bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunometabolism in the development of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jörg J.
Published: January 2020

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), breakdown of self‐tolerance and onset of clinical disease are separated in time and space, supporting a multi‐hit model in which emergence of autoreactive T cells is a pinnacle pathogenic event. Determining factors in T cell differentiation and survival include antigen recognition, but also the metabolic machinery that provides energy and biosynthetic molecules for cell building. Studies in patients with RA have yielded a disease‐specific metabolic signature, which enables naive CD4 T cells to differentiate into pro‐inflammatory helper T cells that are prone to invade into tissue and elicit inflammation through immunogenic cell death. A typifying property of RA CD4 T cells is the shunting of glucose away from glycolytic breakdown and mitochondrial processing toward the pentose phosphate pathway, favoring anabolic over catabolic reactions. Key defects have been localized to the mitochondria and the lysosome; including instability of mitochondrial DNA due to the lack of the DNA repair nuclease MRE11A and inefficient lysosomal tethering of AMPK due to deficiency of N‐myristoyltransferase 1 (NMT1). The molecular taxonomy of the metabolically reprogrammed RA T cells includes glycolytic enzymes (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphofructokinase), DNA repair molecules (MRE11A, ATM), regulators of protein trafficking (NMT1), and the membrane adapter protein TSK5. As the mechanisms determining abnormal T cell behavior in RA are unraveled, opportunities will emerge to interject autoimmune T cells by targeting their metabolic checkpoints.
Reminiscence therapy for older adults with Alzheimer's disease: A literature review
Authors: Cuevas Pearl Ed G. , Davidson Patricia M. , Mejilla Joylyn L. , Rodney Tamar W.
Published: January 2020

The literature on the use of reminiscence therapy is vast in patients with dementia, but there is minimal evidence in older adults with Alzheimer's disease. The current review seeks to develop a unifying way to administer reminiscence therapy that will be effective for older adults with Alzheimer's disease. The review used the PRISMA guidelines in the literature search and data extraction. Results showed the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy in older adults with Alzheimer's disease, area of cognition, depression, activities of daily living, and quality of life. Additionally, for the therapy to be effective, it must be conducted regularly in a small group of patients for an average of 45 min for 8‐ to 12‐week duration. Patients with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease are most likely to benefit with the use of photographs, videos, and music that are associated with their past experiences. This review highlights innovative ways to render reminiscence therapy to individuals with Alzheimer's disease including technology‐aided applications.
A Review of Envelope Models
Authors: Lee Minji , Su Zhihua
Published: January 2020

The envelope model was first introduced as a parsimonious version of multivariate linear regression. It uses dimension reduction techniques to remove immaterial variation in the data and has the potential to gain efficiency in estimation and improve prediction. Many advances have taken place since its introduction, and the envelope model has been applied to many contexts in multivariate analysis, including partial least squares, generalised linear models, Bayesian analysis, variable selection and quantile regression, among others. This article serves as a review of the envelope model and its developments for those who are new to the area.
What are the most crucial soil variables for predicting the distribution of mountain plant species? A comprehensive study in the Swiss Alps
Authors: Buri Aline , Grand Stéphanie , Yashiro Erika , Adatte Thierry , Spangenberg Jorge E. , Pinto‐Figueroa Eric , Verrecchia Eric , Guisan Antoine
Published: January 2020

Aim

To investigate the potential of a large range of soil variables to improve topo‐climatic models of plant species distributions in a temperate mountain region encompassing complex relief.

Location

The western Swiss Alps.

Methods

Fitting topo‐climatic models for >60 plant species across >250 sites with and without added soil predictor variables (>30). Testing included the following: (a) which soil variables improve plant species distribution models; (b) whether an optimal subset of soil variables can improve models for the majority of species and habitat types and (c) how much variation in plant species distributions soil variables alone explain.

Results

Geochemical variables (i.e. CaO, pH and inorganic carbon) and a drainage indicator (i.e. bulk soil water content) improved the predictive abilities of the models across the large majority of alpine plant species. The improvement of the models after the addition of soil information varied strongly between plant species and habitat types, but a trade‐off was found between the number of soil variables and the associated gain in model performance. Finally, across all species, one specific combination of soil variables – bulk soil water content + total phosphorus +δ13C – outperformed the commonly used topo‐climatic variables.

Main conclusions

Several soil variables significantly increased the predictive power of plant species distribution models in the temperate mountain region. Geochemical and drainage variables proved most important.
Early recurrences of atrial tachyarrhythmias post pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: von Olshausen Gesa , Uijl Alicia , Jensen‐Urstad Mats , Schwieler Jonas , Drca Nikola , Bastani Hamid , Tapanainen Jari , Saluveer Ott , Bourke Tara , Kennebäck Göran , Insulander Per , Deisenhofer Isabel , Braunschweig Frieder
Published: January 2020

Aims

To investigate the significance of early recurrence (ER) of atrial tachyarrhythmias after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) on the development of late recurrence (LR) and to redefine the blanking period during which an ER is considered nonspecific.

Methods

Data of 713 patients undergoing their first PVI for paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation between January 2012 and December 2017 were included. All patients were followed‐up for 12 months according to clinical and outpatient routine and were screened for any atrial tachyarrhythmia lasting >30 seconds occurring during the first 3 months postablation (ER) and after the 3 months blanking period (LR).

Results

Patients with ER compared to those without ER had significantly more LR (74.5% vs 16.5% vs, P < .001). The occurrence of ER during the first, second and third months showed increasing LR rates of 35.2%, 67.9%, and 94.8%, respectively (P < .001). Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed a blanking period of 46 days with the highest sensitivity (68.1%) and specificity (96.5%). Later timing and longer time span of ER were independent predictors for LR in multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

ER is a strong predictor for LR. Our study advocates a shortening of the post‐PVI blanking period followed by a “gray zone” up to 3 months where individualized therapeutic decisions based on additional risk factors should be considered. We suggest that the ER time span might serve as such a predictor identifying patients at the highest risk for LR.
Phenolics, rather than glucosinolates, mediate host choice of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 and MED on five cabbage genotypes
Authors: Yang Jinjian , Xie Wen , Liu Baiming , Wang Shaoli , Wu Qingjun , He Yuchi , Zhang Youjun , Jiao Xiaoguo
Published: January 2020

Worldwide, the most two important cryptic species of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are MEAM1 (Middle East–Asia Minor 1, “B” biotype) and MED (Mediterranean, “Q” biotype). Although both B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED are polyphagous, they differ greatly in host choice and performance on various host plants. MEAM1 prefer to settle and perform better than MED on cabbage (Brassica oleracea), for example, but the underlying mechanism is largely unexplored. In the present study, we first measured the contents of the main secondary insect‐resistant substances (glucosinolates and phenolics) and main nutrients (soluble proteins, total amino acids and total nitrogen) in five cabbage genotypes. We then examined the settling and oviposition choices of MEAM1 and MED on the five cabbage genotypes, respectively. The settling and oviposition preferences of both MEAM1 and MED were negatively related to the content of total phenolics rather than to the content of glucosinolates or main nutrients. Furthermore, our results showed that MEAM1 ranked the host quality of the cabbage genotypes more accurately than MED. The results at least in part indicate that total phenolics rather than glucosinolates mediate the host choice of B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED on the five cabbage genotypes.
Next generation secondary electron detector with energy analysis capability for SEM
Authors: SURI A. , PRATT A. , TEAR S. , WALKER C. , EL‐GOMATI M.
Published: January 2020

We report the working of a novel detector design based on a Bessel Box (BB) electron energy analyser in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). We demonstrate the application of our detector for elemental identification through Auger electron detection in an SEM environment and its potential as a complementary technique to energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy. We also demonstrate energy‐filtered secondary electron imaging of a copper‐on‐silicon sample using an electron pass energy of 12 eV.

Lay Description

Advancements in the field of the Scanning Electron Microscopy have been one of the major nanotechnology enablers. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) generates a magnified image of the sample by bombarding it with an electron beam and detecting the electrons that scatter off the surface along with the electrons that are generated in the sample. Conventional detectors such as the Everhart‐Thornley detector (ET) or through‐the‐lens (TTL) detectors, either offer little to no energy analysis (ET) or limited energy filtering capability (e.g the low‐pass energy filter in TTL). This information is crucial to interpret the image of the sample under study. What is needed is a smart and compact detector that can detect electrons and furnish energy inside the SEM chamber. Here, we report a novel secondary electron (SE) detector design with energy analysis capability for use in scanning electron microscopes. The detector is based on the design of a Bessel Box (BB) energy analyser. We have designed and experimentally tested it in an SEM environment. The band‐pass filter action of the detector enables the BB to be operated at a selected energy and allows a narrow window of energies to be detected for generating energy‐filtered images.
A comparative histological study of the osteoderms in the lizards Heloderma suspectum (Squamata: Helodermatidae) and Varanus komodoensis (Squamata: Varanidae)
Authors: Kirby Alexander , Vickaryous Matthew , Boyde Alan , Olivo Alessandro , Moazen Mehran , Bertazzo Sergio , Evans Susan
Published: January 2020

We describe the histological appearance of the osteoderms (ODs) of Heloderma suspectum and Varanus komodoensis using multiple staining and microscopy techniques to yield information about their morphology and development. Histological analysis showed that the ODs of H. suspectum are composed of three main tissue types, a superficial layer, herein identified as osteodermine, capping a base composed of Sharpey‐fibre bone and lamellar bone rich in secondary osteons (Haversian bone tissue). In contrast, ODs in V. komodoensis are composed of a core of woven bone surrounded by parallel‐fibred bone without a capping tissue. Thus, in these two species, ODs differ both in terms of their structural composition and in details of their skeletogenesis. The histology of the mineralised tissues observed in these two reptile taxa provides insights into the mechanism of formation of lizard ODs and presents a direct comparison of the histological properties between the ODs of the two species. These data allow greater understanding of the comparative histological appearance of the dermal bones of lizards and highlight their structural diversity.
Immunological response of allogeneic bone grafting: A systematic review of prospective studies
Authors: Moraschini Vittorio , de Almeida Daniel Costa Ferreira , Calasans‐Maia Monica Diuana , Kischinhevsky Ingrid Chaves Cavalcante , Louro Rafael Seabra , Granjeiro José Mauro
Published: January 2020

Background

Although widely used, the potential for immunological sensitization of allogeneic bone grafts is still controversial in the literature. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the immune response of allogeneic bone graft procedures in humans.

Methods

An electronic search without language or date restrictions occurred in four databases for articles published until July 2019. Eligibility criteria included prospective cohort studies, controlled clinical trials, and randomized clinical trials that evaluated the potential of allogeneic bone grafts in sensitized immune system in humans through immunological or biological analysis. The protocol number of this SR registered in PROSPERO is CDR42019135491.

Results

The search and selection process yielded eight prospective cohort studies published between 1984 and 2019. The percentage of patients' sensitization analyzed by human leukocyte antigens ranged from 21% to 67%, with a cumulative mean of 48 ± 17.3%. Bone soluble protein analysis demonstrates the sensitization of 55% of patients after allograft bone grafts. Also, a high level of circulating cell‐free DNA took place in the immediate postoperative period.

Conclusion

Although studies report a low incidence of local complications, an average of 48% of the patients remain with the immune system sensitized after receiving allogeneic bone grafts. Future studies should better address the local and systemic consequences of such sensitization.
State Lawmaker's Views on Childhood Obesity and Related School Wellness Legislation
Authors: Killian Chad M. , Kern Ben D. , Ellison Douglas W. , Graber Kim C. , Woods Amelia Mays
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

School wellness legislation has potential to impact the health of children and alter the obesity crisis in the United Sates. Little is known about how state lawmakers perceive child wellness legislation effectiveness relative to obesity prevention. Our purpose was to understand state lawmakers' perceptions of childhood obesity and school wellness policies relative to the Social Ecological Model (SEM).

METHODS

Twenty‐one state representatives and nine state senators from one US state completed in‐depth interviews. Member checks and peer debriefing occurred throughout data collection and analysis. Transcripts were coded and triangulated. A conventional content analysis generated consistent themes.

RESULTS

Five main themes developed: (1) child overweight and obesity is problematic; (2) current legislation is ineffective; (3) funding and enforcing child wellness legislation is difficult; (4) it is difficult to legislate personal behavior; and (5) efforts from other levels of the SEM are more effective at promoting wellness.

CONCLUSIONS

Lawmakers understand negative impacts of child obesity, but perceive immediate legislative issues like budgetary concerns inhibit robust policy‐oriented action. Participants believe parents, guardians, and individuals should ultimately be responsible for child wellness. Community, school, and family efforts to address childhood obesity and support wellness may be more effective in achieving positive outcomes than state and federal policy.
Religious Engagement, Civic Skills, and Political Participation in Latin America
Authors: Audette Andre P. , Brockway Mark , Castro Cornejo Rodrigo
Published: January 2020

To what extent has the growth of Evangelicalism in Latin America contributed to political participation across the region? A number of scholars of religion and politics in the United States have suggested that Evangelicalism promotes the development of civic skills necessary for political engagement, while the Catholic Church, due to its hierarchical structure, provides fewer opportunities for skill acquisition. In this paper, we apply this debate to Latin America to test whether civic skills developed in Catholic and Protestant church activities lead to differential participation rates in 18 countries. We utilize the 2014 Pew Religion in Latin America survey to test these effects, and find that Protestant churches do indeed promote skill‐developing activities at higher rates, but that Catholics, when involved, are more likely to translate this religious participation into political action. We conclude that political scientists must better understand the organizational role of religion in promoting political engagement worldwide.
Biological aspects of Schilbe intermedius (Ruppell, 1832) in the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya
Authors: Mutethya Eunice , Okoth Sharon , Yongo Edwine
Published: January 2020

Silver butter catfish (Schilbe intermedius) is an indigenous fish species in Lake Victoria. It has a good economic value because of the quality and freshness of its flesh, increasing its demand for consumption. It is potamodromous, with its stock in the lake declining because of overexploitation by the use of illegal fishing gears at the river mouths on their way to spawning areas. Fish samples (321) were obtained from commercial gill net (1.5–3 in.) fishers within Nyanza gulf. The fish samples were weighed (g) and measured (cm), dissected and sex determined by visual inspection of the gonads. Ovaries for mature female fish specimens were preserved for analysis of fecundity. Fecundity was determined by the gravimetric technique. The mean (±SE) length and weight for all fish were 18.2 ± 0.2 cm TL and 51.9 ± 1.9 g, respectively. The female fish (20.0 ± 0.2 cm) were significantly (F = 199.80, p < .05) larger than the males (15.9 ± 0.1 cm). Similarly, the females (68.8 ± 2.6 g) were significantly (F = 152.61, p < .05) heavier than the males (30.93 ± 1.02 g). The overall sex ratio was 1.23:1.0 (female:male). The length frequency exhibited a unimodal distribution, with the modal class between 16 and 18 cm for either sex. The regression slope (b) of the length–weight relationship was 3.2, 3.1 and 3.0 for all fish, females and males. The absolute fecundity ranged from 6,510 to 59,818 eggs, with a mean of 34,473 eggs. The length at 50% maturity was estimated to be 16.0 cm (female) and 18.0 cm (male) fish. The mean length and size at maturity of S. intermedius have declined, likely attributable to fishing effects, changes in food resources, competition and predation. Thus, the present study provided relevant biological data of S. intermedius, which is currently limited for this region.
Stomatal development in the grasses: lessons from models and crops (and crop models)
Authors: McKown Katelyn H. , Bergmann Dominique C.
Published: January 2020

When plants emerged from their aquatic origins to colonise land, they needed to avoid desiccation while still enabling gas and water exchange with the environment. The solution was the development of a waxy cuticle interrupted by epidermal pores, known as stomata. Despite the importance of stomata in plant physiology and their contribution to global water and carbon cycles, our knowledge of the genetic basis of stomatal development is limited mostly to the model dicot,Arabidopsis thaliana. This limitation is particularly troublesome when evaluating grasses, whose members represent our most agriculturally significant crops. Grass stomatal development follows a trajectory strikingly different from Arabidopsis and their uniquely shaped four‐celled stomatal complexes are especially responsive to environmental inputs. Thus, understanding the development and regulation of these efficient complexes is of particular interest for the purposes of crop engineering. This review focuses on genetic regulation of grass stomatal development and prospects for the future, highlighting discoveries enabled by parallel comparative investigations in cereal crops and related genetic model species such asBrachypodium distachyon.
Molecular regulation of autophagy machinery by mTOR‐dependent and ‐independent pathways
Authors: Al‐Bari Md. Abdul Alim , Xu Pingyong
Published: January 2020

Macroautophagy is a lysosomal degradative pathway or recycling process that maintains cellular homeostasis. This autophagy involves a series of sequential processing events, such as initiation; elongation and nucleation of the isolation membrane; cargo recruitment and maturation of the autophagosome (AP); transport of the AP; docking and fusion of the AP with a late endosome or lysosome; and regeneration of the lysosome by the autophagic lysosomal reformation cycle. These events are critically coordinated by the action of a set of several key components, including autophagy‐related proteins (Atg), and regulated by intricate networks, such as mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator of autophagy, as well as mTOR‐independent signaling pathways. Among mTOR‐independent pathways, the transient receptor potential (TRP) calcium ion channel TRPML (mucolipin) subfamily is emerging as an important signaling channel to modulate lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy. This review discusses the recent advances in elucidating the molecular mechanisms and regulation of the autophagy process. Understanding these mechanisms may ultimately allow scientists and clinicians to control this process in order to improve human health.
Use of synthetic biology tools to optimize the production of active nitrogenase Fe protein in chloroplasts of tobacco leaf cells
Authors: Eseverri Álvaro , López‐Torrejón Gema , Jiang Xi , Burén Stefan , Rubio Luis M. , Caro Elena
Published: January 2020

The generation of nitrogen fixing crops is considered a challenge that could lead to a new agricultural ‘green’ revolution. Here, we report the use of synthetic biology tools to achieve and optimize the production of active nitrogenase Fe protein (NifH) in the chloroplasts of tobacco plants. Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogen fixation genes, nifH, M, U and S, were re‐designed for protein accumulation in tobacco cells. Targeting to the chloroplast was optimized by screening and identifying minimal length transit peptides performing properly for each specific Nif protein. Putative peptidyl‐prolyl cis‐trans isomerase NifM proved necessary for NifH solubility in the stroma. Purified NifU, a protein involved in the biogenesis of NifH [4Fe‐4S] cluster, was found functional in NifH reconstitution assays. Importantly, NifH purified from tobacco chloroplasts was active in the reduction of acetylene to ethylene, with the requirement of nifU and nifS co‐expression. These results support the suitability of chloroplasts to host functional nitrogenase proteins, paving the way for future studies in the engineering of nitrogen fixation in higher plant plastids and describing an optimization pipeline that could also be used in other organisms and in the engineering of new metabolic pathways in plastids.
Neuroticism, conscientiousness, and in vivo Alzheimer pathologies measured by amyloid PET and MRI
Authors: Byun Min Soo , Jung Joon Hyung , Sohn Bo Kyung , Yi Dahyun , Lee Jun Ho , Jeon So Yeon , Lee Younghwa , Jung Gi Jung , Lee Jun‐Young , Kim Yu Kyeong , Shin Seong A , Sohn Chul‐Ho , Kang Koung Mi , Lee Dong Young ,   for the KBASE Research Group
Published: January 2020

Aim

It has been suggested that personality traits, particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness, are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related cognitive decline. However, the underlying pathological links between personality traits and AD‐related cognitive impairments remain unclear. Thus, the present study investigated associations of neuroticism and conscientiousness with in vivo cerebral amyloid‐beta (Aβ) burden, AD‐signature regional neurodegeneration, and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in non‐demented middle‐ and old‐aged adults.

Methods

A total of 397 non‐demented participants underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessments, 11C‐labeled Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, the NEO Five‐Factor Inventory was administered to both the participants and their informants to measure neuroticism and conscientiousness.

Results

Neither neuroticism nor conscientiousness was associated with cerebral Aβ deposition or WMH. In contrast, higher neuroticism and lower conscientiousness, reported by informants in particular, were significantly associated with reduced AD‐signature region cortical thickness. In regards to the direct and indirect effect of each personality on AD‐signature region cortical thickness, only the direct effects were found, whereas indirect effects via Aβ deposition or WMH were not.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that amyloid‐independent regional neurodegeneration might underlie relations of neuroticism and conscientiousness with AD.
Blood stream infections in children in the first year after liver transplantation at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, South Africa
Authors: Duncan Mary , DeVoll‐Zabrocki AnneMarie , Etheredge Harriet R. , Maher Heather A. , Bouter Carolyn , Gaylard Petra , Loveland Jerome , Fabian June , Botha Jean F.
Published: January 2020

Children who undergo liver transplantation and subsequently develop BSI are at risk for adverse outcomes. Research from high‐income settings contrasts the dearth of information from transplant centers in low‐ and middle‐income countries, such as South Africa. Therefore, this study from Johannesburg aimed to describe the clinical and demographic profile of children undergoing liver transplantation, and determine the incidence and pattern of BSI and associated risk factors for BSI during the first year after liver transplant. Pediatric liver transplants performed from 2005 to 2014 were reviewed. Descriptive analyses summarized donor, recipient, and post‐transplant infection characteristics. Association between BSI and sex, cause of liver failure, age, nutritional status, PELD/MELD score, graft type, biliary complications, and acute rejection was determined by Fisher's exact test; and association with length of stay by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Survival estimates were determined by the Kaplan‐Meier method. Sixty‐five children received one transplant and four had repeat transplants, totaling 69 procedures. Twenty‐nine BSI occurred in 19/69 (28%) procedures, mostly due to gram‐negative organisms, namely Klebsiella species. Risk for BSI was independently associated with biliary atresia (44% BSI in BA compared to 17% in non‐BA transplants; P = .014) and post‐operative biliary complications (55% BSI in transplants with biliary complications compared to 15% in those without; P = .0013). One‐year recipient and graft survival was 78% (CI 67%‐86%) and 77% (CI 65%‐85%), respectively. In Johannesburg, incident BSI, mostly from gram‐negative bacteria, were associated with biliary atresia and post‐operative biliary complications in children undergoing liver transplantation.
A novel microRNA, SlymiR208, promotes leaf senescence via regulating cytokinin biosynthesis in tomato
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yin Shuangqin , Tu Yun , Mei Hu , Yang Yingwu
Published: January 2020

Leaf senescence is a highly‐programmed developmental process during the plant life cycle. Cytokinin (CK) has been widely acknowledged as a negative regulator to delay leaf senescence. MiRNAs play key roles in a variety of developmental and physiological processes through negatively regulating their target gene expression. However, to date, the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in CK biosynthesis remain unclear, and the knowledge on miRNA regulation of leaf senescence is still very limited. Isopentenyltransferases (IPTs) catalyze the initial and rate‐limiting step of CK biosynthesis in higher plants. Our previous work uncovered that silencing of SlIPT4 expression in tomato resulted in premature leaf senescence. Here, we identified a novel tomato miRNA, SlymiR208, which regulates the expression of SlIPT2 and SlIPT4 at the post‐transcriptional level. SlymiR208 expression is ubiquitous in tomato and exhibits an opposite transition to its target transcripts in aged leaf. SlymiR208 overexpression in tomato sharply reduced the transcript levels of SlIPT2 and SlIPT4, and the concentrations of endogenous CKs in leaves. The early leaf senescence caused by SlymiR208 overexpression was consistent with the phenotype of SlIPT4‐silenced lines. The data demonstrated that SlymiR208 is a positive regulator in leaf senescence through negatively regulating CK biosynthesis via targeting SlIPT2 and SlIPT4 in tomato. This study indicated that post‐transcriptional regulation via miRNA is a control point of CK biosynthesis and added a new layer to the understanding of the regulation of CK biosynthesis in tomato and a new factual proof to support that miRNAs are involved in leaf senescence.
An ERP investigation of item‐scene incongruity at encoding on subsequent recognition
Authors: Guillaume Fabrice , Baier Sophia , Etienne Yann
Published: January 2020

The aim of the present study was to investigate how item‐scene incongruity at encoding influences subsequent item recognition and the associated event‐related potential (ERP) old/new effects. Participants (N = 26) studied pictures showing an item in a scene, either in a congruent condition (e.g., a tent in a field) or an incongruent condition (e.g., a shower cabin in a field). Items were presented alone at test. Behavioral data revealed a benefit of incongruent information, with greater source memory performance but no significant effect on old/new recognition judgments. Longer response times for old compared to new items showed that participants not only evaluated the old‐new status of objects during recognition, but also worked already on the scene context decision relative to the source memory judgment. An ERP incongruity effect was found at study, with greater N400 amplitude in the incongruent condition than the congruent condition. During recognition, the results provide evidence that item‐scene incongruity at study increases the amplitude of ERP old/new effects. A mid‐frontal N400 old/new effect was found in the early time window (300–500 ms), and a right frontal sub‐component was modulated by item‐scene incongruity at encoding. The modulation observed in the later time window (500–800 ms) confirmed previous studies showing that the parietal old/new effect reflects the retrieval of episodic contextual details. The present study shows that the magnitude of ERP old/new effects is sensitive to item‐scene incongruity at encoding from the early time window in the right frontal region to the later retrieval processes.
Effect of caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK on bovine sperm cryotolerance
Authors: Pagano Nunzia , Longobardi Valentina , De Canditiis Carolina , Zuchegna Candida , Romano Antonella , Michal Andrzej Kosior , Pero Maria Elena , Gasparrini Bianca
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of bovine semen with the pan‐caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp‐fluoromethyl ketone (Z‐VAD‐FMK), before or after freezing on semen quality. After the initial assessment, sperm from 4 bulls were pooled (Experiment 1) and cryopreserved in BioXcell containing 0, 20 and 100 μM Z‐VAD‐FMK. After thawing semen viability, motility, membrane integrity, as well as DNA fragmentation and ΔΨm were evaluated. In Experiment 2, bovine frozen/thawed sperm were incubated for 1 hr with 0, 20 and 100 µM Z‐VAD‐FMK before assessing the semen quality. The treatment with Z ‐VAD‐FMK before cryopreservation improved post‐thawing sperm motility compared to the control group (p < .05), while no differences were recorded in sperm viability and membrane integrity among groups (on average 86.8 ± 1.5 and 69.1 ± 1.4, respectively). Interestingly, at the highest concentration, DNA fragmentation decreased (p < .05), while the percentage of spermatozoa with high ΔΨm increased (p < .05). The results of Experiment 2 showed that 1‐hr treatment with Z‐VAD‐FMK did not affect sperm motility and viability (on average 63.4 ± 5.8 and 83.7.1 ± 1.2, respectively). However, Z‐VAD‐FMK improved sperm membrane integrity (p < .05) and at the highest concentration tested decreased the proportion of sperm showing DNA fragmentation (p < .05). No differences were recorded in the percentage of spermatozoa with high ΔΨm (on average 57.0 ± 11.4). In conclusion, the treatment with 100 µM of the caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK before freezing increased bovine sperm mass motility and ΔΨm, while decreasing sperm DNA fragmentation. Treatment of semen after thawing with 100 µM Z‐VAD‐FMK improved sperm membrane integrity and reduced DNA fragmentation.
Changes in hydrodynamic process dominance (wave, tide or river) in foreland sequences: The subalpine Miocene Molasse revisited (France)
Authors: Kalifi Amir , Sorrel Philippe , Leloup Philippe‐Hervé , Spina Vincenzo , Huet Bastien , Galy Albert , Rubino Jean‐Loup , Pittet Bernard
Published: January 2020

A comprehensive sedimentological study was undertaken in the Miocene of the subalpine massifs and southern Jura (France) with the aim to constrain the evolution of process changes in third‐order sequences of peripheral foreland basins during the overfilled phase (i.e. sediment supply higher than accommodation space). Fieldwork analyses based on 35 sedimentological sections allowed the identification of four depositional models: wave dominated, mixed wave‐tide, river to tide and river dominated. The sections were dated using chemostratigraphy (i.e. marine strontium isotopic ratios), revealing three‐third‐order sequences between the Upper Aquitanian and the Langhian. Chronostratigraphical and sedimentological results document prominent and recurrent changes in depositional models along third‐order sequences: (i) in the earliest stage of the transgression, mixed‐energy coastal environments influenced by the local coastal morphology prevailed (in palaeo‐highs or incised valleys); (ii) during the course of the transgression, Gilbert delta deposits suggest a prominent steepening linked to a tectonic uplift in the proximal depozone (between the tectonically active frontal part of the orogenic wedge and the proximal foredeep). Instead, in the distal depozone (between the proximal foredeep and the proximal border of the flexural uplifted forebulge), deposits were characterized either by wave‐dominated or mixed wave‐tide environments and are likely eustatically‐driven; (iii) during the maximum flooding stage, water depth remained shallow below the storm‐weather wave base; and (iv) during the regression, the proximal depozone is characterized by the progradation of gravel‐rich fan deltas. In the distal depozone, mixed wave‐tide systems preceded the development of river to tidal depositional environments. These results were integrated and compared with facies models from other basin analogues worldwide. A model tackling the evolution of process changes within third‐order sequences (of the overfilled phase) of foreland basins is proposed, thereby improving sequence stratigraphic predictions in foreland basins.
Age‐related changes to characteristics of the human eyes in women from six different ethnicities
Authors: Flament Frederic , Francois Ghislain , Seyrek Inci , Saint‐Leger Didier
Published: January 2020

Background

To describe some morphological characteristics of the eyes of women of 6 different ethnicities and ages.

Material & Methods

Standard digital photographs of 3600 women of different ethnicities and ages were taken for evaluating the effects of some makeup products (eyeliners, mascaras, eyelids makeup, etc) through a before/after comparison. Photographs corresponding to pre‐applications offered opportunity to quantify, through image analysis, some features of the human eyes (height, length, ellipticity, horizontality, etc) for recording their possible variations linked to ethnicities and/or age.

Results

Although some minor differences between ethnicities were found (inter‐pupillary distance and inner canthal distance), most eyes criteria among the 11 recorded were comparable (height and length of the eyes, ellipticity, etc). The somewhat low variability of the latter more reflects individual morphologies, at comparable ages. Asian subjects significantly differ by a much more oblique orientation of their main axis versus the horizontal inter‐pupillary line. In all ethnicities, the skin aging process was found significantly altering i) the height of the eyes and ii) their orientation. Whereas the decrease of height likely results from a sagging of the upper eyelid, the decrease of orientation in all ethnicities (more marked among Asian women) possibly results from a sagging of the outer corner of the eyes. Whether this sagging may be related to the progressive outcome of crow's feet wrinkles is a plausible hypothesis.

Conclusion

The present work is an original and complementary approach to the skin aging process prone at modifying some characteristics of women eyes of different ethnicities.
Detecting Florida's Gerrymander: A Lesson in Putting First Things First
Authors: Best Robin E. , Krasno Jonathan S. , Magleby Daniel B. , McDonald Michael D.
Published: January 2020

Objective

We show that Florida's post‐2010 congressional districts were an ex ante knowable gerrymander, which, if diagnosed as a factual matter before enactment, would have avoided both the 2012 and 2014 harm and the state's unnecessarily burdensome reliance on a showing of intent.

Method

We recount the legal focus on intent, apply the McDonald‐Best equal vote weight effects test standard to the Florida facts, and use more than 25,000 simulated districting plans to check on whether there was a gerrymander effect.

Results

We find a pro‐Republican gerrymander effect could have been detected in advance of enacting Florida's redistricting plan.

Conclusion

In specific reference to Florida, we conclude the enacted districts could have been identified as a gerrymander beforehand, allowing court proceedings to move expeditiously and with a clear focus. As a general matter, we conclude a comprehensive approach to gerrymandering is best served by following a two‐part prescription: (1) set an effect standard for identifying a gerrymander and (2) know the intent by checking the facts against the standard.
Making Partisan Gerrymandering Fair: One Old and Two New Methods
Authors: Brams Steven J.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To introduce a novel way to make partisan gerrymandering fair.

Methods

In the context of two parties, divide a state into two geographical areas, each of which contain a number of districts that are roughly proportional to the share of the statewide vote received by each party in the last congressional elections. Allow each party to unilaterally design the districts in a designated area of the state, restricted only by traditional districting principles. Adaptations may be made to account for more than two parties.

Results

Each party gerrymanders but is limited to doing so in its designated area of the state, with results that are roughly proportional to the statewide vote.

Conclusion

“Fair gerrymandering” is a way to counter unfair partisan gerrymandering and it is likely to reduce the number of uncontested elections and increase voter turnout.
What happens at adolescent and young adult HIV clinics? A national survey of models of care, transition and disclosure practices in Kenya
Authors: Njuguna Irene , Beima‐Sofie Kristin , Mburu Caren , Black Danae , Evans Yolanda , Guthrie Brandon , Wagner Anjuli D , Mugo Cyrus , Neary Jillian , Itindi Janet , Onyango Alvin , Wamalwa Dalton , John‐Stewart Grace
Published: January 2020

Objective

Tailored services for adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV may improve treatment outcomes. We surveyed HIV clinics throughout Kenya to determine AYA clinic practices, disclosure and transition services.

Methods

We deployed a mobile team to conduct surveys in a random sample of 102 public HIV clinics with> 300 total clients. Data were collected from healthcare workers offering AYA services who had >6 months of experience delivering AYA care.

Results

Of 102 surveyed HIV clinics, almost all (101/102) had the same staff to provide services to all age groups. AYA‐specific services included dedicated clinic days (91%), the majority being on weekends (57%) and designated clinic spaces (20%). Activities to support AYA retention and adherence were common (support groups [97%] and HIV literacy meetings [93%]). Fewer clinics offered more holistic care, including psychosocial support (16%) and career education (2%), posted additional staff during the AYA day (17%), provided food (17%) or had sporting activities (10%) as incentives. Tracking of disclosure of HIV status to AYA was common (87%). In 40% of clinics, disclosure discussions with caregivers or AYA occurred a median of 2 years later in practice than stated in clinic policy. Transition was not routinely tracked, and definitions were heterogeneous. Median age at transition was reported as 20 years (range: 14–30 years).

Conclusion

HIV programmes have implemented varied approaches to enhance AYA services that could be leveraged to support transition to adult services. Research on the impact of these services on health outcomes is needed.
Markups, import competition and exporting
Authors: Caselli Mauro , Schiavo Stefano
Published: January 2020

This paper analyses the relationship between markups and international trade at the firm level using a large sample of French manufacturing firms for the period 1995–2007. In particular, the paper investigates the effect of increasing import competition from China on firms' price–cost margins and the way in which exporting interacts with this effect. The results show robust evidence that firms in more direct competition with Chinese imports decrease their markups. However, firms that become exporters experience a smaller reduction in their price–cost margins. Consistent with these findings, the results also show that firms facing tougher competition from China are more likely to start exporting to avoid such competitive pressures.
Isolation and identification of two phytotoxic compounds from the medicinal plant Cassia alata L.
Authors: Das Krishna Rany , Iwasaki Keitaro , Suenaga Kiyotake , Kato‐Noguchi Hisashi
Published: January 2020

Cassia alata (Caesalpiniaceae), an ornamental shrub, has many biological properties such as antifungal and antibacterial activities. Several bioactive and phytotoxic compounds have already been isolated from C. alata. Phytotoxic substances from plants have drawn attention as an alternative biological approach to control weeds. Thus, we conducted this research to explore other phytotoxic compounds in C. alata leaves. Aqueous methanol extracts of C. alata leaves strongly inhibited the seedling growth of broccoli, cabbage, cress, radish and rapeseed, in which the level of inhibition correlated with concentration. Two active compounds were isolated through chromatographies and identified using spectral data as (S)‐4‐(3‐hydroxybutyl)phenol [(+)‐rhododendrol] and (E)‐4‐((1R,4R)‐4‐hydroxy‐2,6,6‐trimethylcyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐yl)but‐3‐en‐2‐one [3‐hydroxy‐α‐ionone]. These two active compounds inhibited the growth of cress seedlings in a concentration‐dependent manner. The required concentrations for 50% growth inhibition (I50 value) of cress seedlings were 192.0–296.1 μM for (+)‐rhododendrol and 132.4–195.3 μM for 3‐hydroxy‐α‐ionone. These results indicate that the two phytotoxic compounds play a part in the phytotoxic activity of C. alata leaves.
Celos, desesperanza e ideación suicida en población con orientación sexual diversa
Authors: Avendaño-Prieto Bertha Lucía , Betancort Montesinos Moisés , Bernal-Aguirre Angela , González-Martínez Laura Andrea , Gómez-Sánchez Stephany M. , Villalobos-Sánchez Christian F.
Published: January 2020

Los celos, la desesperanza y la ideación suicida son emociones que disminuyen la calidad de vida de quienes los padecen y a quienes afectan. En el imaginario social, prevalece la idea de que tales problemas se exacerban en las parejas constituidas por personas con orientación sexual diversa, razón por la cual se analizó la relación entre estas variables, en un grupo constituido por heterosexuales (79 %) y no heterosexuales (21 %). La muestra fue intencional, los participantes fueron 288 colombianos, mayores de 18 años. La estrategia metodológica utilizada fue predictiva transversal. Los instrumentos empleados fueron el CECLA que evalúa clases de celos en población colombiana y el Inventario de Desesperanza e Ideación Suicida (IDIS). Respecto a la relación entre la orientación sexual y la ideación suicida, los resultados mostraron diferencias entre los heterosexuales y los otros dos grupos (homosexuales y bisexuales) F = 10.49, p < 0.05.  La prueba post hoc indicó que las diferencias se presentaron entre heterosexuales y homosexuales p < 0.05 y entre heterosexuales y bisexuales p < 0. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la orientación sexual y las variables celos y desesperanza. Pero independientemente de la orientación sexual, se halló relación entre la triada celos-desesperanza-ideación suicida, la cual se presenta en un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales.
Compatibility of Ionic Liquid With Glycerol Monooleate and Molybdenum Dithiocarbamate as Additives in Bio-Based Lubricant
Authors: Syahir A. Z. , Harith M. H. , Zulkifli N. W. M. , Masjuki H. H. , Kalam M. A. , Yusoff M. N. A. M. , Zulfattah Z. M. , Ibrahim T. M.
Published: January 2020

This study reports the tribological characteristics of trimethylolpropane trioleate (TMPTO) additivated with antifriction and antiwear additives, which are ionic liquid (IL), glycerol monooleate (GMO), and molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC). In addition, to obtain the ideal composition that results in the minimal coefficient of friction (COF), optimization tool was employed using response surface methodology (RSM) technique with the Box–Behnken design. The IL used in this study was a phosphorus-type IL, namely trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinate, [P14,6,6,6][TMPP]. The resulting COF and worn surface morphology were investigated using high-frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) tribotester and scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), respectively. From the experimental results, a second-order polynomial mathematical model was constructed and able to statistically predict the resulting COF. The optimized values that resulted in the lowest average COF of 0.0458 were as follows: 0.93 wt% IL, 1.49 wt% GMO, and 0.52 wt% MoDTC. The addition of IL into neat base oil managed to reduce the COF, while the combination of IL, GMO, and MoDTC at optimum concentration further reduced the average COF and wear as observed through SEM micrographs when compared with those of additive-free TMPTO, suggesting that GMO and MoDTC were compatible to be used with IL.