bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adversarial alignment enables competing models to engage in cooperative theory building toward cumulative science
Authors: Ellemers Naomi , Fiske Susan T. , Abele Andrea E. , Koch Alex , Yzerbyt Vincent
Published: March 2020

Crises in science concern not only methods, statistics, and results but also, theory development. Beyond the indispensable refinement of tools and procedures, resolving crises would also benefit from a deeper understanding of the concepts and processes guiding research. Usually, theories compete, and some lose, incentivizing destruction of seemingly opposing views. This does not necessarily contribute to accumulating insights, and it may incur collateral damage (e.g., impairing cognitive processes and collegial relations). To develop a more constructive model, we built on adversarial collaboration, which integrates incompatible results into agreed-on new empirical research to test competing hypotheses [D. Kahneman,
Am. Psychol.
58, 723–730 (2003)]. Applying theory and evidence from the behavioral sciences, we address the group dynamic complexities of adversarial interactions between scientists. We illustrate the added value of considering these in an “adversarial alignment” that addressed competing conceptual frameworks from five different theories of social evaluation. Negotiating a joint framework required two preconditions and several guidelines. First, we reframed our interactions from competitive rivalry to cooperative pursuit of a joint goal, and second, we assumed scientific competence and good intentions, enabling cooperation toward that goal. Then, we applied five rules for successful multiparty negotiations: 1) leveling the playing field, 2) capitalizing on curiosity, 3) producing measurable progress, 4) working toward mutual gain, and 5) being aware of the downside alternative. Together, these guidelines can encourage others to create conditions that allow for theoretical alignments and develop cumulative science.
NETosis proceeds by cytoskeleton and endomembrane disassembly and PAD4-mediated chromatin decondensation and nuclear envelope rupture
Authors: Thiam Hawa Racine , Wong Siu Ling , Qiu Rong , Kittisopikul Mark , Vahabikashi Amir , Goldman Anne E. , Goldman Robert D. , Wagner Denisa D. , Waterman Clare M.
Published: March 2020

Significance

Neutrophils are white blood cells specialized as the first line of host defense in the immune system. One way they protect organisms is through NETosis, in which they expel their DNA to form a web-like trap that ensnares pathogens and promotes clotting. However, NETs also mediate sterile inflammation, causing damage to the body. We used high-resolution live-cell microscopy to characterize the timing of dynamic cellular events leading to NETosis in human and mouse neutrophils and a neutrophil-like cell line. We discovered that NETosis proceeds by a stepwise sequence of cellular events that is conserved across species and requires the activity of the PAD4 enzyme for DNA to be released from the nucleus and cell membrane.
Functional cooperation of the glycine synthase-reductase and Wood–Ljungdahl pathways for autotrophic growth of
Clostridium drakei
Authors: Song Yoseb , Lee Jin Soo , Shin Jongoh , Lee Gyu Min , Jin Sangrak , Kang Seulgi , Lee Jung-Kul , Kim Dong Rip , Lee Eun Yeol , Kim Sun Chang , Cho Suhyung , Kim Donghyuk , Cho Byung-Kwan
Published: March 2020

Among CO
2
-fixing metabolic pathways in nature, the linear Wood–Ljungdahl pathway (WLP) in phylogenetically diverse acetate-forming acetogens comprises the most energetically efficient pathway, requires the least number of reactions, and converts CO
2
to formate and then into acetyl-CoA. Despite two genes encoding glycine synthase being well-conserved in WLP gene clusters, the functional role of glycine synthase under autotrophic growth conditions has remained uncertain. Here, using the reconstructed genome-scale metabolic model
i
SL771 based on the completed genome sequence, transcriptomics,
13
C isotope-based metabolite-tracing experiments, biochemical assays, and heterologous expression of the pathway in another acetogen, we discovered that the WLP and the glycine synthase pathway are functionally interconnected to fix CO
2
, subsequently converting CO
2
into acetyl-CoA, acetyl-phosphate, and serine. Moreover, the functional cooperation of the pathways enhances CO
2
consumption and cellular growth rates via bypassing reducing power required reactions for cellular metabolism during autotrophic growth of acetogens.
CCAP regulates feeding behavior via the NPF pathway inDrosophilaadults
Authors: Williams Michael J. , Akram Mehwish , Barkauskaite Deimante , Patil Sourabh , Kotsidou Eirini , Kheder Sania , Vitale Giovanni , Filaferro Monica , Blemings Simone W. , Maestri Giulia , Hazim Noor , Vergoni Anna Valeria , Schiöth Helgi B.
Published: March 2020

Significance

The ability of an animal to sense what to eat, such as carbohydrate-rich food, as well as to reject food that may be disadvantageous or even deadly is essential for survival and adaptation to metabolic demands compounded by continuous changes in the environment. Here we investigate evolutionarily conserved pathways central for either choosing or rejecting nutrients based on neuronal system interactions between internal signals and the external milieu. These pathways are likely to be necessary for the ability to perform quick adaptation to the immediate conditions and in general provide clues to the structure of the fly’s internal network governing nutrient sensing.
Environmental reservoir dynamics predict global infection patterns and population impacts for the fungal disease white-nose syndrome
Authors: Hoyt Joseph R. , Langwig Kate E. , Sun Keping , Parise Katy L. , Li Aoqiang , Wang Yujuan , Huang Xiaobin , Worledge Lisa , Miller Helen , White J. Paul , Kaarakka Heather M. , Redell Jennifer A. , Görföl Tamás , Boldogh Sándor András , Fukui Dai , Sakuyama Muneki , Yachimori Syuuji , Sato Akiyoshi , Dalannast Munkhnast , Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold , Batbayar Nyambayar , Yovel Yossi , Amichai Eran , Natradze Ioseb , Frick Winifred F. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Feng Jiang , Kilpatrick A. Marm
Published: March 2020

Disease outbreaks and pathogen introductions can have significant effects on host populations, and the ability of pathogens to persist in the environment can exacerbate disease impacts by fueling sustained transmission, seasonal epidemics, and repeated spillover events. While theory suggests that the presence of an environmental reservoir increases the risk of host declines and threat of extinction, the influence of reservoir dynamics on transmission and population impacts remains poorly described. Here we show that the extent of the environmental reservoir explains broad patterns of host infection and the severity of disease impacts of a virulent pathogen. We examined reservoir and host infection dynamics and the resulting impacts of
Pseudogymnoascus destructans
, the fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome, in 39 species of bats at 101 sites across the globe. Lower levels of pathogen in the environment consistently corresponded to delayed infection of hosts, fewer and less severe infections, and reduced population impacts. In contrast, an extensive and persistent environmental reservoir led to early and widespread infections and severe population declines. These results suggest that continental differences in the persistence or decay of
P. destructans
in the environment altered infection patterns in bats and influenced whether host populations were stable or experienced severe declines from this disease. Quantifying the impact of the environmental reservoir on disease dynamics can provide specific targets for reducing pathogen levels in the environment to prevent or control future epidemics.
A pair of esterases from a commensal gut bacterium remove acetylations from all positions on complex β-mannans
Authors: Michalak Leszek , La Rosa Sabina Leanti , Leivers Shaun , Lindstad Lars Jordhøy , Røhr Åsmund Kjendseth , Lillelund Aachmann Finn , Westereng Bjørge
Published: March 2020

β-mannans and xylans are important components of the plant cell wall and they are acetylated to be protected from degradation by glycoside hydrolases. β-mannans are widely present in human and animal diets as fiber from leguminous plants and as thickeners and stabilizers in processed foods. There are many fully characterized acetylxylan esterases (AcXEs); however, the enzymes deacetylating mannans are less understood. Here we present two carbohydrate esterases,
Ri
CE2 and
Ri
CE17, from the Firmicute
Roseburia intestinalis
, which together deacetylate complex galactoglucomannan (GGM). The three-dimensional (3D) structure of
Ri
CE17 with a mannopentaose in the active site shows that the CBM35 domain of
Ri
CE17 forms a confined complex, where the axially oriented C2-hydroxyl of a mannose residue points toward the Ser41 of the catalytic triad. Cavities on the
Ri
CE17 surface may accept galactosylations at the C6 positions of mannose adjacent to the mannose residue being deacetylated (subsite −1 and +1). In-depth characterization of the two enzymes using time-resolved NMR, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and mass spectrometry demonstrates that they work in a complementary manner.
Ri
CE17 exclusively removes the axially oriented 2-
O
-acetylations on any mannose residue in an oligosaccharide, including double acetylated mannoses, while the
Ri
CE2 is active on 3-
O-
, 4-
O-
, and 6-
O-
acetylations. Activity of
Ri
CE2 is dependent on
Ri
CE17 removing 2-
O
-acetylations from double acetylated mannose. Furthermore, transacetylation of oligosaccharides with the 2-
O
-specific
Ri
CE17 provided insight into how temperature and pH affects acetyl migration on manno-oligosaccharides.
A key mammalian cholesterol synthesis enzyme, squalene monooxygenase, is allosterically stabilized by its substrate
Authors: Yoshioka Hiromasa , Coates Hudson W. , Chua Ngee Kiat , Hashimoto Yuichi , Brown Andrew J. , Ohgane Kenji
Published: March 2020

Cholesterol biosynthesis is a high-cost process and, therefore, tightly regulated by both transcriptional and posttranslational negative feedback mechanisms in response to the level of cellular cholesterol. Squalene monooxygenase (SM, also known as squalene epoxidase or SQLE) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway and catalyzes epoxidation of squalene. The stability of SM is negatively regulated by cholesterol via its N-terminal regulatory domain (SM-N100). In this study, using a SM-luciferase fusion reporter cell line, we performed a chemical genetics screen that identified inhibitors of SM itself as up-regulators of SM. This effect was mediated through the SM-N100 region, competed with cholesterol-accelerated degradation, and required the E3 ubiquitin ligase MARCH6. However, up-regulation was not observed with statins, well-established cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitors, and this pointed to the presence of another mechanism other than reduced cholesterol synthesis. Further analyses revealed that squalene accumulation upon treatment with the SM inhibitor was responsible for the up-regulatory effect. Using photoaffinity labeling, we demonstrated that squalene directly bound to the N100 region, thereby reducing interaction with and ubiquitination by MARCH6. Our findings suggest that SM senses squalene via its N100 domain to increase its metabolic capacity, highlighting squalene as a feedforward factor for the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway.
The intelligent knife (iKnife) and its intraoperative diagnostic advantage for the treatment of cervical disease
Authors: Tzafetas Menelaos , Mitra Anita , Paraskevaidi Maria , Bodai Zsolt , Kalliala Ilkka , Bowden Sarah , Lathouras Konstantinos , Rosini Francesca , Szasz Marcell , Savage Adele , Manoli Eftychios , Balog Julia , McKenzie James , Lyons Deirdre , Bennett Phillip , MacIntyre David , Ghaem-Maghami Sadaf , Takats Zoltan , Kyrgiou Maria
Published: March 2020

Clearance of surgical margins in cervical cancer prevents the need for adjuvant chemoradiation and allows fertility preservation. In this study, we determined the capacity of the rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS), also known as intelligent knife (iKnife), to discriminate between healthy, preinvasive, and invasive cervical tissue. Cervical tissue samples were collected from women with healthy, human papilloma virus (HPV) ± cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), or cervical cancer. A handheld diathermy device generated surgical aerosol, which was transferred into a mass spectrometer for subsequent chemical analysis. Combination of principal component and linear discriminant analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator was employed to study the spectral differences between groups. Significance of discriminatory
m/z
features was tested using univariate statistics and tandem MS performed to elucidate the structure of the significant peaks allowing separation of the two classes. We analyzed 87 samples (normal = 16, HPV ± CIN = 50, cancer = 21 patients). The iKnife discriminated with 100% accuracy normal (100%) vs. HPV ± CIN (100%) vs. cancer (100%) when compared to histology as the gold standard. When comparing normal vs. cancer samples, the accuracy was 100% with a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 83.9 to 100) and specificity 100% (79.4 to 100). Univariate analysis revealed significant MS peaks in the cancer-to-normal separation belonging to various classes of complex lipids. The iKnife discriminates healthy from premalignant and invasive cervical lesions with high accuracy and can improve oncological outcomes and fertility preservation of women treated surgically for cervical cancer. Larger in vivo research cohorts are required to validate these findings.
Evidence for a pathogenic role of extrafollicular, IL-10–producing CCR6
+
B helper T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Facciotti F. , Larghi P. , Bosotti R. , Vasco C. , Gagliani N. , Cordiglieri C. , Mazzara S. , Ranzani V. , Rottoli E. , Curti S. , Penatti A. , Karnani B. , Kobayashi Y. , Crosti M. , Bombaci M. , van Hamburg J. P. , Rossetti G. , Gualtierotti R. , Gerosa M. , Gatti S. , Torretta S. , Pignataro L. , Tas S. W. , Abrignani S. , Pagani M. , Grassi F. , Meroni P. L. , Flavell R. A. , Geginat J.
Published: March 2020

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is an antiinflammatory cytokine, but also promotes B cell responses and plays a pathogenic role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CD4
+
CCR6
+
IL-7R
+
T cells from human tonsils produced IL-10 following stimulation by naïve B cells, which promoted B cell immunoglobulin G (IgG) production. These tonsillar CCR6
+
B helper T cells were phenotypically distinct from follicular helper T (T
FH
) cells and lacked BCL6 expression. In peripheral blood, a CCR6
+
T cell population with similar characteristics was identified, which lacked Th17- and T
FH
-associated gene signatures and differentiation-associated surface markers. CD4
+
CCR6
+
T cells expressing IL-10, but not IL-17, were also detectable in the spleens of cytokine reporter mice. They provided help for IgG production in vivo, and expanded systemically in pristane-induced lupus-like disease. In SLE patients, CD4
+
CCR6
+
IL-7R
+
T cells were associated with the presence of pathogenic anti-dsDNA (double-stranded DNA) antibodies, and provided spontaneous help for autoantibody production ex vivo. Strikingly, IL-10–producing CCR6
+
T cells were highly abundant in lymph nodes of SLE patients, and colocalized with B cells at the margins of follicles. In conclusion, we identified a previously uncharacterized population of extrafollicular B helper T cells, which produced IL-10 and could play a prominent pathogenic role in SLE.
Targeted inhibition of gut bacterial β-glucuronidase activity enhances anticancer drug efficacy
Authors: Bhatt Aadra P. , Pellock Samuel J. , Biernat Kristen A. , Walton William G. , Wallace Bret D. , Creekmore Benjamin C. , Letertre Marine M. , Swann Jonathan R. , Wilson Ian D. , Roques Jose R. , Darr David B. , Bailey Sean T. , Montgomery Stephanie A. , Roach Jeffrey M. , Azcarate-Peril M. Andrea , Sartor R. Balfour , Gharaibeh Raad Z. , Bultman Scott J. , Redinbo Matthew R.
Published: March 2020

Irinotecan treats a range of solid tumors, but its effectiveness is severely limited by gastrointestinal (GI) tract toxicity caused by gut bacterial β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes. Targeted bacterial GUS inhibitors have been shown to partially alleviate irinotecan-induced GI tract damage and resultant diarrhea in mice. Here, we unravel the mechanistic basis for GI protection by gut microbial GUS inhibitors using in vivo models. We use in vitro, in fimo, and in vivo models to determine whether GUS inhibition alters the anticancer efficacy of irinotecan. We demonstrate that a single dose of irinotecan increases GI bacterial GUS activity in 1 d and reduces intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in 5 d, both blocked by a single dose of a GUS inhibitor. In a tumor xenograft model, GUS inhibition prevents intestinal toxicity and maintains the antitumor efficacy of irinotecan. Remarkably, GUS inhibitor also effectively blocks the striking irinotecan-induced bloom of Enterobacteriaceae in immune-deficient mice. In a genetically engineered mouse model of cancer, GUS inhibition alleviates gut damage, improves survival, and does not alter gut microbial composition; however, by allowing dose intensification, it dramatically improves irinotecan’s effectiveness, reducing tumors to a fraction of that achieved by irinotecan alone, while simultaneously promoting epithelial regeneration. These results indicate that targeted gut microbial enzyme inhibitors can improve cancer chemotherapeutic outcomes by protecting the gut epithelium from microbial dysbiosis and proliferative crypt damage.
Parcellation of the striatal complex into dorsal and ventral districts
Authors: Chen Shih-Yun , Lu Kuan-Ming , Ko Hsin-An , Huang Ting-Hao , Hao Janice Hsin-Jou , Yan Yu-Ting , Chang Sunny Li-Yun , Evans Sylvia M. , Liu Fu-Chin
Published: March 2020

Significance

The striatum of the basal ganglia is divided into dorsal and ventral regions. The dorsal striatum regulates movement and cognition, whereas the ventral striatum modulates reward and emotion. The importance of striatal divisions also is reflected in neurological diseases as the dorsal and ventral striata are differentially targeted by Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and drug addiction disorders. Despite the significance of these neurological differences, the neural mechanisms underlying the division of the striatum into the dorsal and ventral districts remain elusive. Here, we have identified two key genes
Nolz-1
and
Dlx1/2
, and the interactions between
Nolz-1
and
Dlx1/2
genes are critical for the developmental processes by which the striatum is divided into dorsal and ventral districts.
Loss of Nef-mediated CD3 down-regulation in the HIV-1 lineage increases viral infectivity and spread
Authors: Mesner Dejan , Hotter Dominik , Kirchhoff Frank , Jolly Clare
Published: March 2020

Significance

Lentiviruses encode accessory proteins to manipulate their host cells in order to efficiently replicate and evade antiviral defenses. Interestingly, most lentiviral Nefs down-regulate CD3 from the surface of infected T cells to perturb immune responses. However, for reasons that are incompletely understood, HIV-1 and its simian immunodeficiency virus ancestors lack this function. Here, we report that engineering HIV-1 for Nef-mediated down-regulation of CD3 reduces Env-dependent HIV-1 infectivity, resulting in less efficient cell-to-cell spread and replication. Our data suggest that HIV-1 may have evolved to lose the CD3 down-modulation function of Nef in order to allow T cell activation and to boost viral replication, possibly at the cost of less effective immune evasion and increased pathogenicity.
Inhibition mechanisms of AcrF9, AcrF8, and AcrF6 against type I-F CRISPR–Cas complex revealed by cryo-EM
Authors: Zhang Kaiming , Wang Shuo , Li Shanshan , Zhu Yuwei , Pintilie Grigore D. , Mou Tung-Chung , Schmid Michael F. , Huang Zhiwei , Chiu Wah
Published: March 2020

Prokaryotes and viruses have fought a long battle against each other. Prokaryotes use CRISPR–Cas-mediated adaptive immunity, while conversely, viruses evolve multiple anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins to defeat these CRISPR–Cas systems. The type I-F CRISPR–Cas system in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
requires the crRNA-guided surveillance complex (Csy complex) to recognize the invading DNA. Although some Acr proteins against the Csy complex have been reported, other relevant Acr proteins still need studies to understand their mechanisms. Here, we obtain three structures of previously unresolved Acr proteins (AcrF9, AcrF8, and AcrF6) bound to the Csy complex using electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM), with resolution at 2.57 Å, 3.42 Å, and 3.15 Å, respectively. The 2.57-Å structure reveals fine details for each molecular component within the Csy complex as well as the direct and water-mediated interactions between proteins and CRISPR RNA (crRNA). Our structures also show unambiguously how these Acr proteins bind differently to the Csy complex. AcrF9 binds to key DNA-binding sites on the Csy spiral backbone. AcrF6 binds at the junction between Cas7.6f and Cas8f, which is critical for DNA duplex splitting. AcrF8 binds to a distinct position on the Csy spiral backbone and forms interactions with crRNA, which has not been seen in other Acr proteins against the Csy complex. Our structure-guided mutagenesis and biochemistry experiments further support the anti-CRISPR mechanisms of these Acr proteins. Our findings support the convergent consequence of inhibiting degradation of invading DNA by these Acr proteins, albeit with different modes of interactions with the type I-F CRISPR–Cas system.
The meaning of the Persian object marker rā
Authors: Jasbi Masoud
Published: March 2020

The Persian object marker rā is called many things, among them: marker of specificity (Karimi 1990), definiteness (Mahootian 1997), secondary topics (Dabir-Moghaddam 1992), and presuppositions (Ghomeshi 1996). These accounts capture the core of what rā is, yet also include a lot of what rā is not. I report novel examples that show rā is not an (exclusive) marker of specific or definite referents. It is also not an (exclusive) marker of (secondary) topics. Instead, rā’s core contribution is something shared by all these accounts: old or presupposed information. I show that the information presupposed by rā is an existence implication. A marked object like sandali-ro (“chair”-rā) implies that there is one or more chairs in the conversational context. This account captures several novel observations on the distribution of rā such as its optional presence on proper names in some contexts. I provide a formal and compositional analysis of simple Persian sentences with definite and indefinite objects.
The Ezafe construction revisited
Authors: Larson Richard K. , Samiian Vida
Published: March 2020

This chapter addresses the nature, distribution and function of the Ezafe morpheme, a distinguishing grammatical feature of many of the Iranian languages. We review three main analyses advanced in the wide literature on the subject: semantic, morphological, and syntactic. We argue that the syntactic account of Ezafe is the most promising, both in its empirical reach, and explanatory power. Looking at an exhaustive range of data from Iranian Persian (iPersian) and other Iranian languages, we note that Ezafe occurs between nominal elements in the NP, PP, AP, and QPs. Following case theory (Chomsky 1981), we propose that Ezafe satisfies a licensing requirement in the following phrase, similar to ‘of’ in English. We then consider in detail the implications of this theory for the occurrence of Ezafe before PPs in iPersian and before finite and nonfinite complement clauses in iPerisan and Kurdish. Finally, we examine the occurrence of Ezafe in Zazaki ‘double Ezafe constructions’ and in Caspian languages showing the so-called ‘Reverse Ezafe construction’ in light of the case-based analysis.
Quantitative meter in Persian folk songs and pop lyrics
Authors: Mahdavi Mazdeh Mohsen
Published: March 2020

This chapter argues that, contrary to what most recent scholarly works assume, the metrical system used in Persian folk songs and pop lyrics is quantitative and follows the same general principles as Classical Persian metrics. I propose that the apparent differences between the two systems originate primarily from the availability of a process of optional vowel shortening in the scansion of lines that are composed in colloquial Persian. In fact, it is mainly the phonological differences between the colloquial and formal registers of Persian, rather than purely metrical differences, that result in the split observed between these two poetic traditions. In addition to optional vowel shortening, I describe several minor deviations in these songs from the requirements of Classical Persian metrics, showing that these deviations are also systematic and that studying them can help gain a deeper understanding of Persian metrics. Finally, I present corpus data to support these proposals.
The first biolinguist?
Authors: Anderson Stephen R.
Published: March 2020

In 1930s Germany, Georg Schwidetzky (1875–1952) produced several works attempting to derive modern human languages by reconstruction from the vocalizations of non-human primates. This work was suppressed by other biologists under the Third Reich, not just because both the biology and the linguistics were ridiculously bad, but because Schwidetzky’s views on the origin of races were in conflict with Nazi ideology. While almost comically wrong-headed, there are nonetheless a few parallels between this project and some modern thought about the evolution of language. On the one hand, Schwidetzky stressed the need to think about the evolution of human language in terms of the biological evolution of our species, a branch ofNaturwissenschaft, and not a purely humanistic activity,Geisteswissenschaft, as opinion among German linguists of the time saw it. Indeed, he was probably the first to characterize his agenda as the development ofBiolinguistik. On the other hand, his attempt to maintain continuity between human language and the communicative vocalizations of non-humans fails to take into account the unique, species-specific character of human language.
Transcriptome analysis of two soybean cultivars identifies an aluminum respon-sive antioxidant enzyme GmCAT1
Authors: Li Weiyu , Sun Yunjin , Wang Bo , Xie Hao , Wang Jingxuan , Nan Zhangjie
Published: March 2020

This study investigated the antioxidant defense system involved in the tolerance of soybean (Glycine max) to aluminum (Al) stress. Physiological assays showed that the amount of superoxide free radicals (O2  −), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly lower in an Al-resistant soybean cultivar (cv. PI416937) than in an Al-sensitive soybean cultivar (cv. Huachun18). Comparative analysis of microarray data from both genotypes following Al-stress treatment revealed that the expression of a series of antioxidant enzymes genes was induced in the Al-resistant cultivar. The quantitative real time-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay showed that the transcript levels of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes, including GmCAT1, GmPOD1, GmGST1, GmAPX, GmGSH1, and GmSOD, were higher in the Al-resistant cultivar than in the Al-sensitive cultivar in Al-stress conditions. Furthermore, GmCAT1-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants had improved tolerance to Al-stress and lower O2  −, H2O2, and MDA contents than wild-type plants. Therefore, providing evidence that the antioxidant defense system is essential for Al tolerance in soybean.

Abbreviations

Al: aluminum; O2  −: superoxide free radicals; ROS: reactive oxygen species; H2O2: hydrogen peroxide; MDA: malondialdehyde; qRT-PCR: quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; GO: gene ontology; WT: wild type; MS medium: Murashige and Skoog medium
Ethiopia’s new foreign policy challenges: scope for India’s engagement
Authors: Manickam Venkataraman
Published: March 2020

Ethiopia is witnessing new twists and turns both in its domestic and foreign policy domain of late with the incumbent government in power adopting political and economic reforms aimed at fostering changes to bring about development. This has invariably provided an opportunity for India to consolidate its relationship with Ethiopia further. The new domestic political and economic reforms and the friendly gestures that the present government under Abiy Ahmed has made with its neighbors has drawn the attention of the international community to the extent of awarding him with Nobel Peace Prize. Such reform measures of Ethiopia have given India with wide scope to engage itself constructively and extend political and economic support in areas where both countries stand to gain. India's active engagement with Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular is all the more important given the China factor that has been competing with other countries of the region. This paper describes the domestic political developments in Ethiopia during the post Cold War era and its struggle to maintain the intricate ethnic balance that has characterized its nation-building process by tracing it from the days of King Haile Selassie I. It further analyzes the steps taken by the government to remove obstacles to peace and development through adopting economic liberalization measures and foreign policy changes. These are discussed in a chronological manner starting with a conceptual framework and using predominantly secondary sources and relying on personal observations.
Optimal mass of the arm segments in throwing: A two‐dimensional computer simulation study
Authors: Fasbender Patrick , Korff Thomas J. , Baltzopoulos Vassilios B. , Linthorne Nicholas P.
Published: March 2020

Producing a high release speed is important in throwing sports such as baseball and the javelin throw. Athletes in throwing sports might be able to achieve a greater throwing speed by improving the effectiveness of the kinetic chain. In this study a two‐dimensional computer simulation model of overarm throwing was used to examine the effect of changes in forearm mass and upper arm mass on the release speed of a lightweight (58 g) projectile. The simulations showed that increasing the mass of the forearm decreases release speed, whereas increasing the mass of the upper arm initially increases release speed. For a given forearm mass there is an optimal upper arm mass that produces the greatest release speed. However, the optimal upper arm mass (5–6 kg) is substantially greater than that of an average adult (2.1 kg). These results suggest that athletes might be able to throw faster if they had a stronger tapering of segment mass along the length of their arm. A stronger taper could be readily achieved by attaching weights to the upper arm or by using hypertrophy training to increase the mass of the upper arm. High‐speed overarm throwing is a complex three‐dimensional movement and this study was a preliminary investigation into the effect of arm segment mass on throwing performance. Further simulation studies using three‐dimensional throwing models are needed to generate more accurate insights, and the predictions of the simulation studies should be compared to data from experimental intervention studies of throwing sports.
Predicting performance at the group‐phase and knockout‐phase of the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Authors: Bennett Mark , Bezodis Neil E. , Shearer David A. , Kilduff Liam P.
Published: March 2020

The primary aim of this paper was to produce a model that predicts outcome in the group‐phase of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and to determine the relevance and importance of performance indicators (PIs) that are significant in predicting outcome. A secondary aim investigated whether this model accurately predicted match outcome in the knockout‐phase of the competition. Data was the PIs from the 40 group‐phase games of the 2015 RWC. Given the binary outcome (win/lose), a random forest classification model was built using the data sets. The outcome of the knockout‐phase was predicted using this model and accuracy of prediction of the model from the group‐phase. The model indicated that thirteen PIs were significant in predicting match outcome in the group‐phase and provided accurate prediction of match outcome in the knockout‐phase. These PIs were tackle‐ratio, clean breaks, average carry, lineouts won, penalties conceded, missed tackles, lineouts won in the opposition 22, defenders beaten, metres carried, kicks from hand, lineout success, penalties in opposition 22 m and scrums won. For the group‐phase matches tackle ratio, clean breaks and average carry were accurate standalone predictors of match outcome and respectively predicted 75%, 70% and 73% of match outcomes. The model based on the group‐phase predicted correctly 7 from 8 (87.5%) knockout‐phase matches. In the knockout‐phase clean breaks predicted 7 from 8 outcomes, whilst tackle ratio and average carry predicted 6 from 8 outcomes.
Multi-Δt 3D-PTV based on Reynolds decomposition
Authors: Saredi Edoardo , Sciacchitano Andrea , Scarano Fulvio
Published: March 2020

A novel approach is investigated to extend the range of measurable velocities by 3D-PTV systems. The method is specifically conceived for robotic volumetric PTV measurements, but it has applications for other similar techniques. The multi-Δt method relies upon combining the information from two or more sets of double-frame images with pulse separation of different time duration. Measurements with a short time separation yield a robust particle velocity field estimation with a higher percentage of valid vectors, yet a low measurement precision. Conversely, measurements with longer time separation potentially offer a higher measurement precision but suffer from an increased probability of spurious particle pairing. Reynolds decomposition is used to combine the two (dual-Δt) sets where a predictor for the mean particle displacement and its statistical dispersion is used to pair particle recordings from a longer time separation. For this reason, this method is aimed at the analysis of turbulent flows where the Reynolds decomposition is meaningful (e.g. turbulent flows with steady/quasi-steady boundary conditions). The extent of the search region is selected dynamically, based on the estimate of the velocity fluctuations from the short time separation evaluation. A more advanced variant of the algorithm contemplates the progressive increase of the pulse separation (multi-Δt) until the expected dispersion of data due to turbulent fluctuations eventually exceeds the distance between neighbouring particles.

Flow measurements in the near wake of a truncated cylinder obstacle and of an Ahmed body are carried out to examine the performance of the proposed method. Reference data is taken from time-resolved multi-frame analysis based on the Shake-The-Box (STB) algorithm. The two experiments differ for the measurement principle used: the first one is conducted with a tomographic-like system (large aperture), whereas the latter uses coaxial volumetric velocimetry. The rate of correct pairing as well as the velocity dynamic range dependence upon the choice of the time separation are monitored and discussed. The results compare favourably with the STB analysis, indicating that the measurement of the time-average velocity field can be based on dual-Δt 3D-PTV measurements removing the constraint of time-resolved particle motion recording.
Slice NEQ and system DQE to assess CT imaging performance
Authors: Monnin P , Viry A , Verdun F R , Racine D
Published: March 2020

The standard Fourier metrics used for assessing image quality in computed tomography (CT) use a planar (2D) formulation of the noise equivalent quanta (NEQ) without a specific concept to manage the influence of longitudinal resolution variations, thus create a bias in the comparison of image quality for different reconstructed slice thicknesses. For this work, we designed a ‘slice NEQ’ that takes the longitudinal resolution into account and provides a volumetric indication of the scanner imaging performance. We also developed a specific formulation for the system DQE at the CT isocentre. A cylindrical water phantom with three different inserts for three contrast levels (−100, 120 and 1000 HU) was used for the task-based transfer functions (TTF) and noise power spectra (NPS) measurements. The longitudinal TTF was measured using the point source of the Catphan® 600 phantom. Images of the phantoms were acquired on two scanners (GE Discovery 750 HD and Siemens SOMATOM Force) and reconstructed using different slice thicknesses between 1 and 5 mm and algorithms (FBP for both systems, ASIR 50 and ASIR-V 50 for the GE). The slice NEQ correctly compared the imaging performance for different longitudinal resolutions whereas the 2D NEQ increased proportionally with the reconstructed slice thickness. The system DQE peaked at 0.70 (at 0.1 mm−1) for the Siemens and at 0.50 (at 0.1 mm−1) for the GE for FBP reconstructions. The validity of these Fourier-based metrics was restricted to a limited range of contrast due to nonlinearities introduced when dealing with iterative reconstructions (IR).
Medium-assisted van der Waals dispersion interactions involving chiral molecules
Authors: Safari Hassan , Barcellona Pablo , Buhmann Stefan Yoshi , Salam A
Published: March 2020

The van der Waals dispersion interaction between two chiral molecules in the presence of arbitrary magnetoelectric media is derived using perturbation theory. To be general, the molecular polarisabilities are assumed to be of electric, paramagnetic and diamagnetic natures, and the material environment is considered to possess a chiral electromagnetic response. The derived expressions of electric dipole polarisable–chiral, magnetic dipole susceptible–chiral, and diamagnetic susceptible–chiral, and chiral–chiral interaction potentials when added to the previously obtained contributions in the literature, form a complete set of dispersion interaction formulas. We present them in a unified form making use of electric–magnetic duality. As an application, the case of two anisotropic molecules embedded in a bulk magnetoelectric medium is considered, where we derive the retarded and non-retarded limits with respect to intermolecular distance.
Development of photocatalytic degradation and kinetic study for imidazolium based ionic liquids in Fe-Cu/TiO2-AC system
Authors: Farwizah Shahhiran Aina , Mahirah Ramli Raihan , Fatimah Mohd Zaid Hayyiratul
Published: March 2020

Ionic Liquids (ILs) are already recognized by the chemical industry as they possess a wide spectrum of physical and chemical properties (solubility, polarity, viscosity or solvent miscibility). However, a release of ILs from industrial processes into aquatic environments may lead to water pollution, because of their high solubilities in water. Due to these reasons, this work is conducted to investigate the photodegradation on ILs structure varies in alkyl chain length and anion group. The photocatalytic degradation was conducted based on fixed parameter optimized which includes pH = 6, [photocatalyst] = 1g/L, [ILo] = 0.11 mM and [H2O2] = 0.75 ml/L. The reaction for emimCl follows zero order whereas both bmimCl and bmimBF4 follow the first order reaction.
The association of delirium severity with patient and health system outcomes in hospitalised patients: a systematic review
Authors: Rosgen Brianna K , Krewulak Karla D , Stelfox Henry T , Ely E Wesley , Davidson Judy E , Fiest Kirsten M
Published: March 2020

Background

delirium is an acute state of confusion that affects >20% of hospitalised patients. Recent literature indicates that more severe delirium may lead to worse patient outcomes and health system outcomes, such as increased mortality, cognitive impairment and length of stay (LOS).

Methods

using systematic review methodology, we summarised associations between delirium severity and patient or health system outcomes in hospitalised adults. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus databases with no restrictions, from inception to 25 October 2018. We included original observational research conducted in hospitalised adults that reported on associations between delirium severity and patient or health system outcomes. Quality of included articles was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The level of evidence was quantified based on the consistency of findings and quality of studies reporting on each outcome.

Results

we included 20 articles evaluating associations that reported: mortality (n = 11), cognitive ability (n = 3), functional ability (n = 3), patient distress (n = 1), quality of life (n = 1), hospital LOS (n = 4), intensive care unit (ICU) LOS (n = 2) and discharge home (n = 2). There was strong-level evidence that delirium severity was associated with increased ICU LOS and a lower proportion of patients discharged home. There was inconclusive evidence for associations between delirium severity and mortality, hospital LOS, functional ability, cognitive ability, patient distress and quality of life.

Conclusion

delirium severity is associated with increased ICU LOS and a lower proportion of patients discharged home. Delirium severity may be a useful adjunct to existing delirium screening to determine the burden to health care system resources.
Invited Commentary: Linking Job Security and Mental Health—Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Burgard Sarah
Published: March 2020

Research in the social and health sciences has linked job insecurity to poorer mental health but relies on observational data and faces challenges of causal inference. LaMontagne et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(2):207–215) innovate by using both within-person fixed-effects and random-effects regression to analyze data from 14 annual waves of an Australian survey spanning 2002–2015. Using this more rigorous design, they find that improvements in perceived job insecurity were associated with improvements in Mental Health Inventory–5 scores in a large, nationally representative panel study. By using each respondent as their own control, fixed-effects models remove the influence of time-invariant confounders. Innovative new approaches are still needed to address the causal directionality of the association and to capture both those whose exposure changes as well as those for whom it persists. Future work should also consider potential modifying factors including societal conditions, macroeconomic and other period effects, and characteristics of individuals, as well as drawing on multidisciplinary approaches that consider jobs as a combination of multiple health-relevant exposures and embed individual workers in families and communities to assess the full reach and consequences of perceived job insecurity.
Postdisaster Changes in Social Capital and Mental Health: A Natural Experiment From the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake
Authors: Sato Koryu , Amemiya Airi , Haseda Maho , Takagi Daisuke , Kanamori Mariko , Kondo Katsunori , Kondo Naoki
Published: March 2020

Levels of social capital can change after a natural disaster; thus far, no study has examined how changes in social capital affect the mental health of disaster victims. In this study, we examined how predisaster social capital and its changes after a disaster were associated with the onset of mental disorders. In October 2013, we mailed a questionnaire to participants in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study living in Mifune, a town in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, and measured predisaster social capital. In April 2016, the Kumamoto earthquake struck the region. Three years after the baseline survey, postdisaster social capital and symptoms of mental disorders were measured using the Screening Questionnaire for Disaster Mental Health (n = 828). Multiple Poisson regression indicated that a 1-standard-deviation change in predisaster social cohesion at the community level reduced the risk of depression among women (relative risk = 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.24, 0.78); a decline in social capital after the disaster elevated the risk (relative risk = 2.44, 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 4.47). In contrast to social cohesion, high levels of social participation at the community level were positively associated with the risk of depression among women. Policy-makers should pay attention to sex differences and types of social capital when leveraging social capital for recovery from disasters.
Sodium Handling and Interaction in Numerous Organs
Authors: Minegishi Shintaro , Luft Friedrich C , Titze Jens , Kitada Kento
Published: March 2020

Salt (NaCl) is a prerequisite for life. Excessive intake of salt, however, is said to increase disease risk, including hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart failure, renal disease, stroke, and cancer. Therefore, considerable research has been expended on the mechanism of sodium handling based on the current concepts of sodium balance. The studies have necessarily relied on relatively short-term experiments and focused on extremes of salt intake in humans. Ultra-long-term salt balance has received far less attention. We performed long-term salt balance studies at intakes of 6, 9, and 12 g/day and found that although the kidney remains the long-term excretory gate, tissue and plasma sodium concentrations are not necessarily the same and that urinary salt excretion does not necessarily reflect total-body salt content. We found that to excrete salt, the body makes a great effort to conserve water, resulting in a natriuretic-ureotelic principle of salt excretion. Of note, renal sodium handling is characterized by osmolyte excretion with anti-parallel water reabsorption, a state-of-affairs that is achieved through the interaction of multiple organs. In this review, we discuss novel sodium and water balance concepts in reference to our ultra-long-term study. An important key to understanding body sodium metabolism is to focus on water conservation, a biological principle to protect from dehydration, since excess dietary salt excretion into the urine predisposes to renal water loss because of natriuresis. We believe that our research direction is relevant not only to salt balance but also to cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms.
Benevolent Policing? Vulnerability and the Moral Pains of Border Controls
Authors: Aliverti Ana
Published: March 2020

In the United Kingdom, as in other jurisdictions, the language of vulnerability and ‘safeguarding’, protection and care is becoming increasingly prevalent, often dovetailing with punitive rationales and practices. Drawing from empirical material collected during a study on police–immigration partnership in everyday policing, the paper analyses how contemporaneous punitive and humanitarian turns in criminal justice are experienced by law enforcement officers doing border work on the ground and considers what implications these have. To what extent does the impetus to protect and care bolster or complicate the exercise of state coercive powers? And what challenges and tensions does it evince? It argues for a more nuanced understanding of the moral pain of border work and its disruptive potentials.
A Theory of Rural Case Management: A Delphi Study
Authors: Dellemain Jozette , Hodgkin Suzanne , Downey Heather
Published: March 2020

Though attention has been given to investigating the role of generalist case management in addressing complex needs, largely absent to date is an enquiry to develop the theory for rural community-based social work and human service case management. The purpose of this article is to describe how a two-stage exploratory mixed methods research methodology led to the formulation of a series of theoretical constructs to inform rural case management theory. This article describes Stage 2 of the study, a Delphi method with social work academics where vignettes and a rating scale were strategically combined to transform rural case management practice experience into constructs to inform rural practice theory. We conclude the article by contending that mixed method research designs hold promise for other areas of human services work, where practice theory grounded in-field experience is sought.