bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Convergence des consommations entre classes socioéconomiques et contraintes non monétaires au Canada
Authors: Boelaert Julien , Gardes François , Langlois Simon
Published: May 2019

À partir d’un regroupement en classes socioéconomiques homogènes quant au niveau de vie, l’étude montre qu’entre 1969 et 2008 les structures de consommation des ménages canadiens sont très différenciées selon les classes et que la hiérarchie de ces structures reproduit celle des statuts sociaux. Cependant, les comportements moyens des classes convergent depuis le début des années 1970, mais à l’intérieur de chaque classe les comportements sont de plus en plus hétérogènes. Au fil du temps les classes socioéconomiques sont donc devenues moins pertinentes pour expliquer les différences de comportement de consommation. Pour analyser cette différenciation, nous construisons un pseudo-panel long à partir de sept enquêtes canadiennes de budgets de ménages afin d’estimer des fonctions de demande sur une longue période. La différence entre les estimations en dimensions transversale et temporelle permet de révéler les contraintes non monétaires qui influent sur les comportements de consommation des ménages, et leur évolution. Nous trouvons des évolutions différenciées de ces contraintes selon les postes de consommation, qui semblent cohérentes avec une explication en termes de coût temporel de la consommation.
Cp2Mg in-situ monitoring in a MOVPE reactor using a quantum cascade laser
Authors: Hayashi Daisuke , Sato Yoko , Minami Masakazu , Muramatsu Noboru , Iwaya Motoaki
Published: May 2019

We performed in-situ monitoring of bis-cyclopentadienyl magnesium (Cp2Mg) vapor pressure supplied into a metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy reactor. As a light source we adopted a quantum cascade laser (QCL) of 12.9 μm, which is the wavelength of Cp2Mg infrared absorption. We directly configured a laser path in the reactor to construct the Cp2Mg in-situ monitoring system. We streamed Cp2Mg and measured the vapor pressure in the reactor to evaluate it and its saturation and purge times in comparison with their calculated values which were determined from the measured values in the supply line. Next, we streamed Cp2Mg and other gas species used in gallium-nitride processes one by one to investigate their saturation times with the same QCL. Characteristic features of Cp2Mg such as the largest saturation time ratio and its large fluctuation were observed. These results indicate the importance of Cp2Mg in-situ monitoring in the reactor.
Analysis of breakdown voltage of field-plate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs as affected by buffer layer’s acceptor density
Authors: Akiyama Shinya , Kondo Masahiro , Wada Leona , Horio Kazushige
Published: May 2019

We perform a numerical analysis of field-plate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with a Fe-doped buffer layer with only a deep acceptor as a deep level and study how its density N
DA and the length of field-plate L
FP affect the breakdown voltage V
br. The calculated characteristics usually show abrupt increases in gate and drain currents due to impact ionization, resulting in breakdown. But, in some cases, V
br is limited by current flow through the buffer, and this current is higher for lower N
DA. Therefore, V
br becomes higher for higher N
DA. V
br takes a maximum value at some L
FP, and the highest average electric field between gate and drain becomes about 3.2 MV cm−1 when the breakdown occurs.
Anatomy ofRhinochelys pulchriceps(Protostegidae) and marine adaptation during the early evolution of chelonioids
Authors: Evers Serjoscha W. , Barrett Paul M. , Benson Roger B. J.
Published: May 2019

Knowledge of the early evolution of sea turtles (Chelonioidea) has been limited by conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses resulting from sparse taxon sampling and a superficial understanding of the morphology of key taxa. This limits our understanding of evolutionary adaptation to marine life in turtles, and in amniotes more broadly. One problematic group are the protostegids, Early–Late Cretaceous marine turtles that have been hypothesised to be either stem-cryptodires, stem-chelonioids, or crown-chelonioids. Different phylogenetic hypotheses for protostegids suggest different answers to key questions, including (1) the number of transitions to marine life in turtles, (2) the age of the chelonioid crown-group, and (3) patterns of skeletal evolution during marine adaptation. We present a detailed anatomical study of one of the earliest protostegids,Rhinochelys pulchricepsfrom the early Late Cretaceous of Europe, using high-resolution μCT. We synonymise all previously named European species and document the variation seen among them. A phylogeny of turtles with increased chelonioid taxon sampling and revised postcranial characters is provided, recovering protostegids as stem-chelonioids. Our results imply a mid Early Cretaceous origin of total-group chelonioids and an early Late Cretaceous age for crown-chelonioids, which may inform molecular clock analyses in future. Specialisations of the chelonioid flipper evolved in a stepwise-fashion, with innovations clustered into pulses at the origin of total-group chelonioids, and subsequently among dermochelyids, crown-cheloniids, and gigantic protostegids from the Late Cretaceous.
Impacts of the invasive shot hole borer (Euwallacea kuroshio) are linked to sewage pollution in southern California: the Enriched Tree Hypothesis
Authors: Boland John M. , Woodward Deborah L.
Published: May 2019

The Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer (KSHB, Euwallacea kuroshio) and the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (E. whitfordiodendrus; Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have recently invaded southern California and are attacking live trees in commercial agriculture groves, urban parks and native riparian forests. Among native forests the worst impacts observed to date have been in the Tijuana River Valley in south San Diego County, where approximately 30% of the native willows (Salix spp.), or 120,000 trees, have died as a result of a KSHB infestation. This paper examines wood densities, wood moisture contents, KSHB infestation rates, and KSHB-induced mortality rates in two willow species (Salix lasiolepis and S. gooddingii) at sites near and far from sewage input. Comparisons were made on two spatial scales: broadly among sites within San Diego County; and locally among sites within the Tijuana River Valley. The results showed that, on average, willow trees growing closest to sewage pollution had significantly lower wood density, higher wood moisture content, higher KSHB infestation rates, and higher KSHB-induced willow mortality rates than those growing farther away. We present the Enriched Tree Hypothesis to explain the link between sewage pollution and KSHB impacts; it is as follows: (A) Riparian trees subject to nutrient enrichment from frequent sewage pollution grow quickly, and their fast growth results in wood of low density and high moisture content. If attacked by the KSHB, the trunks and branches of these nutrient-enriched trees provide an environment conducive to the fast growth of the symbiotic fungi upon which the KSHB feeds. With an abundant food supply, the KSHB population increases rapidly and the trees are heavily damaged by thousands of KSHB galleries in their trunks and branches. (B) Riparian trees not subject to frequent sewage pollution grow more slowly and have denser, drier wood. Conditions in their trunks and branches are not conducive to the fast growth of the KSHB’s symbiotic fungi. The KSHB generally ignores, or has low abundances in, these slow-growing trees. This new hypothesis explains current patterns of KSHB impact in San Diego County and focuses attention on the important roles of the environment and preexisting conditions of trees in determining the extent of KSHB impact. It highlights the Tijuana River Valley as an unusual site due to high sewage inputs and predicts that the high KSHB-induced willow mortality seen there should not occur in other natural riparian habitats in southern California. Most importantly, by identifying sewage pollution (or nutrient enrichment) as a major risk factor for KSHB impacts, the hypothesis ratchets down the KSHB-threat level for most riparian sites in southern California and directs attention to other nutrient-enriched sites as those most at risk.
Manganese affects the growth and metabolism ofGanoderma lucidumbased on LC-MS analysis
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhou Jie , Li Qiang , Gan Bingcheng , Peng Weihong , Zhang Xiaoping , Tan Wei , Jiang Lin , Li Xiaolin
Published: May 2019

Background

As a metal-enriched edible fungus,Ganoderma lucidumis capable of adsorbing manganese effectively. And the manganese ion is demonstrated to play an important role in the synthesis of manganese peroxidase (Mnp) and other physiological activities duringG. lucidumgrowth. Recently, the influence of manganese on the metabolites ofG. lucidumfruiting bodies can be revealed through metabonomics technique.

Methods

In this study, we uncovered the changes between the control and 200 mg/kg Mn-treated fruiting bodies with liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS).

Results

The mycelial growth rate, dry yield, Mnp activity , total polysaccharide content, triterpenoid content, and total manganese content in the mature fruiting bodies ofG. lucidumchanged between the control and different Mn-treated groups. Based on LC-MS method, a total of 16 significantly different metabolites were obtained and identified, among which, five presented significantly down-regulated and 11 up-regulated in Mn-treated samples. The metabolites chavicol and palmitoylethanolamide were particularly significantly up-regulated, and were found the strong promotion relationship. Dependent on the MetPA database, four KEGG pathways were detected and glycerophospholipid metabolism was most impacted, in which, choline was involved in.

Discussion

The added manganese ion in the substrate enhanced Mnp activities, and consequently promoted the mycelial growth, yield , metabolites in the fruiting bodies including triterpenoids, total manganese, chavicol, etc. Our finding can provide a theoretical reference to regulation of manganese on the physiological metabolism ofG. lucidum.
A large scale evaluation of TBProfiler and Mykrobe for antibiotic resistance prediction in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mahé Pierre , El Azami Meriem , Barlas Philippine , Tournoud Maud
Published: May 2019

Recent years saw a growing interest in predicting antibiotic resistance from whole-genome sequencing data, with promising results obtained for Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this work, we gathered 6,574 sequencing read datasets of M. tuberculosis public genomes with associated antibiotic resistance profiles for both first and second-line antibiotics. We performed a systematic evaluation of TBProfiler and Mykrobe, two widely recognized softwares allowing to predict resistance in M. tuberculosis. The size of the dataset allowed us to obtain confident estimations of their overall predictive performance, to assess precisely the individual predictive power of the markers they rely on, and to study in addition how these softwares behave across the major M. tuberculosis lineages. While this study confirmed the overall good performance of these tools, it revealed that an important fraction of the catalog of mutations they embed is of limited predictive power. It also revealed that these tools offer different sensitivity/specificity trade-offs, which is mainly due to the different sets of mutation they embed but also to their underlying genotyping pipelines. More importantly, it showed that their level of predictive performance varies greatly across lineages for some antibiotics, therefore suggesting that the predictions made by these softwares should be deemed more or less confident depending on the lineage inferred and the predictive performance of the marker(s) actually detected. Finally, we evaluated the relevance of machine learning approaches operating from the set of markers detected by these softwares and show that they present an attractive alternative strategy, allowing to reach better performance for several drugs while significantly reducing the number of candidate mutations to consider.
A novel conserved family of Macro-like domains—putative new players in ADP-ribosylation signaling
Authors: Dudkiewicz Małgorzata , Pawłowski Krzysztof
Published: May 2019

The presence of many completely uncharacterized proteins, even in well-studied organisms such as humans, seriously hampers a full understanding of the functioning of living cells. One such example is the human protein C12ORF4, which belongs to the DUF2362 family, present in many eukaryotic lineages and conserved in metazoans. The only functional information available on C12ORF4 (Chromosome 12 Open Reading Frame 4) is its involvement in mast cell degranulation and its being a genetic cause of autosomal intellectual disability.

Bioinformatics analysis of the DUF2362 family provides strong evidence that it is a novel member of the Macro clan/superfamily. Sequence similarity analysis versus other representatives of the Macro superfamily of ADP-ribose-binding proteins and mapping sequence conservation on predicted three-dimensional structure provides hypotheses regarding the molecular function for members of the DUF2362 family. For example, the available functional data suggest a possible role for C12ORF4 in ADP-ribosylation signaling in asthma and related inflammatory diseases.

This novel family appears to be a likely novel ADP-ribosylation “reader” and “eraser,” a previously unnoticed putative new player in cell signaling by this emerging post-translational modification.
Development of an in vitro diagnostic method to determine the genotypic sex ofXenopus laevis
Authors: Eimanifar Amin , Aufderheide John , Schneider Suzanne Z. , Krueger Henry , Gallagher Sean
Published: May 2019

A genotypic sex determination assay provides accurate gender information of individuals with well-developed phenotypic characters as well as those with poorly developed or absent of phenotypic characters. Determination of genetic sex forXenopus laeviscan be used to validate the outcomes of Tier 2 amphibian assays, and is a requirement for conducting the larval amphibian growth and development assay (LAGDA), in the endocrine disruptor screening program (EDSP), test guidelines. The assay we developed uses a dual-labeledTaqMan probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) method to determine the genotypic sex. The reliability of the assay was tested on 37 adult specimens ofX. laeviscollected from in-house cultures in Eurofins EAG Agroscience, Easton. The newly designedX. laevis-specific primer pair and probe targets the DM domain gene linked-chromosome W as a master female-determining gene. Accuracy of the molecular method was assessed by comparing with phenotypic sex, determined by necropsy and histological examination of gonads for all examined specimens. Genotypic sex assignments were strongly concordant with observed phenotypic sex, confirming that the 19 specimens were male and 18 were female. The results indicate that theTaqMan® assay could be practically used to determine the genetic sex of animals with poorly developed or no phenotypic sex characteristics with 100% precision. Therefore, theTaqMan® assay is confirmed as an efficient and feasible method, providing a diagnostic molecular sex determination approach to be used in the amphibian endocrine disrupting screening programs conducted by regulatory industries. The strength of an EDSP is dependent on a reliable method to determine genetic sex in order to identify reversals of phenotypic sex in animals exposed to endocrine active compounds.
Human Contamination and Schistosome Infection Intensity in Bulinid and Planorbid Snail Vectors in Kadawa Irrigation Area, Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Ali M. U. , Umar U. A. , Yahaya A. , Lawal M. , Danhassan M. S.
Published: May 2019

Objectives of the Study: An Epidemiological Research, a cross-sectional study, was conducted to determine the magnitude of human contamination of irrigation canal perimeter as it relates to the prevalence and intensity of schistosome cercarial infection in snail vectors.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted along water canal located within an irrigation area, Kano River Project Phase I, Kadawa, between January and June, 2012.

Methodology: The study area was categorized into Zone of Heavy Contamination (ZHC), Zone of Light Contamination (ZLC) and Zone of Free Contamination (ZFC) based on the density of faecal lumps observed along the canal perimeter using 1 m2 quadrat sampling technique. Snail vectors of schistosomiasis were collected from these zones, identified and subjected to cercarial shedding. Brevifurcate apharyngeate cercariae were identified as schistosome cercariae.

Results: Of the 827 snails collected 28.54% shed schistosome cercariae. The breakdown of infection prevalence was 31.37%, 27.69% and 26.26% for ZHC, ZLC and ZFC respectively. Three snail species recovered in the study area, Bulinus globosus, B. rohlfsi and Biomphalaria pfeifferi had infection intensity of 8.6, 5.67 and 3.94 respectively, with total mean intensity of 4.67. A Chi-squared analysis did not show any significant difference in infection prevalence in the three zones (χ2cal. 0.025, χ22, 0.05 = 5.99). However, infection intensity was significantly different in the three zones and among the three snail species using analysis of variance (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Human environmental contamination with faeces and urine around irrigation canals remains the source of infection to snail hosts and then to humans. It is presumed that contact control through avoidance of defaecation in the open and building of pit latrines near water contact points along irrigation canals will be effective means of drawing a barrier to infection with schistosomes in the study area.
Deuterated active pharmaceutical ingredients: A science‐based proposal for synthesis, analysis, and control. Part 1: Framing the problem
Authors: Czeskis Boris , Elmore Charles S. , Haight Anthony , Hesk David , Maxwell Brad D. , Miller Scott A. , Raglione Thomas , Schildknegt Klaas , Traverse John F. , Wang Peng
Published: May 2019

The International Consortium for Innovation & Quality (IQ) in Pharmaceutical Development recently established a working group focused on the development of a guidance to address Deuterated Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Deuteration of an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) in some cases can retard and/or alter API metabolism by exploiting the primary kinetic isotope effect. Several deuterated APIs have entered into the clinic, and one has recently been approved. In most cases, it is very difficult to nearly impossible to synthesize a 100% isotopically pure compound. This raises synthetic, analytical, and regulatory questions that warrant a science‐based assessment and recommendations for synthetic methods, analytical methods, and specifications. A cross functional team of scientists with expertise in isotope chemistry, process chemistry, analytical chemistry, and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics have been meeting under the auspices of IQ to define and address these questions. This paper strives to frame chemistry, manufacturing, and controls challenges.
Positive emotions, learning behavior and teacher support in self‐directed learning during adolescence: Do age and gender matter?
Authors: Schweder Sabine , Raufelder Diana
Published: April 2019

Introduction

It has already been shown that positive emotions can positively influence learning behavior. However, what is less known is whether teacher support mediates this relationship in adolescents of varying ages and genders in self‐directed learning (SDL) at school.

Methods

Data gathered with questionnaires given to 754 German students (Mage = 13.56; SD = 1.2; 49,4% female students) at two measurement times is used as the empirical basis of this study. To control for possible gender and age‐based differences in the interplay and extent of the variables, a multigroup structural equation model and latent mean comparison (LMC) were carried out, whereby four groups [female 6th/7th graders, male 6th/7th graders (earlier adolescence), female 8th/9th graders, male 8th/9th graders (middle adolescence)] were examined.

Results

Across from the female 8th/9th graders as the reference group, the LMC showed that all other groups have significantly higher mean values for positive emotions. In addition, female 6th/7th graders report a significantly higher level of volition. Teacher support partly mediates all relations. Group differences in the interplay of the variables were excluded.

Conclusion

The results of the study highlight the importance of teacher support when SDL is carried out in school. Thus, teacher support reduces the effects between positive emotions and learning behavior. This means that in self‐directed learning, even those students who develop weaker positive emotions are supported.
Bach à Berlin en 1829: une « redécouverte »?
Authors: Veit Patrice
Published: May 2019

En 1829 à Berlin est rejouée une œuvre qui n’avait plus été entendue depuis la mort de son auteur: laPassion selon saint Matthieude Johann Sebastian Bach. Cette audition acquiert une dimension historique, considérée dès cette époque comme l’acte de naissance de la « redécouverte » de Bach et de sa musique, et fait entrer du même coup la capitale prussienne dans l’histoire de la musique occidentale. À partir d’une démarche d’histoire urbaine et culturelle, cet article se propose d’étudier cet événement en reconstruisant notamment les sociabilités musicales berlinoises, en interrogeant le caractère de la référence à Bach au début du XIXesiècle, en examinant les conditions de l’œuvre et de son exécution ainsi que son interprétation cent ans environ après sa première représentation.
Psychological and biological mechanisms of cytokine induced depression
Authors: Hepgul Nilay , Mondelli Valeria , Pariante Carmine M.
Published: April 2019

Depression is frequently seen in patients with medical illnesses yet the link between medical illnesses and depression remains unclear. There is increasing data to suggest that the array of depressive symptoms experienced by the medically-ill may involve inflammation. The activation of the immune system and the subsequent release of innate immune products such as cytokines can have important effects on behaviour. The treatment of choice for chronic viral hepatitis C, interferon-alpha IFN-α, acutely induces the production and release of other innate immune cytokines, and has been indicated to cause clinically significant depression in 30% of patients receiving treatment. This in turn can impair quality of life and affect treatment compliance. We and others use IFN-α induced depression as a model to identify alterations in psychological and biological pathways that predispose to depression in the medically-ill, and thus provide an explanatory link between inflammation and the subsequent behavioural changes. In this editorial, we aim to describe the main biological pathways involved in IFN-induced depression and to discuss psychological, clinical and biological factors that have been found to predict those who will develop more severe psychiatric symptoms during treatment with IFN-α. Among these, particular attention would be given to psychological traits, genetic polymorphisms regulating inflammation and serotonergic function, and changes in plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
A predictive model to allocate frequent service users of community-based Mental Health Services to different packages of care
Authors: Grigoletti Laura , Amaddeo Francesco , Grassi Aldrigo , Boldrini Massimo , Chiappelli Marco , Percudani Mauro , Catapano Francesco , Fiorillo Andrea , Perris Francesco , Bacigalupi Maurizio , Albanese Paolo , Simonetti Simona , Agostini Paola De , Tansella Michele ,   The I-Psycost Group
Published: April 2019

Aim– To develop predictive models to allocate patients into frequent and low service users groups within the Italian Community-based Mental Health Services (CMHSs). To allocate frequent users to different packages of care, identifing the costs of these packages.Methods– Socio-demographic and clinical data and GAF scores at baseline were collected for 1250 users attending five CMHSs. All psychiatric contacts made by these patients during six months were recorded. A logistic regression identified frequent service users predictive variables. Multinomial logistic regression identified variables able to predict the most appropriate package of care. A cost function was utilised to estimate costs.Results– Frequent service users were 49%, using nearly 90% of all contacts. The model classified correctly 80% of users in the frequent and low users groups. Three packages of care were identified: Basic Community Treatment (4,133 Euro per six months); Intensive Community Treatment (6,180 Euro) and Rehabilitative Community Treatment (11,984 Euro) for 83%, 6% and 11% of frequent service users respectively. The model was found to be accurate for 85% of users.Conclusion– It is possible to develop predictive models to identify frequent service users and to assign them to pre-defined packages of care, and to use these models to inform the funding of psychiatric care.
The methodological and conceptual aspects of mortality studies in psychiatry
Authors: Biggeri Annibale , Catelan Dolores
Published: April 2019

An extensive literature documented a mortality differential for natural causes between psychiatric patients and the general population. Less clear is the pattern for cancer diseases. Methodological problems arise when trying to explain such mortality gap: selection bias and reverse causation; time-dependent confounders that are also intermediate variables; complex relationships within a life course have to be considered. We try to explain such problems in terms of causal graphs. Excess risk for causes of death which are not attributable to higher prevalence of risk factors or treatment side-effects and higher mortality rates for avoidable causes have been also documented. These findings underline the need for research on health promotion and preventive programs targeted to psychiatric patients.
Orbitofrontal cortex abnormalities in schizophrenia
Authors: Bellani Marcella , Cerruti Stefania , Brambilla Paolo
Published: April 2019

The magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating the volumes of the orbitofrontal cortex in patients suffering from schizophrenia are here presented, trying to elucidate its role for the pathophysiology and for the cognition of the disease.
The Role of Regulatory Impact Assessment in Fighting Climate Change and the Economic Downturn: A EU-US Perspective
Authors: Torriti Jacopo , Lofstedt Ragnar
Published: April 2019

In times of low economic growth and post-Copenhagen climate talks, a number of reasons for regulatory competition and cooperation between the United States and the European Union coexist. This paper discusses the role of Impact Assessment between the US and the EU on responses to the economic downturn and climate change. It is argued that, in the future, IAs will be an instrument through which it will be possible to read the level of cooperation and competition between the US and the EU, particularly on economic trade and environmental regulation.
The aqueous chemistry of tellurium: critically-selected equilibrium constants for the low-molecular-weight inorganic species
Authors: Filella Montserrat , May Peter M.
Published: April 2019

Environmental contextEquilibrium constants are required in many scientific disciplines such as biology, medicine, engineering, and in particular chemistry. Lack of reliable equilibrium constants for tellurium has restricted our understanding of its speciation and behaviour in the environment. This study presents a reliable set of equilibrium constants for tellurium, thereby providing a more coherent basis for future experimental investigations of the geochemistry, biochemistry and toxicology of this element. AbstractRelatively little information is available in the literature regarding the speciation and solubility of tellurium in aqueous solutions. The available thermodynamic data have been critically evaluated and entered into a thermodynamic database. The Joint Expert Speciation System suite of computer programs has been used to achieve thermodynamic consistency and provide a critically-selected set of equilibrium constants that can later be used for modelling purposes.
Root renovation: how an improved understanding of basic root biology could inform the development of elite crops that foster sustainable soil health
Authors: Wong Johanna W.-H. , Plett Jonathan M.
Published: April 2019

A major goal in agricultural research is to develop ‘elite’ crops with stronger, resilient root systems. Within this context, breeding practices have focussed on developing plant varieties that are, primarily, able to withstand pathogen attack and, secondarily, able to maximise plant productivity. Although great strides towards breeding disease-tolerant or -resistant root stocks have been made, this has come at a cost. Emerging studies in certain crop species suggest that domestication of crops, together with soil management practices aimed at improving plant yield, may hinder beneficial soil microbial association or reduce microbial diversity in soil. To achieve more sustainable management of agricultural lands, we must not only shift our soil management practices but also our breeding strategy to include contributions from beneficial microbes. For this latter point, we need to advance our understanding of how plants communicate with, and are able to differentiate between, microbes of different lifestyles. Here, we present a review of the key findings on belowground plant–microbial interactions that have been made over the past decade, with a specific focus on how plants and microbes communicate. We also discuss the currently unresolved questions in this area, and propose plausible ways to use currently available research and integrate fast-emerging ‘-omics’ technologies to tackle these questions. Combining past and developing research will enable the development of new crop varieties that will have new, value-added phenotypes belowground.
Computational inference of the transcriptional regulatory network of Candida glabrata
Authors: Xu Nan , Liu Liming
Published: April 2019

Candida glabrata is a major cause of candidiasis and the second most frequent opportunistic yeast pathogen. Its infectious and antifungal mechanisms are globally regulated by the transcription systems of pathogenic fungi. In this study, we reconstructed the genome-scale transcriptional regulatory network (TRN) of C. glabrata, consisting of 6634 interactive relationships between 145 transcription factors and 3230 target genes, based on genomic and transcriptomic data. The C. glabrata TRN was found to have a typical topological structure and significant network cohesiveness. Moreover, this network could be functionally divided into several sub-networks, including networks involving carbon, nitrogen, growth-associated metabolic profiles, stress response to acidity, hyperosmosis, peroxidation, hypoxia and virulence. Furthermore, by integrating the genome-scale metabolic model of C. glabrata, six essential metabolites and eight related enzymes were systematically selected as drug targets. Overall, elucidation of the genome-scale TRN of C. glabrata has expanded our knowledge of the contents and structures of microbial regulatory networks and improved our understanding of the regulatory behaviors of growth, metabolism and gene expression programs in response to environmental stimuli.
Africa’s Energy Renewal: The Twin Challenges of Energy Deficit and Climate Change
Authors: Sy Amadou N R , Simbanegavi Witness , Ndung’u Njuguna
Published: April 2019

A significantly large energy deficit and high vulnerability to climate change seriously impede sub-Saharan Africa’s path towards sustainable and inclusive growth. The extent to which the region can leverage the opportunities offered by renewable energy is an important policy question with implications for economic research. This special issue argues that policy and institutional reforms as well as good governance will play an important role in opening up the energy sector to private investment and expanding the fiscal space. Such a constellation, by increasing investment in the energy sector, would allow for increased access to reliable and affordable electricity by both households and businesses, which should help unleash Africa’s potential. Several future areas of research are also identified.
Sperm-borne small RNAs regulate α-tubulin acetylation and epigenetic modification of early bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos
Authors: Qu Pengxiang , Zuo Zhenzi , Liu Zhengqing , Niu Zhihan , Zhang Ying , Du Yue , Ma Xiaonan , Qiao Fang , Wang Mengyun , Zhang Yong , Qing Suzhu , Wang Yongsheng
Published: April 2019

Accumulated evidence indicates that sperm-borne small RNA plays a crucial role in embryonic development, especially the absence of the sperm-borne small RNA might be a major cause of the abnormal development of cloned embryos. In this study, we found that sperm-borne small RNA can affect abnormal pronuclear-like structures, postpone the timing of first embryo cleavage and enhance developmental competence of bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. In addition, the supplementation of sperm-borne small RNA can significantly increase live birth rates and decrease the birth weights of cloned offspring. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, the levels of α-tubulin K40 acetylation (Ac α-tubulin K40) and histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) during early embryo development were investigated in SCNT embryos with sperm-borne small RNA supplementation (termed as T-NT), compared to those normal SCNT embryos and embryos obtained from standard IVF. The results showed that sperm-borne small RNA can significantly decrease the H3K9me3 levels at the pronuclear and two-cell stages, while significantly increase Ac α-tubulin K40 levels at anaphase and telophase of bovine SCNT embryos during the first cleavage. Collectively, our study for the first time demonstrates that sperm-borne small RNA plays a crucial role in the developmental competence of SCNT embryos by regulating H3K9me3 and Ac α-tubulin K40. Further studies will be required to determine how sperm small RNA regulate the H3K9me3 and Acα-tubulin K40. Our study suggests that the supplementation of sperm-borne small RNA is a potential application to improve the cloning efficiency.
5-Aminolevulinic Acid Fluorescence-Guided Resection of 18F-FET-PET Positive Tumor Beyond Gadolinium Enhancing Tumor Improves Survival in Glioblastoma
Authors: Müther Michael , Koch Raphael , Weckesser Matthias , Sporns Peter , Schwindt Wolfram , Stummer Walter
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

The value of early postoperative18F-FET-PET in patients with glioblastoma (GBM) is unclear. Five-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is used for fluorescence-guided resections in these patients and previous data suggest that fluorescence and18F-FET-PET both demarcate larger tumor volumes than gadolinium enhanced magnet resonance imaging (MRI).

OBJECTIVE

To correlate fluorescence with enhancing volumes on postoperative MRI and18F-FET-PET tumor volumes, and determine the value of postoperative18F-FET-PET for predicting survival through observational study.

METHODS

GBM patients underwent fluorescence-guided resection after administration of 5-ALA followed by early postoperative MRI and18F-FET-PET for determination of residual tissue volumes. All patients were treated with standard temozolomide radiochemotherapy and monitored for progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS).

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients were included. For functional reasons, residual 5-ALA derived fluorescent tissue was left unresected in 18 patients with a median18F-FET-PET volume of 17.82 cm3(interquartile range 6.50-29.19). In patients without residual fluorescence, median18F-FET-PET volume was 1.20 cm3(interquartile range 0.87-5.50) and complete resection of gadolinium enhancing tumor was observed in 100% of patients. A18F-FET-PET volume of above 4.3 cm3was associated with worse OS (logrankP-value ≤ .05), also in patients with no residual contrast enhancing tumor on MRI. More patients in whom fluorescencing tissue had been removed completely had postoperative18F-FET-PET tumor volumes below 4.3 cm3.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative18F-FET-PET volumes predict OS and PFS. Resection of 5-ALA derived fluorescence beyond gadolinium enhancing tumor tissue leads to lower postoperative18F-FET-PET tumor volumes and improved OS and PFS without additional deficits.
Behavioral syndromes shape evolutionary trajectories via conserved genetic architecture
Authors: Royauté Raphael , Hedrick Ann , Dochtermann Ned A.
Published: April 2019

Behaviors are often correlated within broader syndromes, creating the potential for evolution in one behavior to drive evolutionary changes in other behaviors. Despite demonstrations that behavioral syndromes are common across taxa, whether this potential for evolutionary effects is realized has not yet been demonstrated. Here we show that populations of field crickets (Gryllus integer) exhibit a genetically conserved behavioral syndrome structure despite differences in average behaviors. We found that the distribution of genetic variation and genetic covariance among behavioral traits was consistent with genes and cellular mechanisms underpinning behavioral syndromes rather than correlated selection. Moreover, divergence among populations’ average behaviors was constrained by the genetically conserved behavioral syndrome. Our results demonstrate that a conserved genetic architecture linking behaviors has shaped the evolutionary trajectories of populations in disparate environments—illustrating an important way by which behavioral syndromes result in shared evolutionary fates.
Tuning intercellular cohesion with membrane-anchored oligonucleotides
Authors: Hoffecker Ian T. , Arima Yusuke , Iwata Hiroo
Published: April 2019

Cohesive interactions between cells play an integral role in development, differentiation, and regeneration. Existing methods for controlling cell-cell cohesion by manipulating protein expression are constrained by biological interdependencies, e.g. coupling of cadherins to actomyosin force-feedback mechanisms. We use oligonucleotides conjugated to PEGylated lipid anchors (ssDNAPEGDPPE) to introduce artificial cell-cell cohesion that is largely decoupled from the internal cytoskeleton. We describe cell-cell doublets with a mechanical model based on isotropic, elastic deformation of spheres to estimate the cohesion at the cell-cell interface. Physical manipulation of cohesion by modulating PEG-lipid to ssDNAPEGDPPE ratio, and conversely treatment with actin-depolymerizing cytochalsin-D, resulted respectively in decreases and increases in doublet contact area. Our data are relevant to the ongoing discussion over mechanisms of tissue surface tension and in agreement with models based on opposing cortical and cohesive forces. PEG-lipid modulation of doublet geometries resulted in a well-defined curve indicating continuity, enabling prescriptive calibration for controlling doublet geometry. Our study demonstrates tuning of basic doublet cohesion, laying the foundation for more complex multicellular cohesion control independent of protein expression.
De novo variants in population constrained fetal brain enhancers and intellectual disability
Authors: De Vas Matias G , Garstang Myles G , Joshi Shweta S , Khan Tahir N , Atla Goutham , Parry David , Moore David , Cebola Ines , Zhang Shuchen , Cui Wei , Lampe Anne K , Lam Wayne W , FitzPatrick David R , Ferrer Jorge , Pradeepa Madapura M , Atanur Santosh S
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The genetic aetiology of a major fraction of patients with intellectual disability (ID) remains unknown. De novo mutations (DNMs) in protein-coding genes explain up to 40% of cases, but the potential role of regulatory DNMs is still poorly understood.

Methods

We sequenced 70 whole genomes from 24 ID probands and their unaffected parents and analyzed 30 previously sequenced genomes from exome-negative ID probands.

Results

We found that DNVs were selectively enriched in fetal brain-specific enhancers that show purifying selection in human population. DNV containing enhancers were associated with genes that show preferential expression in the pre-frontal cortex, have been previously implicated in ID or related disorders, and exhibit intolerance to loss of function variants. DNVs from ID probands preferentially disrupted putative binding sites of neuronal transcription factors, as compared to DNVs from healthy individuals and most showed allele-specific enhancer activity. In addition, we identified recurrently mutated enhancer clusters that regulate genes involved in nervous system development (CSMD1, OLFM1 and POU3F3). Moreover, CRISPR-based perturbation of a DNV-containing enhancer caused CSMD1 overexpression and abnormal expression of neurodevelopmental regulators.

Conclusion

Our results, therefore, provide new evidence to indicate that DNVs in constrained fetal brain-specific enhancers play a role in the etiology of ID.
Discovery of key regulators of dark gland development and hypericin biosynthesis in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Authors: Rizzo Paride , Altschmied Lothar , Stark Pauline , Rutten Twan , Gündel André , Scharfenberg Sarah , Franke Katrin , Bäumlein Helmut , Wessjohann Ludger , Koch Marcus , Borisjuk Ljudmilla , Sharbel Timothy F.
Published: May 2019

Hypericin is a molecule of high pharmaceutical importance that is synthesized and stored in dark glands (DGs) of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Understanding which genes are involved in dark gland development and hypericin biosynthesis is important for the development of new Hypericum extracts that are highly demanded for medical applications. We identified two transcription factors whose expression is strictly synchronized with the differentiation of DGs. We correlated the content of hypericin, pseudohypericin, endocrocin, skyrin glycosides and several flavonoids with gene expression and DG development to obtain a revised model for hypericin biosynthesis. Here, we report for the first time genotypes which are polymorphic for the presence/total absence (G+/G−) of DGs in their placental tissues (PTs). DG development was characterized in PTs using several microscopy techniques. Fourier transform infrared microscopy was established as a novel method to precisely locate polyaromatic compounds, such as hypericin, in plant tissues. In addition, we obtained transcriptome and metabolome profiles of unprecedented resolution in Hypericum. This study addresses for the first time the development of dark glands and identifies genes that constitute strong building blocks for the further elucidation of hypericin synthesis, its manipulation in plants, its engineering in microbial systems and its applications in medical research.
The life of a medical representative—a little food for thought
Authors: Anderson Katherine
Published: April 2019

Katherine Anderson's
time as a pharmaceutical rep was a real eye opener
Stability analysis of an interacting holographic dark energy model
Authors: Mishra Sudip , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: April 2019

This work deals with dynamical system analysis of Holographic Dark Energy (HDE) cosmological model with different infra-red (IR)-cutoff. By suitable transformation of variables, the Einstein field equations are converted to an autonomous system. The critical points are determined and the stability of the equilibrium points are examined by Center Manifold Theory and Lyapunov function method. Possible bifurcation scenarios have also been explained.
pT spectra of charged hadrons in proton–proton collisions at s = 200 GeV
Authors: Ajaz M. , Maryam
Published: April 2019

The transverse momentum spectra of [Formula: see text] mesons, protons and antiprotons produced in proton–proton collisions at 200 GeV with hadron production models are reported. Two tunes of EPOS (EPOS1.99 and EPOS-LHC), three tunes of QGSJET (QGSJETI, QGSJETII-03, QGSJETII-04), DPMJET and HIJING models are used to obtain the spectra. The results are compared with the measurements of STAR collaboration obtained at mid-rapidity of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] range of [Formula: see text]. All models reproduce the ratios [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at low [Formula: see text] but could not predict well at high [Formula: see text]. In addition, EPOS tunes and QGSJET tunes predict well the spectra of [Formula: see text] meson and the ratios [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at low [Formula: see text]. The HIJING and the QGSJET (tune I only) could reproduce all the spectra and all the ratios at a satisfactory level of precision and were found good among the models considered in the current study at RHIC energy.
Incarcerated Lumbar Hernia Complicated by Retroperitoneal Pseudoaneurysm 50 Years after Resection and Radiation Therapy of a Sarcoma
Authors: Onafowokan Oluwatobi , Bandyopadhyay Dabanjan , Johnson Dale , Bonatti Hugo J. R.
Published: April 2019

Background. Lumbar hernias are rare abdominal hernias. Surgery is the only treatment option but remains challenging. Posterior incisional hernias are even rarer especially with incarceration of intra-abdominal contents.Case Presentation. A 68-year old female presented with a 3-day history of worsening acute abdominal pain and distension, with multiple episodes of emesis. A CT scan indicated a large incarcerated posterolateral abdominal hernia. The patient had a history of resection of a sarcoma on her back as a child and also received chemotherapy and radiation. During emergency laparoscopy, a hemorrhagic small bowel segment incarcerated in the hernia was reduced and resected, and the distended small bowel was decompressed. An elective hernia repair was scheduled. After temporary clinical improvement, the patient again developed abdominal pain, distention, and emesis. During emergency laparotomy, a large hematoma in the right flank was found and partially evacuated. The right colon was mobilized out of the hernia and the duodenum was kocherized. A20×20cm BIO-A mesh was placed on top of the Gerota fascia and cranially tucked under liver segment VI. Anteriorly, the mesh was fixated with absorbable tacks. The duodenum and colon were placed into the mesh pocket. A postoperative CT scan identified a 2 cm pseudoaneurysm of a side branch of a lumbar artery, and the bleeding source was embolized. The postoperative course was complicated byClostridium difficile-associated colitis, but ultimately, the patient recovered fully. At 6-month follow-up, there was no evidence for a recurrent hernia.Discussion. There is a paucity of literature concerning lumbar incisional hernias. Repair with bioabsorbable mesh seems feasible, but longer follow-up is necessary as the mesh was placed in an unusual fashion due to the retroperitoneal hematoma. The exact cause of the hemorrhage is unclear and may have been caused during the initial incarceration, during surgery, or may be a late complication of her previous radiation.