bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy-dispersive X-ray micro Laue diffraction on a bent gold nanowire
Authors: AlHassan Ali , Abboud A. , Cornelius T. W. , Ren Z. , Thomas O. , Richter G. , Micha J.-S. , Send S. , Hartmann R. , Strüder L. , Pietsch U.
Published: December 2020

This article reports on energy-dispersive micro Laue (µLaue) diffraction of an individual gold nanowire that was mechanically deformed in three-point bending geometry using an atomic force microscope. The nanowire deformation was investigated by scanning the focused polychromatic X-ray beam along the nanowire and recording µLaue diffraction patterns using an energy-sensitive pnCCD detector that permits measurement of the angular positions of the Laue spots and the energies of the diffracted X-rays simultaneously. The plastic deformation of the nanowire was shown by a bending of up to 3.0 ± 0.1°, a torsion of up to 0.3 ± 0.1° and a maximum deformation depth of 80 ± 5 nm close to the position where the mechanical load was applied. In addition, extended Laue spots in the vicinity of one of the clamping points indicated the storage of geometrically necessary dislocations with a density of 7.5 × 1013 m−2. While µLaue diffraction with a non-energy-sensitive detector only gives access to the deviatoric strain, the energy sensitivity of the employed pnCCD offers absolute strain measurements with a resolution of 1%. Here, the residual strain after complete unloading of the nanowire amounted to maximum tensile and compressive strains of the order of +1.2 and −3%, which is comparable to the actual resolution limit. The combination of white-beam µLaue diffraction using an energy-sensitive pixel detector with nano-mechanical testing opens up new possibilities for the study of mechanical behavior at the nanoscale.
Two-dimensional Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering on a Cm-doped borosilicate glass in a beryllium container
Authors: Bouty Olivier , Ramond Laure , Dardenne Kathy , Rothe Jörg
Published: December 2020

The two-dimensional wide-angle X-ray diffraction technique was applied to a Cm-doped borosilicate glass in a beryllium container. The experiment involved a high-energy X-ray beam and an image plate. It is shown that it is possible to extract the structure factor of the radioactive glass successfully from diffraction patterns and compare it with that of the pristine one. Striking differences appear under the first diffraction peak, revealing new sub-structures for the radioactive glass. It is suggested that they could be related to structural changes in the medium-range order, in particular the size distribution of rings or chains under the influence of mixed interactions between the glass network, α-particles and recoil nuclei.
Development of the destination food image scale (DFIS) and examination of measurement invariance by gender
Authors: Görür Hakan , Güzeller Cem Oktay
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to create a reliable and valid scale to assess the destination food image perceived by the tourists regarding the food in Turkey within the cognitive and affective image component framework. In line with this purpose, both scale development and scale adaptation studies are conducted, and measurement invariance of the scale for gender is analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the survey model among quantitative research methods. Scale development processes are used to assess the cognitive image; the construct validity is analyzed with exploratory factor analysis (n = 328), confirmatory factor analysis (n = 425) and convergent and discriminant validity. Scale adaptation processes are followed to assess the affective image, and construct validity is tested with confirmatory factor analysis (n = 425). The reliability of both scales is investigated with Cronbach's alpha. Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel (CMH) analysis is conducted for measurement invariance for gender.

Findings

Construct validity and reliability provided the desired values in all processes. Measurement invariance results proved that the scale does not change according to genders.

Research limitations/implications

The data obtained in this study have geographical limitations, and the data represent tourists visiting Antalya, an important tourism destination in Turkey.

Practical implications

The scale will provide concrete information about the destination food image and help practitioners to test the model and develop future strategies for the destination.

Originality/value

This study presents an integrated approach to understanding the destination food image and expands theoretical and empirical evidence by creating a scale that measures both cognitive and affective image component. Scale-invariant shows that there is no item bias for analyzed gender and contributes to generalizability.
The link between HIWPs and well-being at work: the mediating role of trust
Authors: Uribetxebarria Urtzi , Gago Mónica , Legarra Maite , Elorza Unai
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper examines the extent to which investment in human capital (HC) influences employee well-being, focusing on companies in the Basque Country in Northern Spain. Specifically, it analyzes the effects of worker perceptions of high-involvement work system (HIWS) on job satisfaction (JS) and affective commitment (AC), directly and through the mediating role of trust in management. This trust mediating role was also explored by analyzing the isolated effects of high-involvement work processes (power, information, reward and knowledge [PIRK] enhancing practices) on JS and AC.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used on a sample of 2,199 employees from 425 organizations working in different industries. As the study was performed at the organizational level, aggregation was conducted first.

Findings

The findings revealed that trust partially mediated the relationship between HIWS and JS, although AC was directly predicted by the system. In contrast, a trust mediating role was confirmed in the relationship between all PIRK processes, JS and AC.

Originality/value

This study highlights the “hinge” role of trust in linking high-involvement work practices (HIWPs) as an approach to assess HC in organizations and well-being at work. It further conceptualizes HIWS via a PIRK model and operationalizes it through systemic and dimensional approach.
Can employee's boundary-spanning behavior exactly promote innovation performance? The roles of creative ideas generation and team task interdependence
Authors: Zhang Qiuping , Li Jin
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The complex and changeable working environment makes individual cross-boundary activities inevitable. Yet, how employee's boundary-spanning behavior (BSB) stimulates innovation performance remains to be further explored. This study aims to analyze the intermediary mechanism and boundary conditions between employee's BSB and innovation performance based on knowledge integration theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data in two waves (July and August 2017) and from two hierarchical levels (from the final sample of 286 employees and their 29 direct supervisors) within ten manufacturing firms located in Nanjing and Anhui, China.

Findings

The results indicate that creative ideas generation mediates the relationship between employee's BSB and innovation performance. Moreover, employees with higher levels of team task interdependence (TTI) lead to a stronger relationship between ideas generation and innovation performance compared to lower levels of TTI (positively moderates the second stage of mediation).

Practical implications

By verifying the key effects of ideas generation and TTI between employee's BSB and innovation performance, the findings of this study provide practical guidance for enterprises to improve the efficiency of employee's BSB.

Originality/value

First, the authors use knowledge integration theory (Grant, 1996a) to deduce the formation process of the mechanism between employee's BSB and his/her innovation results, which clearly shows the driving forces and integral power of the formation process within an individual knowledge integrating system. The authors’ second contribution is further exploring the conditions under which engaging innovative ideas generated by the integration of employee's BSB is more likely to lead to ideas for implementation by examining TTI as a team-level moderator.
Narrative and aesthetics as antecedents of perceived learning in serious games
Authors: Alexiou Andreas , Schippers Michaéla C. , Oshri Ilan , Angelopoulos Spyros
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study uses a critically acclaimed digital game as an instructional tool to explore the role of emotional design elements on psychological flow and perceived learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ transportation theory to generate a set of antecedents of psychological flow and the theory of flow to connect the gaming experience to positive learning outcomes. The authors investigate the subjective learning experience of players with the use of a psychometric survey, and the authors employ structural equation modelling (SEM) to unearth the direct as well as the indirect effects amongst narrative, aesthetics, flow and learning outcomes.

Findings

The findings of this study demonstrate that narrative and aesthetics in serious games positively influence the perceived learning by facilitating a state of psychological flow.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to better understanding and theorizing the role of narrative and aesthetics on learning outcomes in the context of serious games.

Practical implications

The findings of this study bear valuable implications for the design of serious games as they highlight the importance of elements often disregarded as not directly related to the learning process and are typically absent from the design of serious games.

Originality/value

Prior studies have identified aesthetics and narratives as design elements that contribute to the perceived enjoyment of a game; this study empirically investigates the role of narratives and aesthetics in enhancing perceived learning through psychological flow.
Student and staff expectations and experiences of a UK–China Transnational Education collaboration
Authors: Rowley Martin , Skipper Yvonne
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study reports the results of a survey of teaching staff in the UK and China and two cohorts of Chinese students. We explored perceptions of a Transnational Education (TNE) course taught by UK teachers at a Chinese university to ascertain similarities and differences in perceptions and to help inform future TNE design and provision.

Design/methodology/approach

Teachers in the UK (N = 10) and Chinese University (N = 20) and two cohorts of Chinese students (N = 102) completed questionnaires about their perceptions of the collaboration, including why they thought the university had developed the course and the benefits and risks of the course. They were also asked why they personally or why they thought the students had enrolled in the course. Questions were a mix of forced choice and open response formats.

Findings

Prior to the course commencing, differences were identified between UK and Chinese teachers in their perception of the risks and benefits of the course and the challenges students might face. Differences were also seen in teachers' and students' views about why students enrolled and their expectations about the course. The TNE is no longer running and many of the reasons for this were identified by our participants before the course had begun.

Originality/value

This suggests the importance of engaging with various stakeholders in the setup of TNE to ensure a close match between staff, student and institutional expectations of the course. This is likely to increase the likelihood of success of such programmes.
Food waste reduction in supply chains through innovations: a review
Authors: Aramyan Lusine , Grainger Matthew , Logatcheva Katja , Piras Simone , Setti Marco , Stewart Gavin , Vittuari Matteo
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Agri-food supply chains are facing a number of challenges, which cause inefficiencies resulting in the waste of natural and economic resources, and in negative environmental and social impacts. Food waste (FW) is a result of such inefficiencies and supply chain actors search for economically viable innovations to prevent and reduce it. This study aims to analyse the drivers and the barriers that affect the decision of supply chain operators to adopt innovations (technological – TI, organisational – OI and marketing – MI) to reduce FW.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was carried out using a four-step approach that included: a literature review to identify factors affecting the decision to adopt innovations; analysis of FW drivers and reduction possibilities along agri-food supply chains through innovations; mapping the results of Steps 1 and 2 and deriving conclusions regarding the factors affecting the adoption of innovations to reduce and prevent FW.

Findings

Results show that different types of innovations have a high potential in reducing and preventing FW along the supply chain; however, they still must be economically feasible to be adopted by decision makers in the food supply chain. TI, OI and MI are often interrelated and can trigger each other. When it comes to a combination of different types of innovation to reduce and prevent FW, a good example of combining TI, OI and MI may be observed in the retail sector in Europe. Here, innovative smartphone apps (TI) to promote the sale of products nearing their expiration dates (OI in terms of organising the sales differently and MI in terms of marketing it differently) were developed and adopted via different retailing channels, leading to the creation of a new business model.

Practical implications

This study analyses the drivers of FW generation together with the factors affecting the decision to adopt innovations to reduce it and provides solutions to supply chain operators to prevent and reduce FW through different types of innovations.

Originality/value

Literature has not systematically addressed innovations aiming at the reduction of FW yet. This paper provides a comprehensive literature review of the determinants of innovation adoption and offers a novel view on the problem of FW reduction by means of innovation, by linking factors affecting the decision to innovate with FW drivers.
LoxTnSeq: random transposon insertions combined with cre/lox recombination and counterselection to generate large random genome reductions
Authors: Shaw Daniel , Miravet‐Verde Samuel , Piñero‐Lambea Carlos , Serrano Luis , Lluch‐Senar Maria
Published: December 2020

The removal of unwanted genetic material is a key aspect in many synthetic biology efforts and often requires preliminary knowledge of which genomic regions are dispensable. Typically, these efforts are guided by transposon mutagenesis studies, coupled to deepsequencing (TnSeq) to identify insertion points and gene essentiality. However, epistatic interactions can cause unforeseen changes in essentiality after the deletion of a gene, leading to the redundancy of these essentiality maps. Here, we present LoxTnSeq, a new methodology to generate and catalogue libraries of genome reduction mutants. LoxTnSeq combines random integration of lox sites by transposon mutagenesis, and the generation of mutants via Cre recombinase, catalogued via deep sequencing. When LoxTnSeq was applied to the naturally genome reduced bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, we obtained a mutant pool containing 285 unique deletions. These deletions spanned from > 50 bp to 28 Kb, which represents 21% of the total genome. LoxTnSeq also highlighted large regions of non‐essential genes that could be removed simultaneously, and other non‐essential regions that could not, providing a guide for future genome reductions.
Chromosome‐level reference genome assembly provides insights into aroma biosynthesis in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis)
Authors: Ma Dongna , Dong Shanshan , Zhang Shengcheng , Wei Xiuqing , Xie Qingjun , Ding Qiansu , Xia Rui , Zhang Xingtan
Published: December 2020

Passion fruit, native to tropical America, is an agriculturally, economically and ornamentally important fruit plant that is well known for its acid pulp, rich aroma and distinctive flavour. Here, we present a chromosome‐level genome assembly of passion fruit by incorporating PacBio long HiFi reads and Hi‐C technology. The assembled reference genome is 1.28 Gb size with a scaffold N50 of 126.4 Mb and 99.22% sequences anchored onto nine pseudochromosomes. This genome is highly repetitive, accounting for 86.61% of the assembled genome. A total of 39,309 protein‐coding genes were predicted with 93.48% of those being functionally annotated in the public databases. Genome evolution analysis revealed a core eudicot‐common γ whole‐genome triplication event and a more recent whole‐genome duplication event, possibly contributing to the expansion of certain gene families. The 33 rapidly expanded gene families were significantly enriched in the pathways of isoflavone biosynthesis, galactose metabolism, diterpene biosynthesis and fatty acid metabolism, which might be responsible for the formation of featured flavours in the passion fruit. Transcriptome analysis revealed that genes related to ester and ethylene biosynthesis were significantly upregulated in the mature fruit and the expression levels of those genes were consistent with the accumulation of volatile lipid compounds. The passion fruit genome analysis improves our understanding of the genome evolution of this species and sheds new lights into the molecular mechanism of aroma biosynthesis in passion fruit.
Cathodoluminescence and Trace Element Composition of Scheelite from the Middle‐Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt (MLYB): Implications for Mineralization and Exploration
Authors: NIE Liqing , ZHOU Taofa , CHEN Xuefeng , WANG Fangyue , XIAO Xin
Published: December 2020

The Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt (MLYB) is known to contain abundant copper and iron porphyry‐skarn deposits, with an increasing number of tungsten deposits and scheelite in Fe–Cu deposits being discovered in the MLYB during recent decades. The ore genesis of the newly‐discovered tungsten mineralization in the MLYB is poorly understood. We investigate four sets of scheelite samples from tungsten, iron and copper deposits, using CL imaging and LA–ICP–MS techniques to reveal internal zonation patterns and trace element compositions. The REE distribution patterns of four studied deposits show varying degrees of LREE enrichment with negative Eu anomalies. The oxygen fugacity of ore‐forming fluid increased in Donggushan, while the oxygen fugacity of ore‐forming fluid decreased in Ruanjiawan, Guilinzheng and Gaojiabang. The scheelites from the Donggushan, Ruanjiawan, Guilinzheng and Gaojiabang deposits show enrichment in LREEs and HFSE, with Nb/La ratios ranging from 1.217 to 52.455, indicating that the four tungsten deposits are enriched in the volatile fluorine. A plot of (La/Lu)N versus Mo/δEu can be used to distinguish quartz vein type, porphyry and skarn tungsten deposits. This study demonstrates that scheelite grains can be used to infer tungsten mineralization and are effective in identifying magmatic types of tungsten deposits in prospective mining sites.
New insights into lake responses to rapid climate change: the Younger Dryas in Lake Gościąż, central Poland
Authors: Müller Daniela , Tjallingii Rik , Płóciennik Mateusz , Luoto Tomi P. , Kotrys Bartosz , Plessen Birgit , Ramisch Arne , Schwab Markus J. , Błaszkiewicz Mirosław , Słowiński Michał , Brauer Achim
Published: December 2020

The sediment profile from Lake Gościąż in central Poland comprises a continuous, seasonally resolved and exceptionally well‐preserved archive of the Younger Dryas (YD) climate variation. This provides a unique opportunity for detailed investigation of lake system responses during periods of rapid climate cooling (YD onset) and warming (YD termination). The new varve record of Lake Gościąż presented here spans 1662 years from the late Allerød (AL) to the early Preboreal (PB). Microscopic varve counting provides an independent chronology with a YD duration of 1149+14/–22 years, which confirms previous results of 1140±40 years. We link stable oxygen isotopes and chironomid‐based air temperature reconstructions with the response of various geochemical and varve microfacies proxies especially focusing on the onset and termination of the YD. Cooling at the YD onset lasted ~180 years, which is about a century longer than the terminal warming that was completed in ~70 years. During the AL/YD transition, environmental proxy data lagged the onset of cooling by ~90 years and revealed an increase of lake productivity and internal lake re‐suspension as well as slightly higher detrital sediment input. In contrast, rapid warming and environmental changes during the YD/PB transition occurred simultaneously. However, initial changes such as declining diatom deposition and detrital input occurred already a few centuries before the rapid warming at the YD/PB transition. These environmental changes likely reflect a gradual increase in summer air temperatures already during the YD. Our data indicate complex and differing environmental responses to the major climate changes related to the YD, which involve different proxy sensitivities and threshold processes.
Predictor complexity and feature selection affect Maxent model transferability: Evidence from global freshwater invasive species
Authors: Low Bi Wei , Zeng Yiwen , Tan Heok Hui , Yeo Darren C.J.
Published: December 2020

Aim

Ecological niche models (ENMs) are widely used to address urgent real‐world problems such as climate change effects or invasive species; however, the generality of models when projected through space and/or time, that is transferability, remains a key challenge. Here, we explored the effects of complex predictors and feature selection on ENM transferability in a widely employed algorithm, Maxent, using five globally invasive freshwater species as case studies.

Location

Global.

Methods

We modelled the global distributions of five notorious freshwater invasive species (African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus, Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus, American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus, red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, and Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus), using three predictor datasets of varying complexities derived from two commonly used climatic data sources (WorldClim and IPCC) and three methods of model tuning that differentially incorporated feature selection. Spatially explicit transferability assessments were then conducted using a suite of evaluation metrics previously used to quantify Maxent model performance.

Results

We show that in the absence of detailed biological knowledge of focal species, simpler predictor datasets produce models that are more accurate than those calibrated using comprehensive “bioclimatic” datasets. Additionally, we find that tuning models for both optimal regularization parameters as well as feature‐class combinations led to the greatest increases in transferability and geographic niche conservatism. Results indicate a tenuous link between model transferability and Akaike's information criterion corrected for small sample sizes (AICc), suggesting that the indiscriminate use of AICc as an estimate of model parsimony may lead to erratic model performance.

Main conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that methodological considerations can drastically affect the reliability of spatial and possibly temporal projections, which has severe implications when ENMs are used to infer species’ niches, and quantify ecological or evolutionary change across impacted landscapes.
Are biologics more effective than corticosteroids for intra‐articular treatment of osteoarthritis?
Authors: White G. F. , Gómez Álvarez C. B. , Lewis R.
Published: December 2020

Intra‐articular corticosteroids are an effective treatment for equine osteoarthritis, however, there is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of other treatments such as biologics. Whilst current evidence does support biologics and their use in patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis, there remains to be a lack of evidence regarding their long‐term outcomes and the efficacy of their use as a treatment, especially when compared to corticosteroids. This paper reviewed the evidence comparing intra‐articular corticosteroids and biologics in the treatment of equine osteoarthritis and found that whilst they are both effective treatments, more evidence directly comparing them is required.
Widespread decline in Central European plant diversity across six decades
Authors: Eichenberg David , Bowler Diana E. , Bonn Aletta , Bruelheide Helge , Grescho Volker , Harter David , Jandt Ute , May Rudolf , Winter Marten , Jansen Florian
Published: December 2020

Based on plant occurrence data covering all parts of Germany, we investigated changes in the distribution of 2136 plant species between 1960 and 2017. We analyzed 29 million occurrence records over an area of ~350,000 km2on a 5 × 5 km grid using temporal and spatiotemporal models and accounting for sampling bias. Since the 1960s, more than 70% of investigated plant species showed declines in nationwide occurrence. Archaeophytes (species introduced before 1492) most strongly declined but also native plant species experienced severe declines. In contrast, neophytes (species introduced after 1492) increased in their nationwide occurrence but not homogeneously throughout the country. Our analysis suggests that the strongest declines in native species already happened in the 1960s–1980s, a time frame in which often few data exist. Increases in neophytic species were strongest in the 1990s and 2010s. Overall, the increase in neophytes did not compensate for the loss of other species, resulting in a decrease in mean grid cell species richness of −1.9% per decade. The decline in plant biodiversity is a widespread phenomenon occurring in different habitats and geographic regions. It is likely that this decline has major repercussions on ecosystem functioning and overall biodiversity, potentially with cascading effects across trophic levels. The approach used in this study is transferable to other large‐scale trend analyses using heterogeneous occurrence data.
Urinary incontinence and its association with socioeconomic status among middle‐aged and older persons in Taiwan: A population‐based study
Authors: Lin Yi‐Fang , Lin Yu‐Chun , Wu I‐Chien , Chang Yu‐Hung
Published: December 2020

Aim

This study aimed to explore the association between socioeconomic status and urinary incontinence (UI).

Methods

We used data from the three waves of the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. This study included 2458 women and 2866 men aged ≥50 years. We used logistic random effects models to examine the associations of interest, adjusting for demographics, health‐related behaviors, disability, number of health conditions and prostate problems for men and numbers of children for women.

Results

In adjusted analysis, women with secondary education least frequently reported UI compared with women with no formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.41, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.22–0.79). Those with severe economic hardships (vs those with no economic hardships) had an increased risk of UI among men and women (AOR 2.71, 95% CI 1.72–4.25 and AOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.31–2.88, respectively). Compared with men doing mentally demanding jobs, service workers/salesperson and retired men were more prone to UI (AOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.14–6.36 and AOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.19–4.87, respectively). Further analysis showed that the associations of economic hardship with UI were attenuated when adjusting for access to healthcare.

Conclusion

No formal education in women and severe economic hardship in both the sexes were associated with an increased risk of UI among middle‐aged and older persons. The disparities should be taken into account in interventions for prevention, treatment and management of UI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 245–253.
Down‐regulation of EOMES drives T‐cell exhaustion via abolishing EOMES‐mediated repression of inhibitory receptors of T cells in liver cancer
Authors: He Hongwei , Yi Yong , Cai Xiaoyan , Wang Jiaxing , Ni Xiaochun , Fu Yipeng , Qiu Shuangjian
Published: December 2020

T‐cell exhaustion is one of the hallmarks in cancer, but the mechanisms underlying T‐cell dysregulation remains unclear. Here, we reported that down‐regulation of transcription factor EOMES contributed to increased levels of inhibitory receptors in T cell among the tumour tissues and resulted in the poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By analysing the correlation between EOMES in tumour‐infiltrating T cells and the clinical features, we demonstrated that the EOMES was related to the advanced stage and poor prognosis of HCC. Further mechanistic studies revealed that the EOMES mainly expressed in the CD8+ T cells and were down‐regulated in tumour samples. Moreover, we demonstrated that the EOMES directly bound at the transcriptional regulatory regions of the key inhibitory factors including PD‐1, CTAL‐4 and CD39, and lower levels of EOMES contributed to overexpression of these factors in T cells. Together, our studies provide new insight into the transcriptional deregulation of the inhibitory receptors on T cells during the tumorigenesis.
Resveratrol treatment reduces expression of MCP‐1, IL‐6, IL‐8 and RANTES in endometriotic stromal cells
Authors: Kolahdouz‐Mohammadi Roya , Shidfar Farzad , Khodaverdi Sepideh , Arablou Tahereh , Heidari Sahel , Rashidi Nesa , Delbandi Ali‐Akbar
Published: December 2020

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease affecting reproductive‐aged women. Immunologic disturbance, as well as inflammation, have crucial roles in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of resveratrol treatment on expression of monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in endometrial stromal cells from patients with endometriosis compared with non‐endometriotic controls. Thirteen eutopic (EuESCs) and nine ectopic (EESCs) endometrial stromal cells from endometriotic patients as well as eleven endometrial stromal cells from non‐endometriotic controls (CESCs) were treated with resveratrol (100 μmol/L) or ethanol, and gene and/or protein expression of MCP‐1, IL‐6, IL‐8 and RANTES was examined at 6, 24 and 48 hours following treatment in the cells from all origins. Resveratrol treatment significantly reduced gene and protein expression of MCP‐1, IL‐6, and IL‐8 in EuESCs and EESCs compared with CESCs (P < .05‐.001, P < .05‐.001 and P < .05‐<.01, respectively), and this reduction was more noticeable in EESCs than EuESCs (P < .05‐<.001). Besides, resveratrol treatment significantly reduced RANTES protein expression in EESCs in all time intervals (P < .05). Resveratrol treatment significantly reduced the expression of MCP‐1, IL‐6, IL‐8 and RANTES in EESCs.
Contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to plant development and plant–environment interactions
Authors: Dong Nai‐Qian , Lin Hong‐Xuan
Published: December 2020

Phenylpropanoid metabolism is one of the most important metabolisms in plants, yielding more than 8,000 metabolites contributing to plant development and plant–environment interplay. Phenylpropanoid metabolism materialized during the evolution of early freshwater algae that were initiating terrestrialization and land plants have evolved multiple branches of this pathway, which give rise to metabolites including lignin, flavonoids, lignans, phenylpropanoid esters, hydroxycinnamic acid amides, and sporopollenin. Recent studies have revealed that many factors participate in the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism, and modulate phenylpropanoid homeostasis when plants undergo successive developmental processes and are subjected to stressful environments. In this review, we summarize recent progress on elucidating the contribution of phenylpropanoid metabolism to the coordination of plant development and plant–environment interaction, and metabolic flux redirection among diverse metabolic routes. In addition, our review focuses on the regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism at the transcriptional, post‐transcriptional, post‐translational, and epigenetic levels, and in response to phytohormones and biotic and abiotic stresses.
The plant cell wall: Biosynthesis, construction, and functions
Authors: Zhang Baocai , Gao Yihong , Zhang Lanjun , Zhou Yihua
Published: December 2020

The plant cell wall is composed of multiple biopolymers, representing one of the most complex structural networks in nature. Hundreds of genes are involved in building such a natural masterpiece. However, the plant cell wall is the least understood cellular structure in plants. Due to great progress in plant functional genomics, many achievements have been made in uncovering cell wall biosynthesis, assembly, and architecture, as well as cell wall regulation and signaling. Such information has significantly advanced our understanding of the roles of the cell wall in many biological and physiological processes and has enhanced our utilization of cell wall materials. The use of cutting‐edge technologies such as single‐molecule imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy has provided much insight into the plant cell wall as an intricate nanoscale network, opening up unprecedented possibilities for cell wall research. In this review, we summarize the major advances made in understanding the cell wall in this era of functional genomics, including the latest findings on the biosynthesis, construction, and functions of the cell wall.
Incidence and risk factors for feline lymphoma in UK primary‐care practice
Authors: Economu L. , Stell A. , O'Neill D. G. , Schofield I. , Stevens K. , Brodbelt D.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The study aimed to estimate the incidence and prevalence of feline lymphoma in cats attending primary‐care practices across the UK and to identify patient‐based and environmental (radon and pesticide exposure) risk factors.

Materials and Methods

Case records from the VetCompass programme from primary‐care veterinary practices in the UK were searched for a diagnosis of lymphoma in cats in 2016. Cases were required to have had an external laboratory confirmed diagnosis based on cytology and/or histopathology. A nested case–control study design was used to identify risk factors for lymphoma using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

From a cohort of 562,446 cats under veterinary care at VetCompass participating practices in 2016, a total of 271 lymphoma cases were identified (prevalence: 48/100,000, 95% confidence interval (CI) 44 to 56/100,000; incidence 32/100,000, 95% CI 26 to 35/100,000). There were 180 incident lymphoma cases and 803 controls, all aged 2 years and older. Male (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.4), insured (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.3 to 5.6) and older cats (compared to cats 2 to <5 years, OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.8 to 8.8) were associated with increased odds of lymphoma diagnosis. Vaccinated cats were associated with decreased odds (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.0) compared to unvaccinated cats, although the type of vaccination received was not statistically significant. Breed and environmental factors studied were not associated with a diagnosis of lymphoma.

Clinical Significance

This is the first study to estimate the frequency and report risk factors for lymphoma in cats attending UK primary‐care practice.
Political Change and Transitional Justice in Mongolia and North Korea: Determinants of Feature and Typological Connectivity
Authors: Heo Man‐ho
Published: December 2020

The current study examines the transitional justice experience in Mongolia and identifies possible points of reference for the North Korean situation. As transitional justice is a process with various potential features at different time points, the case of Mongolia is examined from a typological perspective, which is also useful to overcome the lack of comprehensive and systematic information. In terms of the implementation type of transitional justice, the Mongolian case was centered on victim relief, as the social atmosphere was regrettably complicit in ignoring or denying the wrongdoings of the past. Moreover, most of the variables for successful transitional justice were weak or disadvantageous, as determined by the rapport de force and weak civil society after the passive, so‐called “Democratic Revolution” in 1990. Albeit, the case of Mongolia represents a positive reference for a potential transition to democracy and transitional justice in North Korea, even though the current conditions do not satisfy the necessary requirements. Furthermore, the probability and mode of North Korea's transitional justice will unavoidably depend on its “transition to democracy” based on its civil society and dichotomous social differentiation in the late‐communist stage. Therefore, this paper contradistinguishes the situations in Mongolia and North Korea to determine the likelihood of political change in North Korea and then identify the absent and distorted elements for any related transitional justice.
The evolution of traveling waves in a KPP reaction–diffusion model with cut‐off reaction rate. II. Evolution of traveling waves
Authors: Tisbury Alex D. O. , Needham David J. , Tzella Alexandra
Published: December 2020

In Part II of this series of papers, we consider an initial‐boundary value problem for the Kolmogorov–Petrovskii–Piscounov (KPP)‐type equation with a discontinuous cut‐off in the reaction function at concentration . For fixed cut‐off value , we apply the method of matched asymptotic coordinate expansions to obtain the complete large‐time asymptotic form of the solution, which exhibits the formation of a permanent form traveling wave (PTW) structure. In particular, this approach allows the correction to the wave speed and the rate of convergence of the solution onto the PTW to be determined via a detailed analysis of the asymptotic structures in small time and, subsequently, in large space. The asymptotic results are confirmed against numerical results obtained for the particular case of a cut‐off Fisher reaction function.
A simplified monotone model of Wolbachia invasion encompassing Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
Authors: Escobar‐Lasso Oscar Eduardo , Vasilieva Olga
Published: December 2020

Wolbachia‐based biocontrol has recently emerged as a potential method for the prevention and control of dengue and other vector‐borne diseases. Major vector species, such as Aedes aegypti females, when deliberately infected with Wolbachia become far less capable of getting infected and transmitting the virus to human individuals. In this paper, we propose and qualitatively analyze a simplified model of Wolbachia invasion that describes an interaction and competition between Wolbachia‐infected and wild Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. This model not only facilitates better visualization of the Wolbachia invasion dynamics thanks to its bidimensionality, but it also possesses the noticeable property of monotonicity and exhibits the saddle‐point behavior. The latter helps to identify a threshold manifold consisting of points in that couple the minimum viable population sizes of wild and Wolbachia‐carrying insects and also regulate the survival and extinction of each population of mosquitoes.
Common shock, different paths? Comparing social policy responses to COVID‐19 in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Hick Rod , Murphy Mary P.
Published: December 2020

The UK and Ireland responded to the rapid health and economic impacts of COVID‐19 by supporting incomes through job retention and job loss instruments, However distinct policy legacies, political and institutional differences between the two countries mean critical differences in both the nature and the relative weight placed on these instruments. The UK income support package was announced in one go and centred on a generous, newly created Job Retention Scheme as well as an enhanced Universal Credit for people who became unemployed. Ireland, by contrast, created a new, more generous social security payment, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, while a less prominent job retention scheme followed a week later. These initial decisions generated distinct policy dilemmas during a second round of policy changes, in which Ireland sought to reintegrate the more generous Pandemic Unemployment Payment into the mainstream welfare system, while UK sought to ensure that the Job Retention Scheme was only supporting retained (or “viable”) jobs. A second wave of infections in October 2020, requiring new restrictions, led both nations to make substantial retreats from resolving these core policy dilemmas.
Clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand: Origins, practice, and future implications
Authors: Appleby Joanna , Staniforth Barbara , Flanagan Caroline , Millar Clarke
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION: Clinical social work is practised with individuals, groups and families in areas concerned with mental health and counselling for people’s wellbeing. As a field of practice, it has been insufficiently researched and often not understood in Aotearoa New Zealand. This article provides an overview of clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.APPROACH: This is a theoretical article that discusses the development of social work, and clinical social work, in this country; attention is paid to professionalisation debates and registration. There is an overview of the social work training landscape and post-qualifying mental health specialisation options, with a brief discussion about the New Entry to Specialist Practice model for social workers. Theoretical underpinnings of clinical social work interventions are canvassed, including systemic models, recovery approaches, strengths-based models, indigenous models, narrative therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. Four vignettes of clinical social work are presented, before a discussion about the future implications for clinical social work in Aotearoa New Zealand.CONCLUSION: Clinical social workers have a range of knowledge and skills to work with people in mental distress. A challenge is issued to clinical social workers to continue to uphold social work values within multidisciplinary mental health services. The development of a clinical scope of practice in the context of recent mandatory registration for social workers is recommended.
Expression of Story: Ethical considerations for participatory, community- and arts-based research relationships
Authors: Van Katwyk Trish , Wong Veen , Geiger Gabriel
Published: December 2020

INTRODUCTION: This meta-research article considers the ethics and efficacy of a nonviolent, “braided” methodology used by a research study called “The Recognition Project.” The methodology of The Recognition Project interweaved participatory, community-, and arts- based approaches in an effort to create a cooperative, relationally oriented environment where three distinct communities of interest could contribute respectively—and collaboratively—to the sharing, creation, and public dance performance of stories about self-harm. The three communities of interest were university-based researchers, community-based researchers who had engaged in self-harm, and an artist team of choreographers, a musician, and professional youth dancers. Our article explores some of the experiences, as shared by dancers of the artist team, from narrative interviews following the final dance performance.METHOD: Data were collected through qualitative interviews conducted with six artist team members. A qualitative thematic analysis approach was used to identify the main themes.FINDINGS: What emerged was an overriding theme about Story and the power issues that came forward due to the personal and the collective aspects of Story. The power issues were related to individual and collective exercise of power, the use of dialogue to build a positive community, and the transformative potential for the artist collaborators to participate in such a study.CONCLUSION: While participatory, community- and arts-based projects are often taken up with the intention of facilitating research that will not harm, there are important and additional ethical considerations to be made in community-based collaborations that feature difference across perspective, experience, skill, and knowledge.
Minimizing filling time for ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography with templates with multiple structures
Authors: Ban Yang H. , Bonnecaze Roger T.
Published: December 2020

Optimizing the locations and sizes of droplets is the key to reducing defects and increasing throughput of ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. In practice the templates are composed of regions with different structures. The interface between structures will generate complicated fluid flow behavior that will slow the filling time. Here, we explore several strategies through simulations to distribute resist material according to a nonuniform pattern to reduce filling time and ultimately increase throughput. In order to mimic the complexity of a template, the interface between different pairs of template structures is considered and the spreading and merging of droplets are simulated. From these simulations, it is found that the volume and arrangement of droplets underneath strongly affect the imprint time. By distributing the correct amount of resist underneath the template, one can remove the unnecessary fluid transferring step in droplet spreading and reduce the total filling time. Furthermore, by optimally placing the resist droplets, one can delay merging events and accelerate the spreading speed. Finally, the advantage of hexagonal arrangements is explored.
Reduced tropical cyclone densities and ocean effects due to anthropogenic greenhouse warming
Authors: Chu Jung-Eun , Lee Sun-Seon , Timmermann Axel , Wengel Christian , Stuecker Malte F. , Yamaguchi Ryohei
Published: December 2020

Climate model simulates future weakening of summer Hadley cells and decrease in tropical cyclone densities and ocean impacts.
Receptor-gated IL-2 delivery by an anti-human IL-2 antibody activates regulatory T cells in three different species
Authors: Karakus Ufuk , Sahin Dilara , Mittl Peer R. E. , Mooij Petra , Koopman Gerrit , Boyman Onur
Published: December 2020

CD25-biased human IL-2 complexes stimulate regulatory T cells in freshly isolated human T cells ex vivo and in mice and rhesus macaques in vivo.
Development of an Indirect Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Using a Multiepitope Recombinant Protein To Specifically Detect Antibodies against Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O in Swine
Authors: Liu Wei , Shao Junjun , Zhang Guanglei , Chang Yanyan , Ge Sudan , Sun Yue , Gao Zhan , Chang Huiyun
Published: December 2020

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has led to serious losses in animal husbandry worldwide. Seromonitoring of FMDV postvaccination is important for the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in regions and countries where vaccination is widespread. However, many commercial kits present high false-positive rates.
Diverse Bacterial Genes Modulate Plant Root Association by Beneficial Bacteria
Authors: do Amaral Fernanda Plucani , Tuleski Thalita Regina , Pankievicz Vania Carla Silva , Melnyk Ryan A. , Arkin Adam P. , Griffitts Joel , Tadra-Sfeir Michelle Zibetti , Maltempi de Souza Emanuel , Deutschbauer Adam , Monteiro Rose Adele , Stacey Gary
Published: December 2020

There is growing interest in the use of associative, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) as biofertilizers to serve as a sustainable alternative for agriculture application. While a variety of mechanisms have been proposed to explain bacterial plant growth promotion, the molecular details of this process remain unclear.