bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity and population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes in commercial and smallholder pineapple production in Kenya
Authors: Kiriga Agnes W. , Coyne Danny , Atandi Janet G. , Beek Nikolai V. , Haukeland Solveig
Published: February 2021

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) cause significant yield reduction in commercial pineapple (Ananas comosus) worldwide. In Kenya, few nematode studies have been conducted, although the main commercial pineapple producer has sole dispensation to use Telone II (1,3-Dichloropropene) indicating the magnitude of the nematode problem. This study was conducted with the aim to investigate the population densities and diversity of nematodes in two commercial plantations with two contrasting management practices. We additionally assessed the influence of crop age and compared this with nearby smallholder pineapple production systems. Soil and root samples were collected from fields of different ages in each commercial plantation and from 29 smallholder fields. A total of 18 genera were associated with pineapple, with a relatively greater diversity found in smallholder than commercial farms. The most prevalent genus was Meloidogyne spp. (M. javanica) followed by Helicotylenchus spp., Tylenchus spp. and Aphelenchoides spp. PPN densities were higher in relatively older fields of 24 and 36 months than from fallow and 3-month-old fields. Regression analysis additionally demonstrated the rise of PPN densities with age of pineapple fields, especially Meloidogyne spp., while free-living nematode densities declined. This study provides an indication of the high level of PPN infection in pineapple in Kenya, which would constitute an important factor contributing to low yields. The study confirms an obvious need for pineapple producers to control PPN to improve crop yields.
Traces of Late Medieval Jewish Scotism: A Catalan Translation in Hebrew Script of De distinctione predicamentorum by Petrus Thomae
Authors: Baum Ilil
Published: February 2021

Jewish-Christian intellectual relations in late medieval Spain are discussed in light of a curious fragment in Hebrew script from the Vatican Library. The fragment contains an unknown translation from Latin to Catalan (in Hebrew characters) of the work of the Catalan Franciscan monk Petrus Thomae, De distinctione predicamentorum. This translation is also compared with Thomae’s Tractatus brevis de modis distinctionum as it demonstrates an intermediate version between these two works by Petrus Thomae, though it resembles the first more closely. These traces invite a discussion on the existence of “Jewish Scotism” among the Jews of Catalonia, and after the expulsion, among their descendants, who probably made their way to Italy. The text is among the latest evidence of the use of Catalan in Hebrew characters on the cusp of the sixteenth century.
Nationaliteit in Belgisch Congo: Constructie en Verbeelding
Authors: De Meester Tom
Published: February 2021

Nationality in the Belgian Congo: Construction and Imagination

This article discusses nationality law in the Belgian Congo and analyses theoretical disputes in the contemporary legal literature concerning issues of nationality and racial segregation in colonial society. The Belgian nationality of the black inhabitants of the Congo region is depicted as mere rhetoric, since it did not protect them from racial segregation and severe discrimination. The minor importance of national boundaries in colonial society and the domination of social reality by a hegemonic racial idiom were reflected in an insufficient and inaccurate nationality law. Colonial law and regulations moreover, were built around racial categories the mutual boundaries of which were not clearly defined.
De Eigennaam en het “Zelflofdicht” in de Afrikaanse Orale Literatuur
Authors: Kabuta Ngo Semzara
Published: February 2021

The proper name and “selfpraise poetry” in the African oral literature

There is a particular poetic genre in African oral literature, based on selfpraise. Selfpraise poetry is built on proper names and formulas, with the metaphor and hyperbole as central style figures. In this article, we situate the proper name inside African culture and show the link between the proper name and selfpraise. Furthermore, we try to grasp the meaning of praising oneself in African culture. The study relies essentially on Cilubà and Kilubà data, but references are made to other languages, in order to show that the genre is not limited to the Lubà oral literature. The first part concentrates on name giving and its meaning. The second part is an analysis of selfpraise poetry, with examples in different languages.
War as Exit from Exclusion? The Formation of Mayi-Mayi Militias in Eastern Congo
Authors: Vlassenroot Koen , Van Acker Frank
Published: February 2021

War as Exit from Exclusion? The Formation of Mayi-Mayi Militias in Eastern Congo

In eastern Congo scores of young and marginalized people have been increasingly attracted to the mobilising efforts of new local actors. The inquiry into this phenomenon traces the emergence of the first militias to the end of the eighties. These first generation militias were a result of the growing willingness of marginalized youngsters and school drop-outs to form groups of under-aged combatants acting against every representative of modern political authority and against their desperate feelings of exclusion, for which both their political and social environment were held responsible. As they had nothing more to lose than their marginalization, rebellion became an option, both as a survival strategy and as a strategy of self-defence against a predatory political and social order. The shiftiness of their ideological basis and allies only further proved what these first militias were about: a search for alternatives to a situation of acute deprivation.

This article reveals that the present RCD rebellion that rages through the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo has had an escalating effect on the proliferation of new militias. Before, the Kabila-led AFDL rebellion had already offered the already existing militias a new cause: that of an anti-Tutsi force fighting against foreign occupation. In resistance to the effects of state collapse and armed foreign interventions, rural and urban youth today have combined former traditions and newly developed patterns of mobility in an interpretation of customary and national defence. This has not meant that they link up with the traditional emanations of authority. Rather, a crisis in the social fabric has meant a shift in authority towards these combatants and the use of violence. In addition, shared feelings of antipathy towards the ‘Tutsi-aggressors’ have facilitated the creation of links between these diverse local groupings and other, foreign, factions of armed militia roaming the local countryside. Consolidation, however, remains unlikely as this shared ideology does not run very deep and alliances continuously change.

The question remains what the future impact of these militias might be on the local social order. On the one hand, for several years now in some remote areas these armed groupings have become the only representatives of any authority structure, even if this structure is based on violence. Contrary to other cases, these militias in South Kivu are still closely linked to the rural population and have not turned against them. On the other hand, the dynamic of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue has forced their leaders to present their grievances to the outside world.
The Place of Sub-Sahara Africa in the Worldsportsystem
Authors: Dejonghe Trudo
Published: February 2021

The place of Sub-Sahara Africa in the Worldsportsystem

The contemporary world sportsystem is developed through globalisation with its homogenisation and heterogenisation processes. The result of these opposite forces is the division of the world in 6 classes. Sub-Sahara Africa underwent, with the exception of South-Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, a total and passive acceptance of the western (British) modern sports. The place of that part of Africa is analogue to and correlates with its place in Wallerstein’s worldsystem periphery. The introduction of modern sports is associated with the spatial diffusion of the 19th century British hegemonic cultural imperialism. The purpose of this policy was a transformation of the traditional society into a modern functional world-culture and the incorporation of that part of the world in the world-system. The anti-western feelings after the independence resulted in a political Pan-Africanism. However, sport and more specific soccer, a typical product of the western domination, has not been rejected. On the contrary, local politicians used it to create a national identity. The strong link between soccer and soil resulted in a strong form of topophily. This connection was transformed into sportnationalism and created in the, through artificial borders developed, nations a unity and a national pride. The outcome of sport games was used to demonstrate the successes in politics and economics. The absence of any political platform on which the Third World had a strong voice brought about that the international sport scene, such as the FIFA, was used for the unification of the Third World against the former colonial powers. Nowadays, the globalisation processes result in an increasing labour migration of African football players to the rich core competitions in Europe. This form of migration can be classified as another form of “cash crop” or in this case “foot drain..”

“As Roman imperialism laid the foundation of modern civilisation and led wild barbarians of these islands (Britain) along the path of progress, so in Africa today we are repaying the debt, and bringing to the dark places of the earth – the abode of barbarism and cruelty – the torch of culture and progress… we hold these countries because it is the genius of our race to colonise, to trade and to govern” (quote by the English educationist Sir Frederick Lugard (1858-1954) in Mandell, 1986: p.102).
Physiological changes during heartwood formation induced by plant growth regulators in Dalbergia odorifera (Leguminosae)
Authors: Cui Zhiyi , Li Xiaofei , Xu Daping , Yang Zengjiang , Zhang Ningnan , Liu Xiaojin , Hong Zhou
Published: February 2021

There is a need to better understand and promote formation of ‘Jiang Xiang’, the highly valuable heartwood of Dalbergia odorifera T. Chen. Plant growth regulators are the most widely used and generally most effective promoters of heartwood formation. However, to date no method has been proved effective for D. odorifera as little is known about biochemical and physiological change during heartwood development. Four potential heartwood induction substances viz. ethephon, methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and abscisic acid solutions were injected into the trunk of D. odorifera to determine the effect on heartwood formation and related physiological responses. Non-structural carbohydrates, wood properties, essential oil and histochemical and structural observation were assessed in the post-treatment period. As also observed in the formation of natural heartwood, growth regulator-induced Jiang Xiang production was accompanied by sapwood dehydration, non-structural carbohydrates consumption and synthesis of heartwood specific substances. These substances were synthesized in the ray and axial parenchyma and than transported into the vessels through the pits. As the heartwood substances accumulated, basic density and essential oil content increased gradually, thereby Jiang Xiang was finally produced. In this process, physiological parameters of discoloured sapwood gradually evolved to resemble those of natural heartwood. Ethephon-induced Jiang Xiang was closest to natural heartwood and its density, essential oil content, composition and relative amounts met the standards for high-quality Jiang Xiang, while the other inducers had unsatisfactory induction effects. This study supports the hypothesis that ethephon could be applied to induce formation of Jiang Xiang in D. odorifera.
Biogeographical regionalisation of Colombia: a revised area taxonomy

Authors: GONZÁLEZ-OROZCO CARLOS E.
Published: February 2021

This study proposes a biogeographical regionalisation of Colombia based on geospatial analyses of plant species turnover and a revised area taxonomy. The spatial patterns of species turnover are calculated for 20,342 plant species in continental Colombia with distributions estimated from 271,568 georeferenced records aggregated to 414 (~50 km) grid cells across Colombia. The proposed biogeographic regions are defined by applying an agglomerative cluster analysis using a matrix of pairwise Simpson’s beta (bsim) dissimilarity values. Three main centres of species richness and 25 areas of endemism were identified across Colombia, complementing the definition of regionalisation. Biogeographical regionalisation comprises two dominions (Pacific and Boreal Brazilian), six provinces (Chocó-Darién, Guajira, Magdalena, Paramo, Sabana and Imerí) and thirty-five districts. The revised area taxonomy provides an updated and objective biogeographical classification for Colombia and is the first biogeographic regionalisation exclusively based on the taxic distributional overlap of Colombia´s land plants.
A new species of Dichagyris Lederer, 1857 from China (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)
Authors: GYULAI PETER , SALDAITIS AIDAS
Published: February 2021

Dichagyris is a diverse genus with a Holarctic distribution. Only a few taxa of the subgenus Albocosta Fibiger & Lafontaine, 1997 occur in the northwesternmost part of the Oriental region. The genus is most diverse in Turkey, Iran and the Central Asiatic high mountains. However, there is a distinct Sino-Tibetan group of species, possibly representing an undescribed subgenus. However, this idea is provisional and awaits revision of the genus. For present purposes, we assign these species to the subgenus Dichagyris. They share the following putative synapomorphies: black, dark brown or dark greyish forewing ground colour (with one exception), with obscure, reduced wing pattern and a broad-based, short, conical harpe in the male genitalia. Species of this group can be subdivided to two species-groups. In the astigmata-group which was mentioned for the first time by Hreblay et al. (1998) but without description or diagnosis from the minuta-group, the vesica is elongate and tubular (males), the appendix bursae and corpus bursae are long, sack–like, almost equal in size (females). In the minuta-group, the vesica is more ample than in the astigmata-group, and coiled, and the appendix bursae is globular and much shorter than the corpus bursae. The astigmata-group includes Dichagyris astigmata (Hampson, 1906), D. gansuensis Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998, D. geochroides (Boursin, 1948) and D. vargazoli (Gyulai & Ronkay, 2001). The minuta-group comprises D. minuta Hreblay & Plante, 1998 and D. kormos Gyulai & Ronkay, 2001. During a research expedition in Sichuan in 2019, the existence of a third species in the minuta-group was recognized, which is described here. In addition, the female and its genitalia of D. gansuensis, which was described by Hreblay & Ronkay (1998) based on a single male, are illustrated here for the first time.
Megacraspedus laseni sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) from the Dolomites of north-eastern Italy
Authors: TIMOSSI GIOVANNI , HUEMER PETER
Published: February 2021

Megacraspedus laseni sp. nov. is described from Dolomiti Bellunesi (Veneto Region, Prov. Belluno, Italy). The habitus of the adult and male genitalia are described and illustrated whereas the female sex remains unknown. The new species belongs to the Megacraspedus pentheres species group and is closely related to the southern alpine M. eburnellus Huemer & Karsholt, 2001 from which it differs in morphological characters and in DNA barcode sequence. Megacraspedus carolustertius Gastón & Vives, 2020 is synonymized with M. quadristictus Lhomme, 1946, syn. nov.
A new macromedusa from the coast of Mozambique: Aurelia mozambica sp. nov. (Scyphozoa: Ulmaridae)
Authors: BROWN MICHAEL , SCORRANO SIMONETTA , KUPLIK ZAFRIR , KUYPER DRIKUS , RAS VERENA , THIBAULT DELPHINE , ENGELBRECHT ADRIAAN , GIBBONS MARK J
Published: February 2021

A new species of the cosmopolitan jellyfish genus Aurelia is described from the coastal waters of Mozambique using a combination of morphological, meristic and genetic information (COI and 18S). The species can be separated from congeners that have been recently described by a combination of bell shape, number of canal origins and anastomoses, and the shape of the manubrium and oral arms. Three types of nematocysts are present in the tissues of both the bell margin and oral arms, and this description of the cnidome will allow for future comparison. Pairwise genetic comparisons showed a mean COI divergence of 4.8% within the group, and a mean divergence ranging between 15% and 22% with all other species of Aurelia.
Meteosat Third Generation (MTG): Continuation and Innovation of Observations from Geostationary Orbit
Authors: Holmlund K. , Grandell J. , Schmetz J. , Stuhlmann R. , Bojkov B. , Munro R. , Lekouara M. , Coppens D. , Viticchie B. , August T. , Theodore B. , Watts P. , Dobber M. , Fowler G. , Bojinski S. , Schmid A. , Salonen K. , Tjemkes S. , Aminou D. , Blythe P.
Published: February 2021

Within the next couple of years, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) will start the deployment of its next-generation geostationary meteorological satellites. The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is composed of four imaging (MTG-I) and two sounding (MTG-S) platforms. The satellites are three-axis stabilized, unlike the two previous generations of Meteosat that were spin stabilized, and carry two sets of remote sensing instruments each. Hence, in addition to providing continuity, the new system will provide an unprecedented capability from geostationary orbit. The payload on the MTG-I satellites are the 16-channel Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager (LI). The payloads on the MTG-S satellites are the hyperspectral Infrared Sounder (IRS) and a high-resolution Ultraviolet–Visible–Near-Infrared (UVN) sounder Sentinel-4/UVN, provided by the European Commission. Today, hyperspectral sounding from geostationary orbit is provided by the Chinese Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) satellite Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) instrument, and lightning mappers are available on FY-4A and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-16 and GOES-17 satellites. Consequently, the development of science and applications for these types of instruments have a solid foundation. However, the IRS, LI, and Sentinel-4/UVN are a challenging first for Europe in a geostationary orbit. The four MTG-I and two MTG-S satellites are designed to provide 20 and 15.5 years of operational service, respectively. The launch of the first MTG-I is expected at the end of 2022 and the first MTG-S roughly a year later. This article describes the four instruments, outlines products and services, and addresses the evolution of the further applications.
Roles of Barotropic Instability across the Moat in Inner Eyewall Decay and Outer Eyewall Intensification: Essential Dynamics
Authors: Lai Tsz-Kin , Hendricks Eric A. , Yau M. K. , Menelaou Konstantinos
Published: February 2021

Intense tropical cyclones (TCs) often experience secondary eyewall formations and the ensuing eyewall replacement cycles. Better understanding of the underlying dynamics is crucial to make improvements to the TC intensity and structure forecasting. Radar imagery of some double-eyewall TCs and a real-case simulation study indicated that the barotropic instability (BI) across the moat (aka type-2 BI) may play a role in inner eyewall decay. A three-dimensional numerical study accompanying this paper pointed out that type-2 BI is able to withdraw the inner eyewall absolute angular momentum (AAM) and increase the outer eyewall AAM through the eddy radial transport of eddy AAM. This paper explores the reason why the eddy radial transport of eddy AAM is intrinsically nonzero. Linear and nonlinear shallow water experiments are performed and they produce expected evolutions under type-2 BI. It will be shown that only nonlinear experiments have changes in AAM over the inner and outer eyewalls, and the changes solely originate from the eddy radial transport of eddy AAM. This result highlights the importance of nonlinearity of type-2 BI. Based on the distribution of vorticity perturbations and the balanced-waves arguments, it will be demonstrated that the nonzero eddy radial transport of eddy AAM is an essential outcome from the intrinsic interaction between the mutually growing vortex Rossby waves across the moat under type-2 BI. The analyses of the most unstable mode support the findings and will further attribute the inner eyewall decay and outer eyewall intensification to the divergence and convergence of the eddy angular momentum flux, respectively.
Effects of bilirubin configurational photoisomers on the measurement of direct bilirubin by the vanadate oxidation method
Authors: Kawamoto Shohei , Koyano Kosuke , Ozaki Miyo , Arai Takeshi , Iwase Takashi , Okada Hitoshi , Itoh Susumu , Murao Koji , Kusaka Takashi
Published: February 2021

Background

Direct-reacting bilirubin concentrations measured using vanadate chemical oxidation method do not exactly match the conjugated bilirubin concentration. One of the causes is the effect of bilirubin photoisomers. However, the quantitative evaluation of the effects of these photoisomers has not been sufficiently conducted. In particular, the influence of bilirubin configurational isomers on direct bilirubin is the most critical factor.

Methods

Sixteen residual serum samples were used. For quantitative analysis based on the change in direct bilirubin and bilirubin configurational isomer, samples were irradiated via blue light-emitting diodes to suppress the production of bilirubin structural isomers. Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin concentrations were measured using the vanadate chemical oxidation method. Concentrations of 4Z,15Z-bilirubin IXα and its photoisomers were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The sum of 4Z,15E-bilirubin IXα and 4E,15Z-bilirubin IXα was notated as bilirubin configurational isomer, and the differences between the measured values of the irradiated and non-irradiated samples were calculated and notated as ΔDB and ΔBCI.

Results

In non-irradiated and irradiated samples, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin concentrations were 10.73 mg/dL with significant a decrease to 10.60 mg/dL and 0.69 mg/dL with a significant increase to 0.78 mg/dL, while bilirubin configurational isomer values were 1.00 mg/dL and 1.52 mg/dL, respectively. The linear regression equation revealed a significant positive correlation of Y = 0.187X−0.006 between ΔDB (Y) and ΔBCI (X).

Conclusion

Applying the vanadate chemical oxidation method affected approximately 19% of the bilirubin configurational isomer concentration for direct bilirubin. Extreme caution is necessary when interpreting the measured values of samples indicative of unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.
No family left behind: Flexibility i-deals for employees with stigmatized family identities
Authors: Anand Smriti , Mitra Arjun
Published: February 2021

Most contemporary employers offer some policies to facilitate work–family (WF) balance for their employees. However, do the policies designed to help everyone suffice for unique employees with stigmatized social identities and non-traditional family structures? We conceptualize stigmatized family identity (SFI) to provide key insights on distinct WF issues experienced by such employees, and potential solutions in the form of person-specific work arrangements called idiosyncratic deals (i-deals). First, we define the construct of SFI, and exemplify its different types arising from the intersection of sexual orientation/gender identity/race and a non-traditional family structure. Second, we integrate literatures on WF and stigma to theorize the broad spectrum of WF issues and ensuing effects on job outcomes of employees with SFIs. Finally, we advance theory by developing a multi-level framework highlighting the importance of flexibility i-deals for employees with SFIs. Our framework identifies boundary conditions at individual, team, and organizational levels that can encourage (or deter) such employees from seeking i-deals. In doing so, we also explore the importance of privilege when it comes to SFI employees seeking i-deals.
Affective Context and the Interpretation of Facial Expressions in Portrait Paintings
Authors: Mullennix John W. , Hedzik Amber , Wolfe Amanda , Amann Lauren , Breshears Bethany , Ticjak Nate
Published: February 2021

The present study examined the effects of affective context on evaluation of facial expression of emotion in portrait paintings. Pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral context photographs were presented prior to target portrait paintings. The participants’ task was to view the portrait painting and choose an emotion label that fit the subject of the painting. The results from Experiment 1 indicated that when preceded by pleasant context, the faces in the portraits were labeled as happier. When preceded by unpleasant context, they were labeled as less happy, sadder, and more fearful. In Experiment 2, the labeling effects disappeared when context photographs were presented at a subthreshold 20 ms SOA. In both experiments, context affected processing times, with times slower for pleasant context and faster for unpleasant context. The results suggest that the context effects depend on both automatic and controlled processing of affective content contained in context photographs.
Juvenile Psychopathy and Community Treatment Response in Youth Adjudicated for Sexual Offenses
Authors: Rojas Erika Y. , Olver Mark E.
Published: February 2021

The present study examined the association of juvenile psychopathy features and treatment response in a sample of 102 youth, court adjudicated for sexual offenses and followed up more than 11 years in the community. The Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV) was rated from comprehensive archival sources, along with a youth sexual offense risk assessment and treatment planning measure scored pre-and posttreatment. The PCL: YV converged with domains of sexual offense risk and change in conceptually meaningful ways, and significantly predicted nonsexual violent, general violent, and any recidivism; it did not significantly predict sexual recidivism. Higher levels of psychopathy-related personality features were significantly associated with noncompletion of youth sexual offense-specific treatment, while changes in risk were associated with decreased recidivism controlling for PCL: YV score and baseline risk at p < .10. The findings underscore the importance of intervention and support services for youth convicted of sexual offenses as well as the clinical and risk relevance of the juvenile psychopathy construct to decrease violent victimization to others.
The effects of nonlinear energy sink and piezoelectric energy harvester on aeroelastic instability of an airfoil
Authors: Fasihi Ali , Shahgholi Majid , Ghahremani Saeed
Published: February 2021

The potential of absorbing and harvesting energy from a two-degree-of-freedom airfoil using an attachment of a nonlinear energy sink and a piezoelectric energy harvester is investigated. The equations of motion of the airfoil coupled with the attachment are solved using the harmonic balance method. Solutions obtained by this method are compared to the numerical ones of the pseudo-arclength continuation method. The effects of parameters of the integrated nonlinear energy sink-piezoelectric attachment, namely, the attachment location, nonlinear energy sink mass, nonlinear energy sink damping, and nonlinear energy sink stiffness on the dynamical behavior of the airfoil system are studied for both subcritical and supercritical Hopf bifurcation cases. Analyses demonstrate that absorbing vibration and harvesting energy are profoundly affected by the nonlinear energy sink parameters and the location of the attachment.
Bursting oscillations in a slow-varying periodically excited vector field with Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation
Authors: Wu Shuqian , Bi Qinsheng
Published: February 2021

The main purpose of the article is to classify all the possible bursting oscillations in a vector field with Bogdanov–Takens bifurcation at the origin. Based on the universal unfolding of the normal form of the vector field, the topological structure in the neighborhood of the bifurcation point on the unfolding parameters is presented. Replacing one of the unfolding parameters by a slow-varying periodic exciting term, the coupling of two scales in frequency domain involves the vector field, which may lead to the bursting oscillations. According to the bifurcation analysis, we focus on three typical cases to investigate the dynamical evolution with the increase of the exciting amplitude. By introducing the transformed phase portrait, the mechanism of bursting oscillations can be presented. Three types of bifurcations, that is, fold, Hopf, and saddle on the limit cycle bifurcations may cause the alternations of the trajectory between the quiescent states and the spiking states, different combinations of which may result in different bursting attractors. Furthermore, the inertia of the movement may result in the delay effect of the bifurcation, which may lead to the disappearance of the bifurcation influence and the corresponding spiking oscillations.
A Collaboration: Connected to, Constituted by, and Comfort in the Other
Authors: Lockford Lesa , Pelias Ronald J. , Spry Tami
Published: February 2021

This essay explores our collaborative work as connective, constitutive, and comforting. Calling upon the poetic and performative, we describe our relational dynamic as a loving presence that comes together for the gifts of our collaborations. The essay ends with a reflection on our presentation at the 14th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry after Tami Spry stood in for Lesa Lockford when Lesa was unable to attend.
Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Public Support for School Integration
Authors: Carlson Deven , Bell Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

Polling data routinely indicate broad support for the concept of diverse schools, but integration initiatives—both racial and socioeconomic—regularly encounter significant opposition. We leverage a nationally representative survey experiment to provide novel evidence on public support for integration initiatives. Specifically, we present respondents with a hypothetical referendum where we provide information on two policy options for assigning students to schools: (1) a residence-based assignment option and (2) an option designed to achieve stated racial/ethnic or socioeconomic diversity targets, with respondents randomly assigned to the racial/ethnic or socioeconomic diversity option. After calculating public support and average willingness-to-pay, our results demonstrate a clear plurality of the public preferring residence-based assignment to the racial diversity initiative, but a near-even split in support for residence-based assignment and the socioeconomic integration initiative. Moreover, we find that the decline in support for race-based integration, relative to the socioeconomic diversity initiative, is entirely attributable to White and Republican respondents.
A Semi-Dominant Mutation in OsCESA9 Improves Salt Tolerance and Favors Field Straw Decay Traits by Altering Cell Wall Properties in Rice
Authors: Ye Yafeng , Wang Shuoxun , Wu Kun , Ren Yan , Jiang Hongrui , Chen Jianfeng , Tao Liangzhi , Fu Xiangdong , Liu Binmei , Wu Yuejin
Published: February 2021

Background

Cellulose synthase (CESA) mutants have potential use in straw processing due to their lower cellulose content, but almost all of the mutants exhibit defective phenotypes in plant growth and development. Balancing normal plant growth with reduced cellulose content remains a challenge, as cellulose content and normal plant growth are typically negatively correlated with one another.

Result

Here, the rice (Oryza sativa) semi-dominant brittle culm (sdbc) mutant Sdbc1, which harbors a substitution (D387N) at the first conserved aspartic acid residue of OsCESA9, exhibits lower cellulose content and reduced secondary wall thickness as well as enhanced biomass enzymatic saccharification compared with the wild type (WT). Further experiments indicated that the OsCESA9D387N mutation may compete with the wild-type OsCESA9 for interacting with OsCESA4 and OsCESA7, further forming non-functional or partially functional CSCs. The OsCESA9/OsCESA9D387N heterozygous plants increase salt tolerance through scavenging and detoxification of ROS and indirectly affecting related gene expression. They also improve rice straw return to the field due to their brittle culms and lower cellulose content without any negative effects in grain yield and lodging.

Conclusion

Hence, OsCESA9D387N allele can improve rice salt tolerance and provide the prospect of the rice straw for biofuels and bioproducts due to its improved enzymatic saccharification.
HilE is required for synergistic activation of SPI-1 gene expression in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Hamed Selwan , Shawky Riham M. , Emara Mohamed , Slauch James M. , Rao Christopher V.
Published: February 2021

Background

Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium is an intestinal pathogen capable of infecting a wide range of animals. It initiates infection by invading intestinal epithelial cells using a type III secretion system encoded withinSalmonellapathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). The SPI-1 genes are regulated by multiple interacting transcription factors. The master regulator is HilD. HilE represses SPI-1 gene expression by binding HilD and preventing it from activating its target promoters. Previous work found that acetate and nutrients synergistically induce SPI-1 gene expression. In the present study, we investigated the role of HilE, nominally a repressor of SPI-1 gene expression, in mediating this response to acetate and nutrients.

Results

HilE is necessary for activation of SPI-1 gene expression by acetate and nutrients. In mutants lackinghilE, acetate and nutrients no longer increase SPI-1 gene expression but rather repress it. This puzzling response is not due to the BarA/SirA two component system, which governs the response to acetate. To identify the mechanism, we profiled gene expression using RNAseq in the wild type and a ΔhilEmutant under different growth conditions. Analysis of these data suggested that the Rcs system, which regulates gene expression in response to envelope stress, is involved. Consistent with this hypothesis, acetate and nutrients were able to induce SPI-1 gene expression in mutants lackinghilEand the Rcs system.

Conclusions

While the exact mechanism is unknown, these results demonstrate the HilE, nominally a repressor of SPI-1 gene expression, can also function as an activator under the growth conditions investigated. Collectively, these results provide new insights regarding SPI-1 gene regulation and demonstrate that HilE is more complex than initially envisioned.
Sleepiness, sleep deprivation, quality of life, mental symptoms and perception of academic environment in medical students
Authors: Perotta Bruno , Arantes-Costa Fernanda M. , Enns Sylvia C. , Figueiro-Filho Ernesto A. , Paro Helena , Santos Itamar S. , Lorenzi-Filho Geraldo , Martins Milton A. , Tempski Patricia Z.
Published: February 2021

Background

It has been previously shown that a high percentage of medical students have sleep problems that interfere with academic performance and mental health.

Methods

To study the impact of sleep quality, daytime somnolence, and sleep deprivation on medical students, we analyzed data from a multicenter study with medical students in Brazil (22 medical schools, 1350 randomized medical students). We applied questionnaires of daytime sleepiness, quality of sleep, quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms and perception of educational environment.

Results

37.8% of medical students presented mild values of daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale - ESS) and 8.7% presented moderate/severe values. The percentage of female medical students that presented ESS values high or very high was significantly greater than male medical students (p <  0.05). Students with lower ESS scores presented significantly greater scores of quality of life and perception of educational environment and lower scores of depression and anxiety symptoms, and these relationships showed a dose-effect pattern. Medical students reporting more sleep deprivation showed significantly greater odds ratios of presenting anxiety and depression symptoms and lower odds of good quality of life or perception of educational environment.

Conclusions

There is a significant association between sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness with the perception of quality of life and educational environment in medical students.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia promoted lung cancer stem cell-like properties via enhancing Bach1 expression
Authors: Hao Shengyu , Zhu Xiaodan , Liu Zilong , Wu Xiaodan , Li Shanqun , Jiang Pan , Jiang Liyan
Published: February 2021

Background

An adverse role for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in cancer aggressiveness and mortality has recently emerged from clinical and animal studies, and the reasons have not been fully determined. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are regarded as the main cause of carcinoma metastasis. So far, the relationship between OSA and lung CSCs has not been explored.

Method

In the present study, we established an orthotopic mouse model of primary lung cancer and utilized chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) exposure to mimic OSA status.

Results

We observed that CIH endows lung cancer with greater metastatic potential, evidenced by increased tumor growth, tumor seeding, and upregulated CSC-related gene expression in the lungs. Notably, the transcription factor BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1), a key factor in responding to conditions of oxidative stress, is increased in lung cancer after CIH exposure in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, exposing lung cancer cells to CIH promoted cell proliferation, clonal diversity, induced stem-like cell marker expression, and gave rise to CSCs at a relatively higher frequency. Furthermore, the increase of mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) and CSC-marker expression induced by CIH exposure was abolished inBach1shRNA-treated lung cancer cells.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that CIH promoted lung CSC-like properties by activating mtROS, which was partially mediated by Bach1.
Construction and comprehensive characterization of an EcLDCc-CatIB set—varying linkers and aggregation inducing tags
Authors: Küsters Kira , Pohl Martina , Krauss Ulrich , Ölçücü Gizem , Albert Sandor , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Wiechert Wolfgang , Oldiges Marco
Published: February 2021

Background

In recent years, the production of inclusion bodies that retained substantial catalytic activity was demonstrated. These catalytically active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) were formed by genetic fusion of an aggregation inducing tag to a gene of interest via short linker polypeptides and overproduction of the resulting gene fusion in Escherichia coli. The resulting CatIBs are known for their high stability, easy and cost efficient production, and recyclability and thus provide an interesting alternative to conventionally immobilized enzymes.

Results

Here, we present the construction and characterization of a CatIB set of the lysine decarboxylase from Escherichia coli (EcLDCc), constructed via Golden Gate Assembly. A total of ten EcLDCc variants consisting of combinations of two linker and five aggregation inducing tag sequences were generated. A flexible Serine/Glycine (SG)- as well as a rigid Proline/Threonine (PT)-Linker were tested in combination with the artificial peptides (18AWT, L6KD and GFIL8) or the coiled-coil domains (TDoT and 3HAMP) as aggregation inducing tags. The linkers were fused to the C-terminus of the EcLDCc to form a linkage between the enzyme and the aggregation inducing tags. Comprehensive morphology and enzymatic activity analyses were performed for the ten EcLDCc-CatIB variants and a wild type EcLDCc control to identify the CatIB variant with the highest activity for the decarboxylation of l-lysine to 1,5-diaminopentane. Interestingly, all of the CatIB variants possessed at least some activity, whilst most of the combinations with the rigid PT-Linker showed the highest conversion rates. EcLDCc-PT-L6KD was identified as the best of all variants allowing a volumetric productivity of 457 g L− 1 d− 1 and a specific volumetric productivity of 256 g L− 1 d− 1 gCatIB−1. Noteworthy, wild type EcLDCc, without specific aggregation inducing tags, also partially formed CatIBs, which, however showed lower activity compared to most of the newly constructed CatIB variants (volumetric productivity: 219 g L− 1 d− 1, specific volumetric activity: 106 g L− 1 d− 1 gCatIB− 1). Furthermore, we demonstrate that microscopic analysis can serve as a tool to find CatIB producing strains and thus allow for prescreening at an early stage to save time and resources.

Conclusions

Our results clearly show that the choice of linker and aggregation inducing tag has a strong influence on the morphology and the enzymatic activity of the CatIBs. Strikingly, the linker had the most pronounced influence on these characteristics.
Targeting Nrf2 may reverse the drug resistance in ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Danjie , Hong Xiaoling , Zhao Feijie , Ci Xinxin , Zhang Songling
Published: February 2021

Background

Acquired resistance to therapeutic drugs has become an important issue in treating ovarian cancer. Studies have shown that the prevalent chemotherapy resistance (cisplatin, paclitaxel etc.) for ovarian cancer occurs partly because of decreased production of reactive oxygen species within the mitochondria of ovarian cancer cells.

Main Body

Nuclear erythroid-related factor-2 (Nrf2) mainly controls the regulation of transcription of genes through the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway and protects cells by fighting oxidative stress and defending against harmful substances. This protective effect is reflected in the promotion of tumor cell growth and their resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway may reverse drug resistance. In this review, we describe the functions of Nrf2 in drug resistance based on Nrf2-associated signaling pathways determined in previous studies.

Conclusions

Further studies on the relevant mechanisms of Nrf2 may help improve the outcomes of ovarian cancer therapy.
Needs assessment of community health workers to enhance efficient delivery of their services for community case management of malaria in Kenya
Authors: Boakye Michelle D. S. , Owek Collins J. , Oluoch Elizabeth , Atakora Sefa Bonsu , Wachira Juddy , Afrane Yaw A.
Published: February 2021

Background

Malaria continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. Community Case Management of malaria (CCMm) which is undertaken by engaging Community Health Workers (CHWs) to effectively address management of malaria cases in some endemic communities was explored in this study. The aim was to assess the needs of CHWs that would help sustain and retain their services to enhance the efficient delivery of CCMm.

Methods

Using semi-structured questionnaires, data on the needs of CHWs was gathered through a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted among study participants in five districts in western Kenya. The study participants comprised of 100 CHWs, 100 mothers of children under five years and 25 key informants made up of public health officers and clinicians involved in the CCMm. The interviews were conducted in English and Swahili or Dholuo, the local language. The recorded audio interviews were transcribed later. The analysis was done using NVivo version 7 software and transcripts were coded after which themes related to the objectives of the study were identified.

Results

All the study participants recognized the need to train and update CHWs on their work as well as remunerating them for their services to enhance efficient delivery of services. The CHWs on their part perceived the provision of gloves, rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs), lancets, cotton wool and ethanol, bins (to dispose of RDTs and lancets), together with drugs for treating clients as the essential needs to undertake CCMm in the communities. Other logistical needs and incentives mentioned by CHWs and key informants for the successful delivery of CCMm included: gumboots, raincoats, torch lights, mobile phones, means of transportation (bicycles and motorbikes), uniforms and ID cards for identification.

Conclusions

CHWs would perform tasks better and their services retained for a sustainable CCMm if: properly incentivized; offered refresher trainings (and updates) on malaria; and equipped with the requisite tools identified in this study.
Implementation science research for the scale-up of evidence-based interventions for sickle cell disease in africa: a commentary
Authors: Gyamfi Joyce , Ojo Temitope , Iwelunmor Juliet , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Ryan Nessa , Diawara Amy , Nnodu Obiageli , Wonkam Ambroise , Royal Charmaine , Peprah Emmanuel
Published: February 2021

Background

The burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is greatest among African nations. Effective scalability of evidence-based interventions (e.g., newborn screening, health education, prophylaxis for infection, optimal nutrition and hydration, hydroxyurea therapy, blood transfusions, and transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening) is urgently needed particularly in these settings for disease management. However, Africa is constrained by limited resources and the lack of capacity to conduct implementation science research for proper understanding of context, and assessment of barriers and facilitators to the uptake and scalability of evidence-based interventions (EBI) for SCD management.

Main Body

We outline implementation science approaches to embed EBI for SCD within the African context and highlight key implementation research programs for SCD management. Building implementation research capacity will meet the major need of developing effective life-long and accessible locally-tailored interventions for patients with SCD in Africa.

Conclusion

This commentary communicates the importance of the application of implementation science methodology to scale-up evidence-based interventions for the management of SCD in order to reduce pain, prevent other morbidities and premature death experienced by people with SCD in Africa, and improve their overall quality of life.