segment—and thus giving away revenue to rivals. Our insights regarding the combination of different generic strategies caution managers to not be misled by the performance gains of either low‐cost and focus strategies individually, but to realize that these two in tandem actually may harm profitability.
‘Big Interdisciplinarity’: Unsettling and Resettling Excellence
Authors: Bock von Wülfingen Bettina
Published: March 2021

This paper analyses differences in group perceptions amongst a large international and multi-disciplinary research community. It is a cluster of excellence with the explicit aim of bringing natural sciences and humanities together in joint experiments. Who wins, when disciplinary borders fall? The article discusses the moment of the appearance of the cluster on the grounds of a thorough analysis of the notions of interdisciplinarity, excellence and the recent history of European research policy. This empirical study of the forms of knowledge, practices and behaviours that intersect with differences of cultures, disciplines and gender in this community is part of self-reflexive structures that were installed within the cluster research on research practices. The results show that this new form of structure of ‘big interdisciplinarity’ offers the formation of new (collaborative) identities to those involved. New forms of group minority and majority understandings emerge, which, in contrast to the expectation of the cluster at the beginning don’t seem to advantage usually disadvantaged identities in science.
What Synthetic Biology Aims At: Review Articles as Sites for Constructing and Narrating an Emerging Field
Authors: Blümel Clemens
Published: March 2021

The analysis of scientific communities and collectives are central to STS and sociological studies of science. However, the current emergence of techno-scientific communities, such as synthetic biology, raises the question as to whether novel identities, but also novel ways of community building have developed. In this respect, the emergence of a new publication regime, the ubiquity of citations as a means of governing attention and visibility, and the establishment of multidisciplinary audiences might have changed the ways of scholarly field formation. In this article I propose that formats of scholarly writing have acquired new functions in this process, changing modes of presenting and legitimating novel scientific communities. Hence, I put forward the idea that the evolution of a specific publication format which I term here as `techno-scientific review article’ and the ways of narrating communities are closely intertwined. To elaborate my argument, I draw on linguistic genre analysis of science. I found that review papers in synthetic biology are important for the field: Equipped with specific textual qualities they become central sites for articulating past and the futures of the field.
Tracing Technoscientific Collectives in Synthetic Biology: Interdisciplines and Communities of Knowledge Application
Authors: Degelsegger-Márquez Alexander
Published: March 2021

The relevance of collectives for scientific research has long been a matter of debate among sociologists of science and STS scholars. In this article, I revisit the notion of scientific communities from the perspective of practices in technoscientific fields of research. The case I focus on is synthetic biology, a field of research characterised by introducing engineering principles to biology. Drawing from field observations, a discussion of community concepts in sociological literature and interview data, I argue that concepts of community in the technosciences oversimplify the aspects and types of collectives that come to matter in research practices. The case of synthetic biology suggests that, when thinking about technoscientific communities, we have to consider aspects of research practices that point beyond knowledge production. To address this issue, I propose the notion of communities of knowledge application, which helps to reflect current trends in technoscientific research and research governance. Both contexts of knowledge production and contexts of knowledge application should be taken into account in an analysis of technoscientific communities.
Nondeterministic Syntactic Complexity
Authors: Myers Robert S. R. , Milius Stefan , Urbat Henning
Published: March 2021

We introduce a new measure on regular languages: theirnondeterministic syntactic complexity. It is the least degree of any extension of the ‘canonical boolean representation’ of the syntactic monoid. Equivalently, it is the least number of states of anysubatomicnondeterministic acceptor. It turns out that essentially all previous structural work on nondeterministic state-minimality computes this measure. Our approach rests on an algebraic interpretation of nondeterministic finite automata as deterministic finite automata endowed with semilattice structure. Crucially, the latter form a self-dual category.
The Decidability of Verification under PS 2.0
Authors: Abdulla Parosh Aziz , Atig Mohamed Faouzi , Godbole Adwait , Krishna S. , Vafeiadis Viktor
Published: March 2021

We consider the reachability problem for finite-state multi-threaded programs under the promising semantics () of Lee et al., which captures most common program transformations. Since reachability is already known to be undecidable in the fragment of with only release-acquire accesses (-), we consider the fragment with only relaxed accesses and promises (). We show that reachability under is undecidable in general and that it becomes decidable, albeit non-primitive recursive, if we bound the number of promises.

Given these results, we consider a bounded version of the reachability problem. To this end, we bound both the number of promises and of “view-switches”, i.e., the number of times the processes may switch their local views of the global memory. We provide a code-to-code translation from an input program under (with relaxed and release-acquire memory accesses along with promises) to a program under SC, thereby reducing the bounded reachability problem under to the bounded context-switching problem under SC. We have implemented a tool and tested it on a set of benchmarks, demonstrating that typical bugs in programs can be found with a small bound.