bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographic patterns in colonial reproductive strategy inMyrmecina nipponica: Links between biogeography and a key polymorphism in ants
Authors: Cronin Adam L. , Azuma Noriko , Miyazaki Satoshi , Oguri Emiko , Schwarz Michael P. , Ito Fuminori
Published: June 2020

The ability to express different phenotypes can help define species distributions by allowing access to, and exploitation of, new environments. Social insects employ two markedly different reproductive strategies with contrasting cost/benefit characteristics: independent colony foundation (ICF), which is associated with high dispersal range and high risk, and dependent colony foundation (DCF), characterized by low risk but low dispersal. The antMyrmecina nipponicaemploys both of these strategies, with the frequency of each apparently varying between populations. We combine molecular data with data on reproductive strategy from different populations of this species throughout Japan to explore how this polymorphism is linked to environmental factors and whether this relationship can help explain the current and historical biogeography of this species. Reproductive strategy exhibited a strong geographic pattern, with ICF predominant in southern populations and DCF more common in northern and southern highland populations. Molecular analyses clearly divided populations into broad geographic regions, with the southern lowland populations basal to (southern highland (+ northern)) populations. Intra‐population polymorphism in colony‐founding strategy was widespread, and polymorphism was reconstructed as the likely ancestral state. The frequency of different strategies was linked with climate, with DCF more common in colder areas. A recent inferred origin to the northern lineage suggests that colonization of northern Japan was a rapid event coincident with warming at the end of the Last Glacial Maxima, likely facilitated by the cold‐adaptive advantages of DCF. We discuss how such polymorphisms could help explain the biogeography of this and other social insects.
ZmSRL5is involved in drought tolerance by maintaining cuticular wax structure in maize
Authors: Pan Zhenyuan , Liu Min , Zhao Hailiang , Tan Zengdong , Liang Kun , Sun Qin , Gong Dianming , He Haijun , Zhou Wenqi , Qiu Fazhan
Published: June 2020

Cuticular wax is a natural barrier on terrestrial plant organs, which protects plants from damages caused by a variety of stresses. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of a cuticular‐wax‐related gene,Zea maysL.SEMI‐ROLLED LEAF 5(ZmSRL5). The loss‐of‐function mutantsrl5, which was created by a 3,745 bp insertion in the first intron that led to the premature transcript, exhibited abnormal wax crystal morphology and distribution, which, in turn, caused the pleiotropic phenotypes including increased chlorophyll leaching and water loss rate, decreased leaf temperature, sensitivity to drought, as well as semi‐rolled mature leaves. However, total wax amounts showed no significant difference between wild type andsemi‐rolled leaf5 (srl5)mutant. The phenotype ofsrl5was confirmed through the generation of two allelic mutants using CRISPR/Cas9.ZmSRL5encodes a CASPARIAN‐STRIP‐MEMBRANE‐DOMAIN‐LIKE (CASPL) protein located in plasma membrane, and highly expressed in developing leaves. Further analysis showed that the expressions of the most wax related genes were not affected or slightly altered insrl5. This study, thus, primarily uncovers thatZmSRL5is required for the structure formation of the cuticular wax and could increase the drought tolerance by maintaining the proper cuticular wax structure in maize.
Religion's influence on the financial well‐being of consumers: A conceptual framework and research agenda
Authors: Sarofim Samer , Minton Elizabeth , Hunting Amabel , Bartholomew Darrell E. , Zehra Saman , Montford William , Cabano Frank , Paul Pallab
Published: June 2020

Religion is an indelible force in society, yet research examining its influence on consumption, particularly in the context of financial well‐being is lacking. Thus, this paper presents a conceptual framework of factors influencing, and outcomes associated with, the effects of religion on financial well‐being. Specifically, this paper introduces a conceptual framework aimed at understanding how religion influences financial decisions and well‐being, both from a consumer and a business perspective. Focus groups were conducted with consumers and financial practitioners to support the development of the conceptual framework. Most novel to this framework is the identification of potential process mechanisms explaining this relationship, including trust, affect, risk propensity, and perceived personal control. The framework concludes with potential interventions targeted at consumers and businesses to improve financial well‐being. This propositions‐based conceptual framework serves as a research agenda to guide and aid scholars, consumer advocacy groups, policymakers, and marketers in promoting greater financial well‐being.
Tooth Shade Preferences among the General Public
Authors: Almufleh Balqees , Emami Elham , Al‐Khateeb Aliaa , Del Monte Stefano , Tamimi Faleh
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To identify laypersons’ most preferred tooth shade as a function of observer and patient factors, namely patients’ skin shade and observers’ socio‐demographics.

Materials and Methods

Two online surveys using computer‐designed perioral images with different shades of the skin and teeth were distributed to participants in Montreal (Canada) and San Francisco (USA). The first survey (n = 120) was designed to assess public preferences of tooth shade value, hue and chroma as a function of the skin color of the perioral image (model), and the demographic characteristics of the observer.

The first survey included 6 sets of 9 identical perioral images. A different skin shade (from very dark to very light) was used for each set of images, and each set of images presented teeth with different tooth shades which included three different levels of value (2M1, 3M1, 4M1), hue (3L1.5, 3M1, 3R1.5), and chroma (3M1, 3M2, 3M3) of the Vita 3D Master shade guide. Participants were asked to choose their preferred image for each category (value, hue, chroma) within each set of skin shades.

A second survey was performed to pinpoint the tooth shade that is preferred the most by the general public. In this survey, images with four tooth shades (1M1, 2M1, 3M1, 4M1) and 6 skin shades were distributed (n = 70). Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors of preferred tooth shades.

Results

Most of the participants preferred teeth with the highest value (54%), a neutral hue (59%) and the lowest chroma (89%). About 75% of the participants preferred 1M1 the lightest tooth shade over other shades regardless of their demographics or skin color of the model. Among the observer‐related variable, age was the most significant predictor of people preferred tooth shade (p = 0.019).

Conclusion

This study showed that there are common preferences in terms of tooth shade value, hue and chroma among participants regardless of demographic variables and facial skin shades. This data could guide dentists for tooth shade selection in the clinical practice.
Annuitization and aggregate mortality risk
Authors: Andersen Torben M. , Gestsson Marias H.
Published: June 2020

It is well established that annuities can fully diversify idiosyncratic mortality risks. However, survival rates at the cohort level are changing, raising the question what is the scope of annuities in the presence of aggregate mortality risk? In an overlapping generations setting, we show that risk free annuities exist, but offer a return below the (fair) certainty equivalent return, and agents do not fully annuitize their savings. Higher aggregate mortality risk increases savings and thus the mean level of the capital stock. This lowers the mean rate of return on capital, the survival premium on annuities and the share of individual savings in annuities.
Effects of crude protein and sodium intake on water turnover in cats fed extruded diets
Authors: Garcia Caroline A. , Loureiro Bruna A. , Peres Francine M. , Goloni Camila , Di Santo Ludmilla G. , Mendonça Fernanda S. , Carciofi Aulus C.
Published: June 2020

The comprehension of strategies to increase urine production may be important, especially in kibble diets to prevent urolithiasis in cats. The effects of increasing amounts of crude protein (CP) and sodium on the water turnover of cats were evaluated using the water balance (WB) method and the deuterium dilution technique. The study followed a randomized block design, with three blocks of eight cats, two cats per food type in each block, and six cats per food. Four extruded diets with different amounts of CP and sodium were evaluated (on DM basis): 28% CP and 0.58% sodium; 39% CP and 0.64% sodium; 52% CP and 0.76% sodium; and 64% CP and 0.87% sodium. Cats were individually housed in cages for 8 days to measure WB, urea excretion, and faecal and urine characteristics. Deuterium oxide was used to evaluate water turnover, and during the period cats were housed in a collective cattery. The data were analysed by anFtest, and the means were compared by polynomial contrasts. The ɑ level of significance was set at 0.05. The methods were compared by Pearson correlation, and Bland and Altman analysis. The increase in the CP content elevated linearly the renal excretion of urea (p < .001), and, together with the higher sodium intake, elevated the renal solute load, which resulted in a linear increase in urine production and water intake (p < .01). The urine density, metabolic water, and faecal and insensible water losses did not differ (p > .05). The water flux increased linearly when using the deuterium method (p < .001), but the obtained values were 20.85 ± 11.11 ml/cat/day higher than those verified using the WB method (p = .001). Higher CP and sodium amounts in dry diets increased the urine production and water consumption of cats, and this can be explored as a possible option to increase urination.
Understanding consumer perception of deep‐fried battered and breaded coatings
Authors: Voong Kha Y. , Norton‐Welch Abigail , Mills Thomas
Published: June 2020

This study aims to investigate three types of deep‐fried battered and breadcrumb coatings (fine, medium, and coarse), each coating varying in breadcrumb size. Instrumental testing using X‐ray micro‐computerized tomography, texture analysis, and acoustic analysis confirms significant differences between each sample in terms of physical and mechanical properties. Four hedonic and 9 sensory attributes were evaluated by 185 consumers for preference and acceptance (9‐point scale and just‐about‐right‐scale). Penalty analysis confirmed significant mean drops within all three samples (p < .05), “coarse” having the most and “medium” having the least. This explains “medium” having the overall highest liking score (6.72) and coarse having significantly lower (5.88). Crispness is an important textural attribute representing freshness and quality of deep‐fried coatings. However, penalty analysis shows “coarse” coatings with the highest crispness scores, resulting in the greatest significant mean drop (2.01) and lowest overall liking. A combination of flavor, appearance, and texture‐related attributes significantly reduce hedonic score (p < .05). Agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis confirms three clusters of consumers based on liking for either “coarse,” “medium,” or “fine.” Each of these samples has a significant difference in the microstructure. Chi‐square test confirms a significant difference in product quality, purchase intent, and met expectations between samples in each cluster group (p < .05). The findings in this research highlight how differences in microstructure of battered and breaded coatings influence textural properties and consumer preference. This can be applied to a wide battered and breaded goods.
Insulin dysregulation in a population of Finnhorses and associated phenotypic markers of obesity
Authors: Box Justin R. , McGowan Cathy M. , Raekallio Marja R. , Mykkänen Anna K. , Carslake Harry , Karikoski Ninja P.
Published: June 2020

Background

Obesity and insulin dysregulation (ID) predispose horses to laminitis. Determination of management practices or phenotypic markers associated with ID may benefit animal welfare.

Objectives

Determine ID status of a population of Finnhorses using an oral sugar test (OST) and compare phenotypes and management factors between ID and non‐ID Finnhorses.

Animals

One hundred twenty‐eight purebred Finnhorses ≥3 years of age.

Methods

Owners were recruited using an online questionnaire regarding signalment, history, feeding, and exercise of their horses. Selected contributing stables within a predefined area were visited. Phenotypic markers of obesity and the weight of each horse were recorded. After fasting overnight, horses received 0.45 mL/kg corn syrup PO. Serum samples before and at 60 and 90 minutes after syrup administration were analyzed for insulin by chemiluminescent assay. Horses met ID criteria if insulin concentrations were ≥33 μIU/mL at T0, ≥66 μIU/mL at T60 or T90 or some combination thereof. Associations between phenotypic markers, feeding and exercise variables, and ID were examined using mixed effects logistic regression modeling.

Results

Several phenotypic markers of obesity were significant on univariable analysis but in the final multivariable model, only obesity (body condition score  ≥8) was associated with ID (P = .04). Over half of the horses (60% [95% confidence interval (CI), 51%‐68%]) were considered overweight or obese whereas 16% (95% CI, 10%‐23%) were classified as having ID.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Because obesity is associated with ID in cold‐blooded type horses, objective monitoring of phenotypic markers by owners may be beneficial for health outcomes.
Vitamin D status in cats with cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ware Wendy A. , Freeman Lisa M. , Rush John E. , Ward Jessica L. , Makowski Andrew J. , Zhang Min
Published: June 2020

Background

Low vitamin D concentrations have been associated with advanced heart disease and poorer outcomes in people and dogs. Vitamin D status typically is assessed by serum 25(OH)D concentration. However, cats also produce notable amounts of a C‐3 epimer of 25(OH)D (3‐epi).

Hypothesis/Objectives

Determine if vitamin D status, estimated by 25(OH)D3 alone or combined with 3‐epi (summation vitD), is lower in cats with cardiomyopathy (CM) compared to clinically normal (N) cats and if indicators of disease severity are associated with vitamin D status.

Animals

Privately owned cats, 44 with CM and 56 N.

Methods

Cross‐sectional observational study using clinical and echocardiographic findings, diet history, and serum 25(OH)D3 and 3‐epi measurements.

Results

Cat age was negatively related to vitamin D status. Summation vitD was lower in CM cats (median = 47.1 ng/mL) compared to N cats (median = 58.65 ng/mL) both before (P = .03) and after (P = .04) accounting for age. However, 25(OH)D3 became nonsignificant between CM and N cats after age was included. Summation vitD was related positively to survival time and fractional shortening (FS), but negatively to left atrial enlargement (LAE) severity, both before and after accounting for age. For 25(OH)D3 alone, only survival time and FS remained significant after including age.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

We report 25(OH)D3 and 3‐epi concentrations in CM and N cats. Age had an important (negative) relationship to vitamin D status. After accounting for age, summation vitD was lower in CM cats. Vitamin D status was related positively to survival time and FS, but negatively to LAE severity.
Experience not consciousness, backwaters not streams: Dorothy Richardson's “investigation of reality”
Authors: McCracken Scott
Published: June 2020

When May Sinclair used the phrase “stream of consciousness” to describe Dorothy Richardson's long narrative, Pilgrimage, she could not have predicted that phrase would become a sweeping description for a whole category of early twentieth‐century texts. However, while Richardson never denied consciousness was her subject, she conceived a lifelong dislike, sometimes expressed as an explicit hatred, of the metaphor of the stream. Rather than developing a theory of mind, Richardson wanted to refashion the novel form to represent women's experience. Though Pilgrimage does dwell on nominally subjective states – waiting, being bored, loneliness, sadness, frustrated desire, a sense of being stuck – experience for its heroine, Miriam Henderson, is always relational, that is always about the experience of being‐with not just being. Pilgrimage's frequent representations of an absence of connection should not be read as implying that social being is not possible, rather that society as it is currently constituted does not yet allow Richardson's protagonist, Miriam Henderson, to be‐with in the way that she desires.
Unclean stream: Representing selfhood in Joyce and Lewis
Authors: Thurston Luke
Published: June 2020

This article explores questions of selfhood in Joyce's Ulysses and the early work of Wyndham Lewis. I argue that although Joyce apparently uses the stylistic technique of “stream of consciousness” to unravel the consistent agency of the conscious ego, in so doing his writing both echoes the discoveries of early twentieth century science and re‐inscribes the ethical potential of subjectivity. I follow the trajectory of Scott Klein by examining the supposed literary rivalry between Joyce and Wyndham Lewis in terms of contrasting strategies for representing the “I” and the eye, the ego and the gaze. In Lewis' early work with its “wild anthropology,” I trace a critique of the model of subjectivity implied by “stream of consciousness,” a critique that anticipates key aspects of psychoanalytic theory. By switching the narrative centre from the logocentric “I” to the toxic gaze of the Other, Lewis aims to challenge the metaphysical presuppositions of “stream of consciousness” and thus expose one of the defining techniques of modernist writing as deluded or fraudulent. I conclude by examining the political dimension of Lewis' early work, arguing that the modernist stream of consciousness should be seen not merely as a stylistic practice but as an ethical one (in the sense indicated by Marian Eide).
Flammability thresholds or flammability gradients? Determinants of fire across savanna–forest transitions
Authors: Newberry Brooklynn M. , Power Collin R. , Abreu Rodolfo C. R. , Durigan Giselda , Rossatto Davi R. , Hoffmann William A.
Published: June 2020

Vegetation–fire feedbacks are important for determining the distribution of forest and savanna. To understand how vegetation structure controls these feedbacks, we quantified flammability across gradients of tree density from grassland to forest in the Brazilian Cerrado.

We experimentally burned 102 plots, for which we measured vegetation structure, fuels, microclimate, ignition success and fire behavior.

Tree density had strong negative effects on ignition success, rate of spread, fire‐line intensity and flame height. Declining grass biomass was the principal cause of this decline in flammability as tree density increased, but increasing fuel moisture contributed. Although the response of flammability to tree cover often is portrayed as an abrupt, largely invariant threshold, we found the response to be gradual, with considerable variability driven largely by temporal changes in atmospheric humidity. Even when accounting for humidity, flammability at intermediate tree densities cannot be predicted reliably.

Fire spread in savanna–forest mosaics is not as deterministic as often assumed, but may appear so where vegetation boundaries are already sharp. Where transitions are diffuse, fire spread is difficult to predict, but should become increasingly predictable over multiple fire cycles, as boundaries are progressively sharpened until flammability appears to respond in a threshold‐like manner.
The Arabidopsis Nα‐acetyltransferase NAA60 locates to the plasma membrane and is vital for the high salt stress response
Authors: Linster Eric , Layer Dominik , Bienvenut Willy V. , Dinh Trinh V. , Weyer Felix A. , Leemhuis Wiebke , Brünje Annika , Hoffrichter Marion , Miklankova Pavlina , Kopp Jürgen , Lapouge Karine , Sindlinger Julia , Schwarzer Dirk , Meinnel Thierry , Finkemeier Iris , Giglione Carmela , Hell Ruediger , Sinning Irmgard , Wirtz Markus
Published: June 2020

In humans and plants, N‐terminal acetylation plays a central role in protein homeostasis, affects 80% of proteins in the cytoplasm and is catalyzed by five ribosome‐associated N‐acetyltransferases (NatA–E). Humans also possess a Golgi‐associated NatF (HsNAA60) that is essential for Golgi integrity. Remarkably, NAA60 is absent in fungi and has not been identified in plants.

Here we identify and characterize the first plasma membrane‐anchored post‐translationally acting N‐acetyltransferase AtNAA60 in the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana by the combined application of reverse genetics, global proteomics, live‐cell imaging, microscale thermophoresis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, nano‐differential scanning fluorometry, intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and X‐ray crystallography.

We demonstrate that AtNAA60, like HsNAA60, is membrane‐localized in vivo by an α‐helical membrane anchor at its C‐terminus, but in contrast to HsNAA60, AtNAA60 localizes to the plasma membrane. The AtNAA60 crystal structure provides insights into substrate‐binding, the broad substrate specificity and the catalytic mechanism probed by structure‐based mutagenesis. Characterization of the NAA60 loss‐of‐function mutants (naa60‐1 and naa60‐2) uncovers a plasma membrane‐localized substrate of AtNAA60 and the importance of NAA60 during high salt stress.

Our findings provide evidence for the plant‐specific evolution of a plasma membrane‐anchored N‐acetyltransferase that is vital for adaptation to stress.
Changes in soil fungal community composition depend on functional group and forest disturbance type
Authors: Rodriguez‐Ramos Jean C. , Cale Jonathan A. , Cahill James F. , Simard Suzanne W. , Karst Justine , Erbilgin Nadir
Published: June 2020

Disturbances have altered community dynamics in boreal forests with unknown consequences for belowground ecological processes. Soil fungi are particularly sensitive to such disturbances; however, the individual response of fungal guilds to different disturbance types is poorly understood.

Here, we profiled soil fungal communities in lodgepole pine forests following a bark beetle outbreak, wildfire, clear‐cut logging, and salvage‐logging. Using Illumina MiSeq to sequence ITS1 and SSU rDNA, we characterized communities of ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal, saprotrophic, and pathogenic fungi in sites representing each disturbance type paired with intact forests. We also quantified soil fungal biomass by measuring ergosterol.

Abiotic disturbances changed the community composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi and shifted the dominance from ectomycorrhizal to saprotrophic fungi compared to intact forests. The disruption of the soil organic layer with disturbances correlated with the decline of ectomycorrhizal and the increase of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Wildfire changed the community composition of pathogenic fungi but did not affect their proportion and diversity. Fungal biomass declined with disturbances that disrupted the forest floor.

Our results suggest that the disruption of the forest floor with disturbances, and the changes in C and nutrient dynamics it may promote, structure the fungal community with implications for fungal biomass–C.
The role of root community attributes in predicting soil fungal and bacterial community patterns
Authors: López‐Angulo Jesús , de la Cruz Marcelino , Chacón‐Labella Julia , Illuminati Angela , Matesanz Silvia , Pescador David S. , Pías Beatriz , Sánchez Ana M. , Escudero Adrián
Published: June 2020

Roots are assumed to play a major role in structuring soil microbial communities, but most studies exploring the relationships between microbes and plants at the community level have only used aboveground plant distribution as a proxy. However, a decoupling between belowground and aboveground plant components may occur due to differential spreading of plant canopies and root systems. Thus, soil microbe–plant links are not completely understood.

Using a combination of DNA metabarcoding and spatially explicit sampling at the plant neighbourhood scale, we assessed the influence of the plant root community on soil bacterial and fungal diversity (species richness, composition and β‐diversity) in a dry Mediterranean scrubland.

We found that root composition and biomass, but not richness, predict unique fractions of variation in microbial richness and composition. Moreover, bacterial β‐diversity was related to root β‐diversity, while fungal β‐diversity was related to aboveground plant β‐diversity, suggesting that plants differently influence both microbial groups.

Our study highlights the role of plant distribution both belowground and aboveground, soil properties and other spatially structured factors in explaining the heterogeneity in soil microbial diversity. These results also show that incorporating data on both plant community compartments will further our understanding of the relationships between soil microbial and plant communities.
E‐cigarettes damage the liver and alter nutrient metabolism in pregnant mice and their offspring
Authors: Li Gerard , Chan Yik L. , Wang Baoming , Saad Sonia , George Jacob , Oliver Brian G. , Chen Hui
Published: June 2020

Approximately 15% of pregnant women vape electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes), exposing the fetus to a range of toxic compounds, including nicotine and by‐products of e‐cigarette liquid (e‐liquid) pyrolysis. Owing to the recent emergence of these products, research mainly focuses on immediate users, and not on in utero exposure. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the impact of intrauterine e‐cigarette vapor (e‐vapor) exposure, with and without nicotine, on liver metabolic markers in the male offspring. E‐vapor was generated using an e‐cigarette filled with tobacco‐flavored e‐liquid (18 or 0 mg/mL nicotine). Female Balb/c mice were exposed to e‐vapor for 6 weeks before mating, through gestation and lactation, without direct exposure to the offspring. Livers and plasma from dams and male offspring (13 weeks old) were examined. Exposure to nicotine‐free e‐vapor promoted metabolic changes and liver damage in both the dams and their offspring. Furthermore, exposure to nicotine‐containing e‐vapor did not cause liver damage but induced hepatic steatosis in the adult offspring. Therefore, maternal vaping is detrimental to both the dams and their offspring, with nicotine providing a potential protective effect.
Autopsy evaluation of the implantation site of a His bundle pacing lead demonstrating selective capture
Authors: Kato Hiroyuki , Igawa Osamu , Suga Kazumasa , Murakami Hisashi , Kada Kenji , Tsuboi Naoya , Yanagisawa Satoshi , Inden Yasuya , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: June 2020

Evaluations of His bundle pacing (HBP) lead location at autopsy examination have been rarely reported. We report an autopsy case of a 98‐year‐old man who underwent HBP implantation due to atrioventricular block and heart failure. Although selective HBP was achieved with an acceptable threshold, the stimulus‐to‐QRS interval was relatively longer without correction of the right bundle‐branch block. A macroscopic examination revealed that the HBP lead was inserted on the ventricular side passing through the anteroseptal commissure of the tricuspid valve. Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis may affect the distal conduction system resulting in a long stimulus‐to‐QRS interval during selective HBP.
Time course of attentional bias in social anxiety: The effects of spatial frequencies and individual threats
Authors: Dong Xiaofei , Gao Chuanji , Guo Chunyan , Li Wen , Cui Lixia
Published: June 2020

Hypervigilance and attentional bias to threat faces with low‐spatial‐frequency (LSF) information have been found in individuals with social anxiety. The vigilance–avoidance hypothesis posits that socially anxious individuals exhibit initial vigilance and later avoidance to threatening cues. However, the temporal dynamics of these two processes in response to various LSF threats in social anxiety remain unclear. In the current study, we presented faces containing anger, disgust, and fear in high and low spatial frequencies and compared the neural correlates with sensory perception and attention in individuals with high versus low social anxiety (HSA/LSA, n = 24). A visual search task was used to investigate the attentional effects of threats and spatial frequencies, and event‐related potentials, particularly, the visual components of P1 and P250, were measured to index visual perceptual and attentional processes, respectively. We found that HSA individuals showed pronounced P1 and reduced P250 to LSF (vs. HSF) faces, regardless of emotion type, suggesting a general pattern of initial vigilance and later avoidance to LSF faces in social anxiety. Furthermore, while LSA individuals showed enhanced P250 to both fear and disgust (vs. neutral) faces, HSA individuals showed pronounced P250 to disgust faces alone. Our results, thus, elucidate the temporal profile of early vigilance and later avoidance in social anxiety, highlighting its broad implication for all faces and predominance in the low spatial frequency. Considering individual threats, our results demonstrate specific attentional avoidance of fear faces in social anxiety.
Beyond the Low‐Hanging Fruit: Reducing Racial Inequality by Rethinking School Safety Efforts
Authors: Kupchik Aaron
Published: June 2020

In this essay, I examine the problem of excessive and racially disproportionate school discipline. I begin by considering how each of the four most popular Democratic candidates in the presidential primary race as of January 2020 addresses this issue. Excessive and racially disproportionate school discipline harms students, schools, and communities, and it deepens existing racial inequalities. Each candidate promises some remedy, and all represent a step in the right direction. However, all of their proposals are shallow. To fruitfully address these issues, policymakers must consider the cultural embeddedness of school discipline, how it is implemented within complex school bureaucracies, and the underlying racial inequality that shapes school discipline. Policymakers must also draw attention to the fact that schools are, overall, safe and do not require the massive investments in security personnel and technology that draw funds away from more effective supports for students.
Two novel HLA alleles, HLA‐DRB1*14:223 and HLA‐DQB1*03:01:49, detected in a Buryat individual
Authors: Loginova M. , Smirnova D. , Paramonov I. , Zarubin M.
Published: June 2020

Two new alleles were characterized by next generation sequencing in a Buryat individual.
US–China rivalry: The macro policy choices
Authors: Tyers Rod , Zhou Yixiao
Published: June 2020

Stylised representations of recent US and Chinese tax reforms, tariffs against imports and alternative Chinese monetary targeting are examined using a calibrated global macro model that embodies both trade and financial interdependencies. For both countries, unilateral capital tax relief and bilateral tariffs are shown to be ‘beggar thy neighbor’ policies. As large economies, both enjoy ‘optimal tariffs’, even bilaterally, though net outcomes are shown to depend on the allocation of revenues. Bilateral tariffs are most advantageous for the US if the additional revenue finances indirect tax relief. Once US bilateral tariffs are imposed, China is a net loser irrespective of its policy response, though a currency float is shown to cushion the effects on its GDP in the short run. Equilibria in normal form non‐cooperative tariff games have the US imposing tariffs while China liberalises.
First robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy in a client‐owned Bernese mountain dog with prostatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Schlake Alexander , Dell'Oglio Paolo , Devriendt Nausikaa , Stammeleer Lisa , Binetti Anna , Bauwens Kevin , Terriere Naomi , Saunders Jimmy , Mottrie Alexandre , de Rooster Hilde
Published: June 2020

Objective

To describe robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and report the short‐term outcome of a dog with prostatic cancer treated with RARP.

Study design

Case report

Animals

Client‐owned 6‐year‐old male‐neutered Bernese mountain dog.

Methods

Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy was performed with a daVinci Si Surgical System through a transperitoneal approach. An interfascial nerve‐sparing approach was used to preserve the neurovascular bundles and increase the likelihood of postoperative urinary continence. Urinary continence was assessed by placing white cloth bedding in the kennel during hospitalization and by owners' observation at home.

Results

The console time was 120 minutes, and the estimated intraoperative blood loss was 30 mL. No intraoperative complications were observed. The urinary catheter was removed after 7 days, at which point the dog urinated normally. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was diagnosed 43 days after surgery, and the dog was euthanized.

Conclusion

Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy was successfully completed in a dog with prostatic neoplasia and led to postoperative urinary continence.

Clinical significance

This single‐case report provides evidence to justify further evaluation of RARP in dogs with prostatic neoplasms.
Performance Evaluation of a 1 kW Variable Pitch-Straight Blade Vertical Axis Wind Turbine
Authors: Jamal Muhammad Azfar , Shah Owaisur Rahman
Published: June 2020

This research work represents a study of the design, analysis, and experimental study of a 1 kW variable pitch-straight blade vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) using natural fiber reinforced composite. Wind turbine which is an emerging technology is of great interest for researchers nowadays. The VAWT was chosen for this study because of its numerous advantages over horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). A new concept of variable pitch was implemented by the introduction of a pitching mechanism associated with the turbine blades which helps the blade to maximize the generation of torque and power. For this purpose, the straight blade H-rotor design was chosen. The analytical calculations were performed for variable pitch and the fixed pitch blade followed by the computer aided design modeling of the rotor exhibiting the variable pitching mechanism. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the blade at the azimuth position of 0–360 deg was performed and the CFD results were imported into static structural module of ansys for the finite element analysis of the blade. The blade was 3D-printed at a reduced scale and tested in a wind tunnel for aerodynamic properties including lift, drag, and aerodynamic forces. A comparison was done between the analytical, software, and experimental values. Furthermore, basalt fiber which is a natural fiber was used as the material for the turbine blade and analysis was performed to obtain high strength to weight ratio of the composite material. The structure was analyzed under the damage tolerance study to determine for how long the structure can bear damage. The experimental results showed a good agreement with the analytical and numerical values. The introduction of the variable pitching mechanism resulted in an increase in the cumulative torque as compared with the fixed pitching mechanism which in turn enhanced the resulting power.
Area-selective atomic layer deposition of molybdenum oxide
Authors: Kvalvik Julie Nitsche , Borgersen Jon , Hansen Per-Anders , Nilsen Ola
Published: June 2020

Area-selective bottom-up synthesis routes of thin films are required to overcome the current limits in lithography, and such growth can be achieved with high quality and nanometer thickness control by area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD). However, the current range of materials demonstrated deposited by AS-ALD is limited, and no processes for molybdenum oxide have been available so far. In this work, the authors explore the properties of a new ALD precursor, MoCl4O, for deposition of molybdenum oxides by ALD. MoCl4O is administered at room temperature during deposition, making it readily available for use. When reacted with a combination of water and ozone, it leads to an AS-ALD process for deposition of MoOx—the first reported. The process is perfectly selective for growth on glass as compared to Si(100) substrates for deposition temperatures between 200 and 300 °C, with a growth rate of 0.72 Å/cycle at 300 °C. The process is attempted on a range of substrates proving good growth on soda-lime glass and LiF and no growth on Si(100), silica, Na2CO3, CaCO3, Li3PO3, or Li2SiO3. The findings of this study indicate an activated process by diffusion of sodium or lithium through the film during growth. The obtained films have further been characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy, revealing films with an RSM roughness of 23 nm with the presence of crystalline MoO2 (C P/m) when deposited at 300 °C and crystalline Mo9O26 when deposited at 250 °C. The rough MoOx thin films may be applicable for electrocatalysis, gas sensors, or lithium-ion batteries. The findings of this study enable AS-ALD synthesis of molybdenum oxide with excellent selectivity not dependent on intermittent etching cycles during growth.
Nonlinear reflection as a cause of the short-latency component in stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions simulated by the methods of compression and suppression
Authors: Vencovský Václav , Vetešník Aleš , Gummer Anthony W.
Published: June 2020

Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) are generated by coherent reflection of forward traveling waves by perturbations along the basilar membrane. The strongest wavelets are backscattered near the place where the traveling wave reaches its maximal amplitude (tonotopic place). Therefore, the SFOAE group delay might be expected to be twice the group delay estimated in the cochlear filters. However, experimental data have yielded steady-state SFOAE components with near-zero latency. A cochlear model is used to show that short-latency SFOAE components can be generated due to nonlinear reflection of the compressor or suppressor tones used in SFOAE measurements. The simulations indicate that suppressors produce more pronounced short-latency components than compressors. The existence of nonlinear reflection components due to suppressors can also explain why SFOAEs can still be detected when suppressors are presented more than half an octave above the probe-tone frequency. Simulations of the SFOAE suppression tuning curves showed that phase changes in the SFOAE residual as the suppressor frequency increases are mostly determined by phase changes of the nonlinear reflection component.
TET2 deficiency reprograms the germinal center B cell epigenome and silences genes linked to lymphomagenesis
Authors: Rosikiewicz Wojciech , Chen Xiaowen , Dominguez Pilar M. , Ghamlouch Hussein , Aoufouchi Said , Bernard Olivier A. , Melnick Ari , Li Sheng
Published: June 2020

TET2 deficiency reprograms B cell epigenome linked to lymphomagenesis.
Genome-wide kinetic properties of transcriptional bursting in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Ochiai Hiroshi , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Umeda Mana , Yoshimura Mika , Harada Akihito , Shimizu Yukiko , Nakano Kenta , Saitoh Noriko , Liu Zhe , Yamamoto Takashi , Okamura Tadashi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Kimura Hiroshi , Nikaido Itoshi
Published: June 2020

The kinetic properties of transcriptional bursting were comprehensively analyzed in mouse embryonic stem cells.
Probing dynamical phase transitions with a superconducting quantum simulator
Authors: Xu Kai , Sun Zheng-Hang , Liu Wuxin , Zhang Yu-Ran , Li Hekang , Dong Hang , Ren Wenhui , Zhang Pengfei , Nori Franco , Zheng Dongning , Fan Heng , Wang H.
Published: June 2020

Superconducting simulators are used to investigate dynamical phase transitions, revealing their applications in quantum metrology.
Biochemical pedomorphosis and genetic assimilation in the hypoxia adaptation of Tibetan antelope
Authors: Signore Anthony V. , Storz Jay F.
Published: June 2020

Tibetan antelope have adapted to high-altitude hypoxia via juvenilization of blood properties.
Elucidating the interaction dynamics between microswimmer body and immune system for medical microrobots
Authors: Yasa Immihan Ceren , Ceylan Hakan , Bozuyuk Ugur , Wild Anna-Maria , Sitti Metin
Published: June 2020

Morphology-dependent immunogenicity obliges a compromise on the locomotion-focused design of medical microrobots.
Immune evasion by designer microrobots
Authors: Sakar Mahmut Selman
Published: June 2020

Recent work is unveiling the interactions between magnetic microswimmers and cells of the immune system.
Structural Characterization of TssL from Acinetobacter baumannii: a Key Component of the Type VI Secretion System
Authors: Ruiz Federico M. , Lopez Juvenal , Ferrara C. Gastón , Santillana Elena , Espinosa Yanis R. , Feldman Mario F. , Romero Antonio
Published: June 2020

Several
Acinetobacter
species carry one functional type VI secretion system (T6SS). The T6SS is encoded in a single locus containing 16 conserved genes, most of which code for proteins essential to T6SS activity. One of these key components is TssL, a cytoplasmic protein bound to the inner membrane. Despite its importance and its particular characteristics, the structure of T6SS in
A. baumannii
remains understudied. Here, we present structural,
in silico
, and
in vivo
studies of TssL, highlighting the importance of two well-conserved residues and improving our understanding of this secretion system in this bacterium.
Complete Genome Sequences of Seven Strains of
Pseudomonas
spp. Isolated from Boreal Forest Soil in Interior Alaska
Authors: Haan Tracie , Seitz Taylor J. , Francisco Alexis , Glinter Kaytlin , Gloger Alexander , Kardash Anna , Matsui Nana , Reast Emily , Rosander Kaelen , Sonnek Carmen , Wellman Rebecca , Drown Devin M.
Published: June 2020

Here, we describe the complete genome assemblies of seven
Pseudomonas
sp. isolates collected from a boreal forest soil on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. Using the VolTRAX v2 multiplex library preparation for Nanopore sequencing and Illumina reads for polishing, we assembled complete genome sequences for each of the isolates.
Draft Genome Sequences of Xylella fastidiosa subsp.
fastidiosa
Strains OK3, VB11, and NOB1, Isolated from Bunch and Muscadine Grapes Grown in Southern Mississippi
Authors: Mavrodi Olga V. , Mavrodi Dmitri V. , Stafne Eric T. , Adamczyk John J. , Babiker Ebrahiem M.
Published: June 2020

We report here high-quality draft whole-genome assemblies of
Xylella fastidiosa
subsp.
fastidiosa
strains OK3, VB11, and NOB1, which were isolated from symptomatic bunch and muscadine grape plants grown in southern Mississippi.
COnTORT: COmprehensive Transcriptomic ORganizational Tool for Simultaneously Retrieving and Organizing Numerous Gene Expression Data Sets from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus Database
Authors: Myers Kevin S. , Place Michael , Noguera Daniel R. , Donohue Timothy J.
Published: June 2020

We introduce COnTORT (
CO
mprehensive
T
ranscriptomic
OR
ganizational
T
ool), a publicly available program that retrieves all available gene expression data and associated metadata for an organism from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The data are compiled into text files that can be used for downstream bioinformatic applications.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five
Carnobacterium
sp. Strains Isolated from Freshwater Ponds in Belgium
Authors: Korzeniowski Konrad J. , Mukherjee Shinjini , Souffreau Caroline
Published: June 2020

Strains belonging to the genus
Carnobacterium
are Gram-positive bacteria that are widely distributed in the environment. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of five
Carnobacterium
strains isolated from freshwater ponds located in Flanders, Belgium, and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform.
Subduction of trench-fill sediments beneath an accretionary wedge: Insights from sandbox analogue experiments
Authors: Noda Atsushi , Koge Hiroaki , Yamada Yasuhiro , Miyakawa Ayumu , Ashi Juichiro
Published: June 2020

Sandy trench-fill sediments at accretionary margins are commonly scraped off at the frontal wedge and rarely subducted to the depth of high-pressure (HP) metamorphism. However, some ancient exhumed accretionary complexes are associated with high-pressure–low-temperature (HP-LT) metamorphic rocks, such as psammitic schists, which are derived from sandy trench-fill sediments. This study used sandbox analogue experiments to investigate the role of seafloor topography in the transport of trench-fill sediments to depth during subduction. We conducted two different types of experiments, with or without a rigid topographic high (representing a seamount). We used an undeformable backstop that was unfixed to the side wall of the apparatus to allow a seamount to be subducted beneath the overriding plate. In experiments without a seamount, progressive thickening of the accretionary wedge pushed the backstop down, leading to a stepping down of the décollement, narrowing of the subduction channel, and underplating of the wedge with subducting sediment. In contrast, in experiments with a topographic high, the subduction of the topographic high raised the backstop, leading to a stepping up of the décollement and widening of the subduction channel. These results suggest that the subduction of stiff topographic relief beneath an inflexible overriding plate might enable trench-fill sediments to be deeply subducted and to become the protoliths of HP-LT metamorphic rocks.
Symptomatic digoxin toxicity in a patient on haemodialysis
Authors: Delicata Lara , Gatt Arlène , Paris Jean-Luc , Bonello John
Published: June 2020

We present a man undergoing regular haemodialysis sessions, who presented with non-specific symptoms of nausea, vomiting and light-headedness. He was found to have significantly raised serum digoxin concentrations, as well as a heart rate of 30 beats per minutes. An ECG showed complete heart block. He has a history of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy with resistant supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias and was on concomitant beta-blockade and digoxin. On questioning, he reported a gradual decline in his residual urine output over the past 6 months. He was reviewed by the cardiology team and required both pharmacological therapy for reversal of digoxin toxicity and temporary pacing in view of significant bradyarrhythmias. The beta-blockade and digoxin were discontinued. He was kept on continuous monitoring at the Cardiac Critical Care Unit. His symptoms resolved spontaneously once digoxin-specific antibody fragments were administered and temporary pacing successfully performed.
COVID-19 presenting as severe, persistent abdominal pain and causing late respiratory compromise in a 33-year-old man
Authors: Walpole Sarah Catherine , McHugh Rebecca , Samuel Julie , Schmid Matthias Ludwig
Published: June 2020

A 33-year-old man presented repeatedly with severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Renal colic was suspected, and he was admitted for pain management. Questioning elicited an additional history of sore throat and mild, dry cough. Inflammatory markers were mildly raised (C reactive protein (CRP) 40 mg/L). Initial nasopharyngeal swabs were negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) by PCR. CT of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (CT KUB) was normal; however, CT of the thorax showed multifocal bilateral peripheral areas of consolidation consistent with COVID-19 infection. He developed respiratory compromise and was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). Sputum was positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR, and culture grewYersinia enterocolitica. He recovered following supportive management and treatment with piperacillin–tazobactam.