bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capturing the Scale Dependency of Erosion-Induced Variation in CO2 Emissions on Terraced Slopes
Authors: Hu Yaxian , Schneider Vincent , Kuhn Brigitte , Guo Shengli , Kuhn Nikolaus J.
Published: June 2021

Net soil CO2 emissions are not independent of topography but tend to decline with increasing slope gradients. Such decline has been attributed to increased runoff and greater soil loss on steep slopes, leaving the soil less habitable for microorganisms. However, the specific variations of slope gradients and thus the associated soil properties relevant for CO2 emissions, especially from terraced slopes, are often disguised by the coarse resolution of digital terrain models (DTMs) based on commonly available open-source data. Such misrepresentation of the relationship between topography and soil CO2 emissions carries the risk of a wrong assessment of soil-atmosphere interaction. By applying a slope dependent soil CO2 emission model developed from erosion plots to nearby sloping and partially terraced cropland using two DTMs of different spatial resolutions, this study tested the significance of these resolution-induced errors on CO2 emission estimates. The results show that the coarser-resolution Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) underestimated CO2-C emission by 27% compared to the higher-resolution DTM derived from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) imagery. Such difference can be mostly attributed to a better representation of the proportion of flat slopes in the high-resolution DTM. Although the observations from erosion plots cannot be directly extrapolated to a larger scale, the 27% underestimation using the coarser-resolution SRTM DTM emphasizes that it is essential to represent microreliefs and their impact on runoff and erosion-induced soil heterogeneity at an appropriate scale. The widespread impact of topography on erosion and deposition on cropland, and the associated slope-dependent heterogeneity of soil properties, may lead to even greater differences than those observed in this study. The greatly improved estimation on CO2 emissions by the UAV-derived DTM also demonstrates that UAVs have a great potential to fill the gap between conventional field investigations and commonly applied coarse-resolution remote sensing when assessing the impact of soil erosion on global soil-atmosphere interaction.
COVID-19 Severity in Obesity: Leptin and Inflammatory Cytokine Interplay in the Link Between High Morbidity and Mortality
Authors: Maurya Radheshyam , Sebastian Prince , Namdeo Madhulika , Devender Moodu , Gertler Arieh
Published: June 2021

Obesity is one of the foremost risk factors in coronavirus infection resulting in severe illness and mortality as the pandemic progresses. Obesity is a well-known predisposed chronic inflammatory condition. The dynamics of obesity and its impacts on immunity may change the disease severity of pneumonia, especially in acute respiratory distress syndrome, a primary cause of death from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The adipocytes of adipose tissue secret leptin in proportion to individuals’ body fat mass. An increase in circulating plasma leptin is a typical characteristic of obesity and correlates with a leptin-resistant state. Leptin is considered a pleiotropic molecule regulating appetite and immunity. In immunity, leptin functions as a cytokine and coordinates the host’s innate and adaptive responses by promoting the Th1 type of immune response. Leptin induced the proliferation and functions of antigen-presenting cells, monocytes, and T helper cells, subsequently influencing the pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by these cells, such as TNF-α, IL-2, or IL-6. Leptin scarcity or resistance is linked with dysregulation of cytokine secretion leading to autoimmune disorders, inflammatory responses, and increased susceptibility towards infectious diseases. Therefore, leptin activity by leptin long-lasting super active antagonist’s dysregulation in patients with obesity might contribute to high mortality rates in these patients during SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review systematically discusses the interplay mechanism between leptin and inflammatory cytokines and their contribution to the fatal outcomes in COVID-19 patients with obesity.
A Comparison of Ex Vivo Expanded Human Regulatory T Cells Using Allogeneic Stimulated B Cells or Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Authors: Lee Linda M. , Zhang Hong , Lee Karim , Liang Horace , Merleev Alexander , Vincenti Flavio , Maverakis Emanual , Thomson Angus W. , Tang Qizhi
Published: June 2021

Alloreactive regulatory T cells (arTregs) are more potent than polyclonal Tregs at suppressing immune responses to transplant antigens. Human arTregs can be expanded with allogeneic CD40L-stimulated B cells (sBcs) or stimulated-matured monocyte-derived dendritic cells (sDCs). Here, we compared the expansion efficiency and properties of arTregs stimulated ex vivo using these two types of antigen-presenting cells. Compared to sBcs, sDCs stimulated Tregs to expand two times more in number. The superior expansion-inducing capacity of sDCs correlated with their higher expression of CD80, CD86, and T cell-attracting chemokines. sBc- and sDC-arTregs expressed comparable levels of FOXP3, HELIOS, CD25, CD27, and CD62L, demethylated FOXP3 enhancer and in vitro suppressive function. sBc- and sDCs-arTregs had similar gene expression profiles that were distinct from primary Tregs. sBc- and sDC-arTregs exhibited similar low frequencies of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17A-producing cells, and the cytokine-producing arTregs expressed high levels of FOXP3. Almost all sBc- and sDC-arTregs expressed CXCR3, which may enable them traffic to inflammatory sites. Thus, sDCs-arTregs that expand more readily, are phenotypically similar to sBc-arTregs, supporting sDCs as a viable alternative for arTreg production for clinical evaluation.
Synergistic Effects of Lauric Arginate and Peracetic Acid in Reducing Listeria monocytogenes on Fresh Apples
Authors: Shen Xiaoye , Cong Jian , Mugendi Joshua , Hanrahan Ines , Zhu Mei-Jun
Published: June 2021

Apples are naturally coated with a water-repelling hydrophobic wax layer, which may limit the antimicrobial efficacies of surface sanitizer solutions. Lauric arginate (LAE) is a cationic surfactant with antimicrobial efficacy against Listeria monocytogenes. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial and the wettability effects of LAE in enhancing anti-L. monocytogenes efficacy of peracetic acid (PAA) and further verified the optimized treatment combinations in a pilot spray-bar brush bed system. Apples after 48 h of inoculation were treated with PAA surface sanitation in combination with different concentrations of LAE at 22 or 46°C. The effectiveness of PAA with LAE solutions in decontaminating L. monocytogenes significantly increased with the increased concentration of PAA (60–80 ppm) or LAE (0.01–0.05%) or the treatment temperature (from 22 to 46°C). A 30–120-sec wash by 80 ppm PAA with 0.01 and 0.05% LAE at 22°C reduced L. monocytogenes on apples by 2.10–2.25 and 2.48–2.58 log10 CFU/apple, respectively. Including LAE in the PAA solution decreased contact angles on apple surfaces. However, the increased wettability of the sanitizer solution may not be the main contributor to the enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of the PAA solution, given that the addition of Tween 80 or Tween 85 only slightly boosted the anti-L. monocytogenes efficacy of PAA solutions though both increased the wettability of the PAA solutions. The synergistic effects of PAA and LAE were further validated in a pilot spray-bar brush bed packing system, where a 30-sec spray wash with 80 ppm PAA and 0.05% LAE at 22 and 46°C caused 1.68 and 2.08 log reduction of Listeria on fresh apples, respectively. This study provides an improved PAA process/preventive strategy for ensuring microbial food safety of fresh apples that is applicable to commercial apple packing lines.
The Murine Reg3a Stimulated by Lactobacillus casei Promotes Intestinal Cell Proliferation and Inhibits the Multiplication of Porcine Diarrhea Causative Agent in vitro
Authors: Bai Yongfei , Huang Yanmei , Li Ying , Zhang Bingbing , Xiao Cuihong , Hou Xilin , Yu Liyun
Published: June 2021

Lactobacillus casei (L. casei), a normal resident of the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, has been extensively studied over the past few decades for its probiotic properties in clinical and animal models. Some studies have shown that some bacterium of Lactobacillus stimulate the production of antimicrobial peptides in intestinal cells to clear enteric pathogens, however, which antimicrobial peptides are produced by L. casei stimulation and its function are still not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the changes of antimicrobial peptides’ expression after intragastric administration of L. casei to mice. The bioinformatics analysis revealed there were nine genes strongly associated with up-regulated DEGs. But, of these, only the antimicrobial peptide mReg3a gene was continuously up-regulated, which was also confirmed by qRT-PCR. We found out the mReg3a expressed in engineering E.coli promoted cell proliferation and wound healing proved by CCK-8 assay and wound healing assay. Moreover, the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and E-cadherin in mReg3a treatment group were significantly higher than that in the control group under the final concentration of 0.2 mg/ml both in Porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) and Mouse intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) (p < 0.05). Surprisingly, the recombinant mReg3a not only inhibited Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), but also reduced the copy number of the piglet diarrheal viruses, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), and porcine rotavirus (PoRV), indicating the antimicrobial peptides mReg3a may be feed additives to resist the potential of the intestinal bacterial and viral diarrhea disease.
Heat Adaptation Induced Cross Protection Against Ethanol Stress in Tetragenococcus halophilus: Physiological Characteristics and Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Yang Huan , Yao Shangjie , Zhang Min , Wu Chongde
Published: June 2021

Ethanol is a toxic factor that damages membranes, disturbs metabolism, and may kill the cell. Tetragenococcus halophilus, considered as the cell factory during the manufacture of traditional fermented foods, encounters ethanol stress, which may affect the viability and fermentative performance of cells. In order to improve the ethanol tolerance of T. halophilus, a strategy based on cross protection was proposed in the current study. The results indicated that cross protection induced by heat preadaptation (45°C for 1.5 h) could significantly improve the stress tolerance (7.24-fold increase in survival) of T. halophilus upon exposure to ethanol (10% for 2.5 h). Based on this result, a combined analysis of physiological approaches and TMT-labeled proteomic technology was employed to investigate the protective mechanism of cross protection in T. halophilus. Physiological analysis showed that the heat preadapted cells exhibited a better surface phenotype, higher membrane integrity, and higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids compared to unadapted cells. Proteomic analysis showed that a total of 163 proteins were differentially expressed in response to heat preadaptation. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that energy metabolism, membrane transport, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and genetic information processing were the most abundant metabolic pathways after heat preadaptation. Three proteins (GpmA, AtpB, and TpiA) involved in energy metabolism and four proteins (ManM, OpuC, YidC, and HPr) related to membrane transport were up-regulated after heat preadaptation. In all, the results of this study may help understand the protective mechanisms of preadaptation and contribute to the improvement of the stress resistance of T. halophilus during industrial processes.
3D Segmentation of Perivascular Spaces on T1-Weighted 3 Tesla MR Images With a Convolutional Autoencoder and a U-Shaped Neural Network
Authors: Boutinaud Philippe , Tsuchida Ami , Laurent Alexandre , Adonias Filipa , Hanifehlou Zahra , Nozais Victor , Verrecchia Violaine , Lampe Leonie , Zhang Junyi , Zhu Yi-Cheng , Tzourio Christophe , Mazoyer Bernard , Joliot Marc
Published: June 2021

We implemented a deep learning (DL) algorithm for the 3-dimensional segmentation of perivascular spaces (PVSs) in deep white matter (DWM) and basal ganglia (BG). This algorithm is based on an autoencoder and a U-shaped network (U-net), and was trained and tested using T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from a large database of 1,832 healthy young adults. An important feature of this approach is the ability to learn from relatively sparse data, which gives the present algorithm a major advantage over other DL algorithms. Here, we trained the algorithm with 40 T1-weighted MRI datasets in which all “visible” PVSs were manually annotated by an experienced operator. After learning, performance was assessed using another set of 10 MRI scans from the same database in which PVSs were also traced by the same operator and were checked by consensus with another experienced operator. The Sorensen-Dice coefficients for PVS voxel detection in DWM (resp. BG) were 0.51 (resp. 0.66), and 0.64 (resp. 0.71) for PVS cluster detection (volume threshold of 0.5 within a range of 0 to 1). Dice values above 0.90 could be reached for detecting PVSs larger than 10 mm3 and 0.95 for PVSs larger than 15 mm3. We then applied the trained algorithm to the rest of the database (1,782 individuals). The individual PVS load provided by the algorithm showed a high agreement with a semi-quantitative visual rating done by an independent expert rater, both for DWM and for BG. Finally, we applied the trained algorithm to an age-matched sample from another MRI database acquired using a different scanner. We obtained a very similar distribution of PVS load, demonstrating the interoperability of this algorithm.
PupilEXT: Flexible Open-Source Platform for High-Resolution Pupillometry in Vision Research
Authors: Zandi Babak , Lode Moritz , Herzog Alexander , Sakas Georgios , Khanh Tran Quoc
Published: June 2021

The human pupil behavior has gained increased attention due to the discovery of the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells and the afferent pupil control path’s role as a biomarker for cognitive processes. Diameter changes in the range of 10–2 mm are of interest, requiring reliable and characterized measurement equipment to accurately detect neurocognitive effects on the pupil. Mostly commercial solutions are used as measurement devices in pupillometry which is associated with high investments. Moreover, commercial systems rely on closed software, restricting conclusions about the used pupil-tracking algorithms. Here, we developed an open-source pupillometry platform consisting of hardware and software competitive with high-end commercial stereo eye-tracking systems. Our goal was to make a professional remote pupil measurement pipeline for laboratory conditions accessible for everyone. This work’s core outcome is an integrated cross-platform (macOS, Windows and Linux) pupillometry software called PupilEXT, featuring a user-friendly graphical interface covering the relevant requirements of professional pupil response research. We offer a selection of six state-of-the-art open-source pupil detection algorithms (Starburst, Swirski, ExCuSe, ElSe, PuRe and PuReST) to perform the pupil measurement. A developed 120-fps pupillometry demo system was able to achieve a calibration accuracy of 0.003 mm and an averaged temporal pupil measurement detection accuracy of 0.0059 mm in stereo mode. The PupilEXT software has extended features in pupil detection, measurement validation, image acquisition, data acquisition, offline pupil measurement, camera calibration, stereo vision, data visualization and system independence, all combined in a single open-source interface, available at https://github.com/openPupil/Open-PupilEXT.
Rabbit PrP Is Partially Resistant to in vitro Aggregation Induced by Different Biological Cofactors
Authors: Angelli Juliana N. , Passos Yulli M. , Brito Julyana M. A. , Silva Jerson L. , Cordeiro Yraima , Vieira Tuane C. R. G.
Published: June 2021

Prion diseases have been described in humans and other mammals, including sheep, goats, cattle, and deer. Since mice, hamsters, and cats are susceptible to prion infection, they are often used to study the mechanisms of prion infection and conversion. Mammals, such as horses and dogs, however, do not naturally contract the disease and are resistant to infection, while others, like rabbits, have exhibited low susceptibility. Infection involves the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) to the scrapie form (PrPSc), and several cofactors have already been identified as important adjuvants in this process, such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), lipids, and nucleic acids. The molecular mechanisms that determine transmissibility between species remain unclear, as well as the barriers to transmission. In this study, we examine the interaction of recombinant rabbit PrPC (RaPrP) with different biological cofactors such as GAGs (heparin and dermatan sulfate), phosphatidic acid, and DNA oligonucleotides (A1 and D67) to evaluate the importance of these cofactors in modulating the aggregation of rabbit PrP and explain the animal’s different degrees of resistance to infection. We used spectroscopic and chromatographic approaches to evaluate the interaction with cofactors and their effect on RaPrP aggregation, which we compared with murine PrP (MuPrP). Our data show that all cofactors induce RaPrP aggregation and exhibit pH dependence. However, RaPrP aggregated to a lesser extent than MuPrP in the presence of any of the cofactors tested. The binding affinity with cofactors does not correlate with these low levels of aggregation, suggesting that the latter are related to the stability of PrP at acidic pH. The absence of the N-terminus affected the interaction with cofactors, influencing the efficiency of aggregation. These findings demonstrate that the interaction with polyanionic cofactors is related to rabbit PrP being less susceptible to aggregation in vitro and that the N-terminal domain is important to the efficiency of conversion, increasing the interaction with cofactors. The decreased effect of cofactors in rabbit PrP likely explains its lower propensity to prion conversion.
A PD-1 Inhibitor Induces Complete Response of Advanced Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Wang Jianzheng , Li Qingli , Lv Huifang , Nie Caiyun , Chen Beibei , Xu Weifeng , Yang Tiejun , Zhang Yinping , Tu Shuiping , Chen Xiaobing
Published: June 2021

The prognosis of patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma is dismal. Platinum-based chemotherapy is still the main first-line treatment for advanced urothelial carcinoma, while immunotherapy can be used as a first-line treatment option for people who cannot tolerate platinum. Immunotherapy is preferred in the second-line treatment of bladder urothelial carcinoma. PD-1 inhibitors (Pembrolizumab, nivolumab and atezolizumab) and PD-L1 inhibitors (Ddurvalumab and avelumab) have not been approved for the treatment of advanced urothelial cancer in China. We describe a patient with advanced urothelial carcinoma experienced disease progression after gemcitabine chemotherapy. Following a treatment of domestic PD-1 inhibitor (sintilimab), the patient achieved a durable complete response with mild toxicity. This case indicates that PD-1 inhibitor sintilimab might be a second-line treatment choice for advanced urothelial carcinoma.
Aspirin Use and Common Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies and Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Lijuan , Zhang Rongqi , Yu Lili , Xiao Jiarui , Zhou Xuan , Li Xinxuan , Song Peige , Li Xue
Published: June 2021

Background

Whether aspirin use can decrease or increase cancer risk remains controversial. In this study, a meta-analysis of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to evaluate the effect of aspirin use on common cancer risk.

Method

Medline and Embase databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Meta-analyses of cohort studies and RCTs were performed to assess the effect of aspirin use on the risk of colorectal, gastric, breast, prostate and lung cancer. Cochran Q test and the I square metric were calculated to detect potential heterogeneity among studies. Subgroup meta-analyses according to exposure categories (frequency and duration) and timing of aspirin use (whether aspirin was used before and after cancer diagnosis) were also performed. A dose-response analysis was carried out to evaluate and quantify the association between aspirin dose and cancer risk.

Results

A total of 88 cohort studies and seven RCTs were included in the final analysis. Meta-analyses of cohort studies revealed that regular aspirin use reduced the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) (RR=0.85, 95%CI: 0.78-0.92), gastric cancer (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.52-0.87), breast cancer (RR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.87-0.99) and prostate cancer (RR=0.92, 95%CI: 0.86-0.98), but showed no association with lung cancer risk. Additionally, meta-analyses of RCTs showed that aspirin use had a protective effect on CRC risk (OR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.56-0.97). When combining evidence from meta-analyses of cohorts and RCTs, consistent evidence was found for the protective effect of aspirin use on CRC risk. Subgroup analysis showed that high frequency aspirin use was associated with increased lung cancer risk (RR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.01-1.09). Dose-response analysis revealed that high-dose aspirin use may increase prostate cancer risk.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for low-dose aspirin use for the prevention of CRC, but not other common cancers. High frequency or high dose use of aspirin should be prescribed with caution because of their associations with increased lung and prostate cancer risk, respectively. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and to find the minimum effective dose required for cancer prevention.
Case Report: Exome Sequencing Identified a Novel Frameshift Mutation of α-Actin 1 in a Chinese Family With Macrothrombocytopenia and Mild Bleeding
Authors: Luo Fang-Mei , Fan Liang-Liang , Sheng Yue , Dong Yi , Liu Lv
Published: June 2021

Inherited macrothrombocytopenia (IMTP) is a rare disorder characterized by a reduced platelet count and abnormally large platelets. The main clinical symptom of IMTP is mild bleeding in some patients. At present, more than 30 genes have been identified in patients with syndromic and non-syndromic IMTP. In this study, a 3-year-old boy and his mother who presented with mild epistaxis and/or gingival bleeding were diagnosed as having IMTP. Wen then selected whole sequencing to explore the genetic lesion of the patients. After data filtering and mutation validation, a novel frameshift mutation (NM_001130004: c.398_399insTGCG, p.F134AfsX60) of α-actin 1 (ACTN1) was identified in the proband and his mother but absent in other unaffected individuals. Previous studies have proven that mutations in ACTN1 may lead to IMTP with mild to absent bleeding phenotype. The novel mutation, resulting in a truncated protein in exon 4 of the ACTN1 gene, was absent in the public database, such as 1000G and genomAD. Further Western blot revealed that the expression of α-actin 1 in the proband was decreased overtly, which indicated that the novel frameshift mutation may induce non-sense-mediated mRNA decay. In summary, this study not only broadened the variants spectrum of ACTN1 gene, which may contribute to the genetic counseling of IMTP, but also confirmed the diagnosis of IMTP, which may help the management and prognosis for the family members.
Anti-Inflammatory Dipeptide, a Metabolite from Ambioba Secretion, Protects Cerebral Ischemia Injury by Blocking Apoptosis Via p-JNK/Bax Pathway
Authors: Zhang Qian , Dai Jinwei , Song Zhibing , Guo Yuchen , Deng Shanshan , Yu Yongsheng , Li Tiejun , Zhang Yuefan
Published: June 2021

MQ (l-methionyl-l-glutamic acid), anti-inflammatory dipeptide, is one of the metabolites of monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor, a thermostable pentapeptide secreted by Entamoeba histolytica. Monocyte locomotion inhibitory factor injection has been approved as an investigational drug for the potential neural protection in acute ischemic stroke. This study further investigated the neuroprotective effect of MQ in ischemic brain damage. Ischemia-reperfusion injury of the brain was induced in the rat model by middle cerebral artery occlusion. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining assay was used to measure cerebral infarction areas in rats. Laser Doppler measurement instrument was used to detect blood flow changes in the rat model. Nissl staining and NeuN staining were utilized to observe the numbers and structures of neuron cells, and the pathological changes in the brain tissues were examined by hematoxylin–eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to assess cell apoptosis. The changes in oxidative stress indexes, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA), were measured in serum. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium was used to measure the survival rates of PC12 cells. Flow cytometry assessed the apoptosis rates and the levels of reactive oxygen species. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the mRNA expression levels, and Western blotting was used to analyze the changes in protein levels of p-JNK, Bax, cleaved Caspase3. We revealed that MQ improved neurobehavior, decreased cerebral infarction areas, altered blood flow volume, and the morphology of the cortex and hippocampus. On the other hand, it decreased the apoptosis of cortical neurons and the levels of MDA, and increased the levels of superoxide dismutase. In vitro studies demonstrated that MQ enhanced the cell survival rates and decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species. Compared to the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion group, the protein and mRNA expressions of p-JNK, Bax, cleaved Caspase3 was decreased significantly. These findings suggested that MQ exerts a neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia by blocking apoptosis via the p-JNK/Bax pathway.
Collapse Analysis of a Transmission Tower-Line System Induced by Ice Shedding
Authors: Li Jiaxiang , Wang Biao , Sun Jian , Wang Shuhong , Zhang Xiaohong , Fu Xing
Published: June 2021

Ice shedding causes transmission lines to vibrate violently, which induces a sharp increase in the longitudinal unbalanced tension of the lines, even resulting in the progressive collapse of transmission towers in serious cases, which is a common ice-based disaster for transmission tower-line systems. Based on the actual engineering characteristics of a 500 kV transmission line taken as the research object, a finite element model of a two-tower, three-line system is established by commercial ANSYS finite element software. In the modeling process, the uniform mode method is used to introduce the initial defects, and the collapse caused by ice shedding and its influencing parameters are systematically studied. The results show that the higher the ice-shedding height is, the greater the threat of ice shedding to the system; furthermore, the greater the span is, the shorter the insulator length and the greater the dynamic response of the line; the impact of ice shedding should be considered in the design of transmission towers.
A Systematic Review of Melatonin in Plants: An Example of Evolution of Literature
Authors: Murch Susan J. , Erland Lauren A. E.
Published: June 2021

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine) is a mammalian neurohormone, antioxidant and signaling molecule that was first discovered in plants in 1995. The first studies investigated plant melatonin from a human perspective quantifying melatonin in foods and medicinal plants and questioning whether its presence could explain the activity of some plants as medicines. Starting with these first handful of studies in the late 1990s, plant melatonin research has blossomed into a vibrant and active area of investigation and melatonin has been found to play critical roles in mediating plant responses and development at every stage of the plant life cycle from pollen and embryo development through seed germination, vegetative growth and stress response. Here we have utilized a systematic approach in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocols to reduce bias in our assessment of the literature and provide an overview of the current state of melatonin research in plants, covering 1995–2021. This review provides an overview of the biosynthesis and metabolism of melatonin as well as identifying key themes including: abiotic stress responses, root development, light responses, interkingdom communication, phytohormone and plant signaling. Additionally, potential biases in the literature are investigated and a birefringence in the literature between researchers from plant and medical based which has helped to shape the current state of melatonin research. Several exciting new opportunities for future areas of melatonin research are also identified including investigation of non-crop and non-medicinal species as well as characterization of melatonin signaling networks in plants.
Lexical Diversity, Lexical Sophistication, and Predictability for Speech in Multiple Listening Conditions
Authors: Baese-Berk Melissa M. , Drake Shiloh , Foster Kurtis , Lee Dae-yong , Staggs Cecelia , Wright Jonathan M.
Published: June 2021

When talkers anticipate that a listener may have difficulty understanding their speech, they adopt a speaking style typically described as “clear speech.” This speaking style includes a variety of acoustic modifications and has perceptual benefits for listeners. In the present study, we examine whether clear speaking styles also include modulation of lexical items selected and produced during naturalistic conversations. Our results demonstrate that talkers do, indeed, modulate their lexical selection, as measured by a variety of lexical diversity and lexical sophistication indices. Further, the results demonstrate that clear speech is not a monolithic construct. Talkers modulate their speech differently depending on the communication situation. We suggest that clear speech should be conceptualized as a set of speaking styles, in which talkers take the listener and communication situation into consideration.
Political Narratives and the US Partisan Gender Gap
Authors: Antinyan Armenak , Bassetti Thomas , Corazzini Luca , Pavesi Filippo
Published: June 2021

Social scientists have devoted considerable research effort to investigate the determinants of the Partisan Gender Gap (PGG), whereby US women (men) tend to exhibit more liberal (conservative) political preferences over time. Results of a survey experiment run during the COVID-19 emergency and involving 3,086 US residents show that exposing subjects to alternative narratives on the causes of the pandemic increases the PGG: relative to a baseline treatment in which no narrative manipulation is implemented, exposing subjects to either the Lab narrative (claiming that COVID-19 was caused by a lab accident in Wuhan) or the Nature narrative (according to which COVID-19 originated in the wildlife) makes women more liberal. The polarization effect documented in our experiment is magnified by the political orientation of participants' state of residence: the largest PGG effect is between men residing in Republican-leaning states and women living in Democratic-leaning states.

JEL Classification: J16, D83, C83, C99, P16, D72.
From Enchantment to Disillusion: A Narrative Exploration of Cannabis Use Disorder Among Young Israeli Combat Veterans
Authors: Serebro Miri , Sobol-Goldberg Shira , Feingold Daniel
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Substance use is common among military personnel and war veterans, especially combat veterans. Despite substantially high prevalence of cannabis use and Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) consistently reported among veterans, little is known about psychological factors which may underlie CUD among this population.

Methods: In this study, we used narrative analysis in order to interpret retrospective in-depth interviews of combat veterans (N = 12) who were released from mandatory military duty during the past 5 years and currently qualified for a diagnosis of CUD. Participants were recruited from a larger quantitative study were eligible for participation if they screened positive for a diagnosis of CUD according to the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test- Revised (CUDIT-R) questionnaire. CUD diagnosis was validated in-person using the cannabis section of the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-5 (AUDADIS-5) interview protocol. All interviews were transcribed and coded using the content analysis procedure.

Findings: Five main themes were extracted: (a) Traumatic events (b) Attitudes toward cannabis use (c) Combatant identity (d) The role of authority/father figures, and (e) Moral crisis. A meta-theme has been identified, “from enchantment to disillusion,” representing a gradual psychological shift from a hopeful, highly motivated stance into the current state of mental rupture and moral injury, which are unsuccessfully compensated by excessive use of cannabis.

Conclusions: This study shed light on the etiology of CUD among young combat veterans, highlighting the role of supposed self-medication for trauma and sense of betrayal.
Understanding Mental Health and Cognitive Restructuring With Ecological Neuroscience
Authors: Crum James
Published: June 2021

Neuroimaging and neuropsychological methods have contributed much toward an understanding of the information processing systems of the human brain in the last few decades, but to what extent do cognitive neuroscientific findings represent and generalize to the inter- and intra-brain dynamics engaged in adapting to naturalistic situations? If it is not marked, and experimental designs lack ecological validity, then this stands to potentially impact the practical applications of a paradigm. In no other domain is this more important to acknowledge than in human clinical neuroimaging research, wherein reduced ecological validity could mean a loss in clinical utility. One way to improve the generalizability and representativeness of findings is to adopt a more “real-world” approach to the development and selection of experimental designs and neuroimaging techniques to investigate the clinically-relevant phenomena of interest. For example, some relatively recent developments to neuroimaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) make it possible to create experimental designs using naturalistic tasks that would otherwise not be possible within the confines of a conventional laboratory. Mental health, cognitive interventions, and the present challenges to investigating the brain during treatment are discussed, as well as how the ecological use of fNIRS might be helpful in bridging the explanatory gaps to understanding the cultivation of mental health.
Pharmacological Activating Transcription Factor 6 Activation Is Beneficial for Liver Retrieval With ex vivo Normothermic Mechanical Perfusion From Cardiac Dead Donor Rats
Authors: Cheng Nuo , Shi Ji-Hua , Jin Yang , Shi Yuan-Bin , Liu Xu-Dong , Zhang Hua-Peng , Cao Sheng-Li , Yang Han , Guo Wen-Zhi , Zhang Shui-Jun
Published: June 2021

Background: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) could be beneficial for organ retrieval from donors after cardiac death (DCD). Activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) was recently shown to mitigate liver ischemia/reperfusion injury and confer protection. The aims of this study were to assess the implication of ATF6 in liver retrieval from DCD rat livers with NMP and explore the effect of pharmacologic ATF-6 activation on liver retrieval.

Methods: The livers from DCD rats were exposed to 30 min of warm ischemia and 8 h cold preservation followed by 2 h NMP with or without an ATF6 activator in the perfusate. Perfusates and livers were harvested to detect ATF6 expression, liver function, and inflammation.

Results: DCD livers with NMP were associated with ATF6 overexpression and activation based on IHC and WB (P < 0.05). The ATF6 activator downregulated perfusate aminotransferases, decreased the Suzuki score, downregulated CD68 and MPO based on IHC, induced the expression of cytochrome c in mitochondria and inhibited the expression of cytochrome c in cytoplasm based on WB, reduced TNFα and IL-6 levels based on ELISA, decreased levels of MDA, GSSG and ATP, and increased SOD activity and GSH levels in the perfused livers (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: ATF6 is important for liver retrieval, and an exogenous ATF6 activator accelerates liver retrieval from DCD rats in an ex vivo NMP model.
Evaluating Genotype × Environment Interactions of Yield Traits and Adaptability in Rice Cultivars Grown under Temperate, Subtropical and Tropical Environments
Authors: Huang Xing , Jang Su , Kim Backki , Piao Zhongze , Redona Edilberto , Koh Hee-Jong
Published: June 2021

Rice yield is a complex trait that is strongly affected by environment and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) effects. Consideration of GEI in diverse environments facilitates the accurate identification of optimal genotypes with high yield performance, which are adaptable to specific or diverse environments. In this study, multiple environment trials were conducted to evaluate grain yield (GY) and four yield-component traits: panicle length, panicle number, spikelet number per panicle, and thousand-grain weight. Eighty-nine rice varieties were cultivated in temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions for two years. The effects of both GEI (12.4–19.6%) and environment (23.6–69.6%) significantly contributed to the variation of all yield-component traits. In addition, 37.1% of GY variation was explained by GEI, indicating that GY performance was strongly affected by the different environmental conditions. GY performance and genotype stability were evaluated using simultaneous selection indexing, and 19 desirable genotypes were identified with high productivity and broad adaptability across temperate, subtropical, and tropical conditions. These optimal genotypes could be recommended for cultivation and as elite parents for rice breeding programs to improve yield potential and general adaptability to climates.
Effects of Different Organic Fertilizers on Improving Soil from Newly Reclaimed Land to Crop Soil
Authors: Li Xuqing , Su Yao , Ahmed Temoor , Ren Haiying , Javed Muhammad Rizwan , Yao Yanlai , An Qianli , Yan Jianli , Li Bin
Published: June 2021

The rapid development of cities in the recent 10 years caused a reduction in the cultivated land area, which only accounts for 14% of the total land area in China. Land development and reclamation have been regarded as an effective way to compensate farmland occupation. However, most of the newly reclaimed land has poor soil fertility and suitability; in some cases, the production capacity is only 10–30% of the occupied farmland. In order to ameliorate the soil quality of the newly reclaimed land, this study evaluated the effects of commercial organic fertilizer (0.75, 1.50, and 2.25 kg/m2), mushroom residue (1.50, 2.25, and 3.00 kg/m2), biogas slurry (150, 225, and 300 kg/m2), vegetable cake (0.30 and 0.60 kg/m2), and chemical compound fertilizer (37.50 g/m2) on the pH, moisture content and organic matter content (OMC), available phosphate, total nitrogen, alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, and number of total bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, as well as the growth of maize seedlings. The results from this study indicate that the soil quality (OMC is an indicator) was ameliorated by chemical and organic fertilizers, in particular commercial organic fertilizers, which caused a 9.35–16.35% increase in moisture content, a 11.56–18.72% increase in pH, a 1.73–2.15 fold increase in OMC, a 338.44–491.41% increase in available P, a 36.80–48.14% increase in total N, a 95.32–128.34% increase in alkaline hydrolysis N, a 92.57–178.38% increase in total bacterial numbers, and a 7.57–20.87 fold increase in microbial biomass carbon compared with the control. The pot experiment further indicated that soil amended with commercial organic fertilizers caused a 20.35–30.55% increase in the height and a 12.50–16.67% increase in the total dry weight of maize seedlings. In addition, representative strains with the ability to dissolve phosphorus and fix nitrogen were successfully isolated using the culture method, and were then identified based on colony morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, which help us to not only understand why organic fertilizer has great effect on soil improvement, but also provides beneficial microbial resources for further study.
The Role of Peat-Free Organic Substrates in the Sustainable Management of Soilless Cultivations
Authors: Atzori Giulia , Pane Catello , Zaccardelli Massimo , Cacini Sonia , Massa Daniele
Published: June 2021

Vegetable and ornamental crops require high input demand to adequately support their standard commercial quality and yield. For these crops, a very high level of agronomic use efficiency of many productive factors can be achieved in soilless culture. For example, the benefits derived from the adoption of soilless closed loops for the recirculation of the nutrient solution are well known as a benchmark of excellence for nutrient and water use efficiency. The challenges that we now face are as follows: (i) making soilless systems more inclusive of sustainable and eco-friendly growing substrates, possibly available at a local level; (ii) replacing chemicals with more sustainable products (e.g., organic active compounds) as much as possible for plant nutrition and protection. These goals can be addressed by following different approaches, but the adoption of peat-free organic substrates may play a central role. This work investigates four organic materials, i.e., biochar, coir, green compost, and wood fibers, to assess their role in plant nutrition and protection when used as components for the preparation of growing media in the soilless cultivation of containerized crops. In further detail, the work highlights how these materials may support normal agronomic practices.
Performance of Hydroponically Cultivated Geranium and Common Verbena under Salinity and High Electrical Conductivity Levels
Authors: Chrysargyris Antonios , Petropoulos Spyridon A. , Prvulovic Dejan , Tzortzakis Nikolaos
Published: June 2021

Abiotic factors in nutrient solutions (NSs), such as salinity and high electrical conductivity (EC), may adversely alter plant growth and crop performance. However, there are medicinal/aromatic plants which can not only withstand these adverse conditions, but which can also increase their productivity or even enhance their quality in such conditions. As fresh water sources suitable for irrigation are becoming more and more limited, the use of low-quality water sources and hydroponic growing systems have been suggested as the main alternatives. Towards that direction, this study aims to evaluate the effect of high EC levels in NSs on geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Hér.) and common verbena (Verbena officinallis L.) plants cultivated in a soilless (perlite) hydroponics system. Plants were irrigated with a full nutrient solution of EC 2.1 dS m−1 and pH 5.8 until they reached a uniform size. Then, three treatments were applied, namely: (a) a control treatment with an EC of 2.1 dS m−1 in the NS, (b) a high-salinity NS created by adding 75 mM of NaCl (EC under 8.5 dS m−1) and (c) a concentrated NS with an EC of 8.5 dS m−1. In pelargonium, high salinity decreased the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents; antioxidant capacity; N, K, Mg and P content; as well as chlorophyll fluorescence, compared to the control treatment. On the other hand, increased salinity levels increased the Na and Ca content and stomatal resistance. In common verbena, salinity decreased total phenolic content and chlorophyll fluorescence but increased total flavonoid content; antioxidants; leaf K, P, Na, Cu and Zn content; and stomatal resistance, compared to the control. In both species, high EC did not affect polyphenols, flavonoids or antioxidants, whereas it increased stomatal resistance and nutrient accumulation in the leaves, and decreased chlorophyll fluorescence compared to the control treatment. Damage indices, indicated by lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide production and the elevation of enzymes’ antioxidant activities, were evidenced in both saline- and high-EC-treated plants. In conclusion, despite having the same EC levels in the nutrient solution, it seems that ionic stress caused by high mineral concentrations in the nutrient solution had less severe effects on the tested plants than the relevant osmotic stress caused by high salinity due to the addition of NaCl in the nutrient solution.
Agromorphological Characterization and Nutritional Value of Traditional Almond Cultivars Grown in the Central-Western Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Pérez-Sánchez Rodrigo , Morales-Corts María Remedios
Published: June 2021

In this study, 24 traditional almond cultivars grown in the central-western Iberian Peninsula, all of them clearly in decline or close to extinction, were characterized from the agromorphological and chemical points of view. A total of 40 agromorphological and chemical descriptors, mainly defined by the IPGRI and the UPOV, were used to describe the flowers, leaves, fruits and the trees themselves over three consecutive years (2015–2017). Some of the cultivars showed distinctive and interesting agronomical characteristics from a commercial point of view, such as high yields and high quality fruit. This was the case of the almond cultivars called “Gorda José” and “Marcelina”. Their fruits were quite heavy (nuts: >9.1 g; kernels: >1.9 g), with very low percentages of double kernels (<3%) and high nutritional value (>50% lipids; >21% proteins). The results of the PCA and cluster analysis showed that agromorphological and chemical analysis can provide reliable information on the variability in almond genotypes. This work constitutes an important step in the conservation of genetic almond resources in the central-western Iberian Peninsula.
Tools for Nano-Enabled Agriculture: Fertilizers Based on Calcium Phosphate, Silicon, and Chitosan Nanostructures
Authors: Fellet Guido , Pilotto Laura , Marchiol Luca , Braidot Enrico
Published: June 2021

The Green New Deal requires a profound transformation of the agricultural sector, which will have to become more sustainable and ensure universal access to healthy food. Thus, it will be essential to introduce radical technological innovations. Nanotechnologies have the potential to produce a significant boost to the improvement of the food system. Within this context, in the next years, a strong challenge will need to be faced regarding developing new and more efficient uses of nutrients in agriculture, being the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) paramount in sustaining high crop productivity without depleting biodiversity, and altering both the natural and agricultural systems. Nutrients leaching causes environmental pollution and water eutrophication, while nutrient excess favors pest and weed widespread. Therefore, it will be mandatory to improve plant nutrition efficiency without affecting agricultural productivity and economic sustainability. A promising alternative consists of the introduction of the so-called nanomaterial enhanced fertilizers and plant growth stimulators. Such innovation includes nanotechnological solutions that can improve nutrient delivery for a more finely tuned, accurate, and saving-resources distribution of nutrients. This review provides a critical view of the latest advances in nanofertilizer research, mainly referring to nano-hydroxyapatite, silica nanoparticles, and chitosan-derived nanostructures.