bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects from the international crude oil returns to Asian frontier oil and gas company stock returns
Authors: Nguyen Ngan Thi , Hoang Nghia Trung , Truong Vi Huynh Thuy
Published: May 2021

Asian frontier markets present compelling investment opportunities for investors seeking higher returns and low correlation with traditional assets. As such, it is important for financial market participants to understand the volatility transmission mechanism across these markets in order to make better portfolio allocation decisions. This study investigates the magnitude of return and volatility spillovers from the international crude oil markets on the Asian frontier oil and gas stock markets. In particular, we construct mean return and volatility spillover models to discuss whether regional (DSE, CSE, HNX, HOSE) and global (ICE) market impacts are crucial for the determination of oil & gas stock returns in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam by employing ARMA(1,1)-GARCH(1,1) model. Using daily returns from January 4, 2010 to December 31, 2019, the findings of this paper show that the Brent oil and WTI crude oil markets influence the Sri Lanka and Vietnamese oil and gas stock markets. WTI price changes, however, have a relatively minor impact on Sri Lanka companies. For Bangladesh, it is noticeable that none of the spillover effects is statically significant. The results are explained by different levels of the reform process in the energy sector as well as by the importance of oil in these markets. In general, these frontier markets, especially the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka may offer promising diversification benefits due to low correlations with developed equity markets. These results are important for economic policymakers and investors in understanding the magnitude of volatility spillover effects of the international crude oil on these markets. Investors can use this information to make better portfolio allocation decisions to reduce risks and enhance returns.
Proposta De Implementação De Processos De Rastreabilidade A Fim De Diminuir Os Custos E Obter Otimização Dos Recursos: Estudo De Caso Casa Das Correias Em Manaus
Authors: Melo Vandressa Patricia De Sousa , Osawa Carla Harumi Ikuno , Lima Larisse Cristine Nunes , Roberto José Carlos Alves
Published: May 2021

Por meio de um diagnóstico organizacional, foi identificada que a área de logística da empresa apresentada, possui problemas críticos, gerando custos desnecessários. Portanto, neste artigo, pesquisa-se sobre a proposta de implementação de processos de rastreabilidade a fim de diminuir os custos e obter otimização dos recursos. Para tanto, foi necessário localizar por meio de levantamento bibliográfico as principais ferramentas de otimização do custo de distribuição no varejo; analisar quais ações podem ser executadas na empresa estudada e esboçar uma estratégia de distribuição que eleve o nível de serviço nas entregas sem aumentar os custos. A metodologia utilizada foi pesquisas bibliográficas e coleta de dados em campo, quanto aos fins, exploratórios e descritivos. Diante disso, verifica-se que por meio da ferramenta de qualidade 5W2H, como proposta de implementação nas ações de melhorias a identificação através da curva abc, classificando em classe “A: estimativa do tamanho da frota específica para atendimento dos clientes classe “A”, proposta de estabelecimento do prazo de 48hrs para entregas de varejo para clientes classe “B” e “C” esquematizar a inserção dos processos de rastreamento de frotas por satélite, estabelecer critérios e recursos para gestão de entregas emergenciais. Como propósito final, objetivamos a diminuição de recursos dispensável.
REDESIGN BUILDING STRUCTURE RSGM UGM PROF. SOEDOMO USING FLAT SLAB METHOD WITH DROP PANELS
Authors: Firmansyah Tomi
Published: May 2021

Flat slab is reinforced concrete plate construction without beam. Without using beam, the obtainable profit is to minimize concrete volume, height/floor, and structural load. Other profits are simpler and economic reinforcement, scaffolding, and formwork. In this study, structural redesign of RSGM UGM Prof. Soedomo Yogyakarta building was made by using flat slab method. The objective of this study was to find structural dimension of floor and roof plates as well as reinforcement of the RSGM UGM Prof. Soedomo Building using structural system of flat slab, dimension of structural column and drop panel as well as reinforcement of the RSGM UGM Prof. Soedomo Building using structural system of flat slab. This method was to redesign using flat slab method complying with the standard of SNI 2847-2013 and software ETABS 2017. The results of analysis and calculation of structural dimension using flat slab method showed floor plate thickness of 170 mm; roof plate thickness, 120 mm; drop panel thickness, 270 mm with drop panel width of 2000 mm in direction x and 1500 mm in direction y, as well as use of column dimension of 500 mm x 500 mm. The analysis using software ETABS 2016 showed building structure in period (T) of 1.07 seconds.Keywords: RSGM UGM Prof. Soedomo Building, Drop Panel, Flat slab.
Pelatihan Manajemen Usaha Bagi Kelompok Usaha Bersama (KUBE) Jupiter Jaya Di Dusun Mavilla Rengganis Kabupaten Lombok Barat
Authors: Septika Baiq Herdina , Krisnahadi Tama , Aryani Menik , Wulandari Yayang Erry , Dianti Ira
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this service activity is to increase the motivation of Community Business Groups and the competitiveness of products by providing business management training for Jupiter Jaya Joint Business Group (KUBE) in Mavilla Rengganis Village, West Lombok Regency. The methods of implementing this activity wereby lectures, discussions and mentoring. The lectures were consisted of delivering material on business management, namely packaging management, labeling management and business financial management. The participants in this activity were 10 members of Jupiter Jaya KUBE. For financial management, partners were given training in simple financial bookkeeping and given assistance in making business bookkeeping.The result of this service activityis that most of the participants can comprehend business financial management. It can be seen that more than 90% of participants are able to make financial bookkeeping. In addition, the partners also agreed to use pouch stand for fish crisp packaging. This is because the stand pouch is more practical in packaging, strong in design, very flexible in shape, economical in price, and more modern and attractive in appearance. For product brands, the partners also agreed to name the fish crisp brand as dua sekawan.
Chapter 3: Transmission/Natural cycle
Authors: Chitimia-Dobler Lidia , Mackenstedt Ute , Kahl Olaf
Published: May 2021

The natural cycle of the TBE virus is dependent on vector ticks and reservoir hosts.

There are differing transmission cycles in varying environments, from cold northern coniferous forests to temperate central European forests.

Within a natural transmission cycle, there are different ways of transmission: tick-to-tick (transovarial, sexual), host-to-tick (viremic), and also tick-to-tick and host-to-host.

The complexity of natural transmission cycles is inadequately explored and poorly understood.
Chapter 7: TBE in special situations
Authors: Dobler Gerhard , Stoma Igor
Published: May 2021

TBE often takes a severe clinical course in immuno-suppressed patients. In transplant patients TBE usually takes a fatal course. TBE vaccination in immuno-suppressed patients can be non-effective TBE in pregnancy has rarely been reported; from recent cases there is no evidence of transplacental infection of the offspring. The alimentary route of infection of TBE is still common in some European countries resulting in a high clinical manifestation index. TBEV can be infectious in milk and milk products for up to 14 days under optimal environmental conditions. TBE is an important travel-related disease. Increasing numbers of non-endemic countries report imported cases. Imported TBE cases in non-endemic areas pose challenges regarding the diagnosis of TBE.
In vivo transdifferentiation, osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties of experimental water-soluble organo-biomaterials – A Pilot Study
Authors: Crivellaro Viviane Rozeira , Spada Gilvan , Judachesci Cláudia Salete , Spada Paula Porto , Saling Luiza Rodrigues , Miranda Idélcena Tatiane , Deliberador Tatiana Miranda , Gabardo Marilisa Carneiro Leão , Scariot Rafaela , Leão Moira Pedroso , Storrer Carmen Lucia Mueller , Khajotia Sharukh Soli , Esteban Florez Fernando Luis , Zielak João César
Published: May 2021

Inorganic bovine bone matrix (IBBM) is a biomaterial with proven osteoconductive functionalities. The objective of this study was to assess the in vivo bone regeneration functionalities of IBBM modified or not by an experimental MOE in sheep. MOE synthesis was performed by suspending nacre particles (0.05 g, diameters < 0.01 mm) in anhydrous acetic acid (pH 7, 5 mL, 25°C, 72 hours) using magnetic stirring. Polyethylene carriers (d= 5.0 mm, l= 10.0 mm, open ends) of negative control (sham) or experimental groups (IBBM or MOE-modified IBBM) were placed (n=3 conditions /animal; intramuscularly) adjacent to the lower spine of adult sheep (8 animals, » 45 Kg, 2 years old). Tissues were harvested (at 3 or 6 months) after implantation in preparation for histological (H), morphometrical (MM) and immunohistochemical analyses (IH; Wnt-3a, CD34, Vimentin and PREF-1). MM data were tested for normality and variance homogeneity using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests, and Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis, respectively. IM data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Differences (p < 0.05) were observed between experimental groups (IBBM and IBBM+MOE at both 3 and 6 months) and controls (sham) for total area; Differences were not found for presence of remnant particles among experimental groups. The highest formation of bone was observed with IBBM+MOE (6-months). No differences (p > 0.05) were found on IM analysis (CD34, Vimentin, PREF-1, Wnt3a). Results indicated that experimental materials (IBBM+MOE) display promising functionalities. Additional studies are necessary to define biomaterials’ longitudinal effects and long-term biocompatibility properties.
O ensino-aprendizagem de Botânica na visão dos estudantes de pré-vestibulares assistenciais de Itajubá - MG
Authors: Monteiro Vanessa da Fontoura Custódio , Ribeiro Silvia Arcanjo Carlos , Vieira Caroline Mayara Sampaio , Ribeiro Guilherme Guimarães , Nunes Lívia Helena Matos Ferreira , Moura Pedro Henrique Abreu
Published: May 2021

O ensino de Botânica é debatido como um desafio aos professores de Biologia. Considerada uma abordagem muito teórica, a Botânica é apontada como um conteúdo de difícil assimilação pelos estudantes. O fato é preocupante, pois além de fazer parte dos temas de provas nos vestibulares, entende-se a importância do seu conhecimento na formação crítica de um cidadão em relação a sua percepção ambiental. Objetivou-se, com o presente estudo, avaliar o ponto de vista dos estudantes, matriculados nos cursinhos pré-vestibulares assistenciais de Itajubá - MG, sobre o ensino-aprendizagem de Botânica. A abordagem adotada para a realização deste estudo foi a pesquisa quanti-qualitativa e o instrumento de investigação foi um questionário criado através da ferramenta Google Forms. Esse questionário foi respondido de forma anônima por 54 estudantes dos cursos pré-vestibulares: Cursinho Assistencial e Centro de Inteligência e Cultura (CACIC), Curso Assistencial Theodomiro Santiago (CATS) e Curso Assistencial Amigos de Itajubá (CAAI), no período de 01 a 20 de fevereiro de 2021. Apesar de grande parte dos estudantes ter curiosidade sobre as plantas, muitos também declararam dificuldades na aprendizagem dos conteúdos de Botânica, sendo reflexo de um ensino teórico e conteudista. A visão dos estudantes mostra a necessidade de tornar o ensino de Botânica mais prático e familiarizado com o cotidiano de todos.
Comportamento suicida na pandemia por COVID-19: Panorama geral
Authors: Nascimento Alice Barbosa , Maia Juliana Leal Freitas
Published: May 2021

O propósito deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento suicida durante a pandemia por COVID-19. Sendo assim, foi realizada uma busca nos bancos de dados do PubMed e Scielo com os artigos científicos publicados entre janeiro de 2020 e abril de 2021. Os descritores utilizados foram Suicide e Coronavírus. Após aplicar os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, foram selecionados 37 artigos. A maioria dos estudos revisados demonstrou que a pandemia exacerbou alguns fatores de risco para o comportamento suicida, como a presença de transtorno psiquiátrico associado, isolamento social, desemprego, uso de álcool, violência doméstica, estigma social, notícias negativas, doenças neurológicas, transtornos do sono, acesso restrito a serviços de saúde e outros. Dessa forma, espera-se um aumento proporcional nas taxas de comportamento suicida durante e após o cenário atual da COVID-19. Ainda são necessárias mais pesquisas na área que contribuam para o reconhecimento precoce de fatores de risco que interferem diretamente no comportamento suicida. É importante que novos estudos foquem no desenvolvimento de estratégias de enfrentamento mais definidas diante dessa problemática, a fim de minimizar o impacto social, econômico e na saúde pública referente ao aumento do comportamento suicida.
Mini-implantes associados à ancoragem ortodôntica para intrusão de molares: Uma revisão de literatura
Authors: Fursel Keven de Assis , Sousa Mateus José de , Oliveira Neto José Lopes de , Watanabe Rogerio
Published: May 2021

A perda dos dentes frequentemente leva à extrusão dos dentes antagonistas, o que resulta em interferência oclusal e espaço inadequado para restaurar o espaço protético. Um pré-requisito para tratar más oclusões dentárias e esqueléticas se faz lançando mão de ancoragens ortodônticas, definida simplesmente como uma resistência ao movimento dentário indesejado e é fundamentalmente a base para tratar vários distúrbios oclusais. A ancoragem é obtida através de aparelhos extra e intrabucais e dos próprios dentes, sendo estes métodos limitados, necessitando de outros dispositivos auxiliares, e um deles são os mini-implantes ou mini-parafusos. Por possuir diâmetro reduzido, os mini-implantes têm sua inserção facilitada o que amplia o leque de sítios de instalação, sendo eficientes no tratamento da extrusão. Portanto, os mini- implantes proporcionam menos efeitos colaterais, mais conforto, técnica simples de ser executada, mas que demanda planejamento prévio, custo baixo e aumenta a efetividade dos tratamentos ortodônticos e consequentemente sua previsibilidade terapêutica, diminua a necessidade de que haja colaboração do paciente, exceto na parte de higienização.
Pterygium - etiopathogenesis and modern methods of medical treatment (Literature review)
Authors:   Khabarovsk Branch of Eye Microsurgery Center named after S. N. Fyodorov under Health Ministry of Russia, Pilipenko A.D. , Yegorov V. V. ,   Postgraduate Institute for Public Health Workers under Health Ministry of Khabarovsk Krai, Smolyakova G.P. ,   Postgraduate Institute for Public Health Workers under Health Ministry of Khabarovsk Krai, Bochkaryova A.N. ,   Khabarovsk Branch of Eye Microsurgery Center named after S. N. Fyodorov under Health Ministry of Russia, Banshchikov P.A. ,   Khabarovsk Branch of Eye Microsurgery Center named after S. N. Fyodorov under Health Ministry of Russia
Published: May 2021

The review highlights modern views on the etiology and pathogenesis of pterygium, as well as discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of its surgical treatment. Currently, the main etiological factor in the development of the pterygium is considered to be the effect of ultraviolet radiation, which damages limbal stem cells and leads to a dysfunction of their barrier function. The influence of mutations in the p53 gene, as well as various cytokines and growth factors, is being actively discussed. The main problem of surgical treatment of pterygium remains the high rate of disease relapses. Methods of barrier plas-tics with the use of allo- and autografts are promising. There are reports of the use of a femtosecond laser to perform some stages of surgery.
Resource-use efficiency in US aquaculture: farm-level comparisons across fish species and production systems
Authors: Engle CR , Kumar G , van Senten J
Published: May 2021

Understanding farm-level efficiencies of resource use is critical in comparisons of the sustainability of aquaculture production systems. We developed a set of practical resource-use efficiency metrics to calculate and compare resource-use efficiency with resource-cost efficiency across major species and production systems in US aquaculture. Results showed that no one production system used all resources most efficiently. Intensive pond production of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus demonstrated the greatest efficiency in the use of water, energy, labor, management, and capital resources, while RAS production was most efficient in terms of land and feed use. Among the wide array of pond scenarios examined, more intensive scenarios generally were more efficient in terms of several metrics, but economic sustainability also depends upon business models that effectively meet differing demand requirements of customers. Thus, less intensive production systems were economically sustainable in areas with relatively abundant land and water resources available at lower cost. Labor efficiencies varied widely across scenarios analyzed. Given increasing concerns related to the availability of labor for aquaculture farming in the USA, greater attention to the efficiency of labor on farms is warranted. The metrics used were aligned with common farm management tools (e.g. enterprise budgets) that allow for ease of use by farms and researchers to assess effects on comparative resource-use efficiencies of new farming practices and technologies under development.
Conservation implications of demographic changes in the horse mussel Modiolus modiolus population of the inner Bay of Fundy
Authors: Sameoto JA , Hall K , Gass SE , Keith D , Kirchhoff S , Brown CJ
Published: May 2021

Horse musselsModiolus modioluscan occur in dense aggregations and form areas of ecological and biological significance. In the Bay of Fundy, Canada, aggregations of horse mussels are associated with flow parallel bedforms, and this area is under consideration for designation as a sensitive benthic area which would provide protective measures. Basic demographic information is required to inform the development of effective conservation and management strategies and although general life-history characteristics ofM. modiolusare known, detailed quantitative demographic information on this population is limited. The objective of this study was to characterize the population structure of horse mussels in the Bay of Fundy and assess change in key demographic characteristics since the last study in this area in 1997/1998. There have been significant changes in the population since 1998: the 2017 population contains larger, older, mature individuals, with significantly more females; 35% of the current population is over 20 yr of age. Direct evidence that this population has been impacted by bottom-contact fishing gear was also observed. Consistent withM. modioluspopulations worldwide, this population demonstrates life-history traits (e.g. slow growth rates, late age of maturity, long lifespan) that make it sensitive and susceptible to disturbance. Coupled with the knowledge that this population overlaps with significant fishing activity, this study supports the assumption that this population is vulnerable to bottom-contact fishing and that recovery from adverse impacts would be slow and uncertain.
Botulinum Toxins in Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology
Authors: Juhász Margit , Hosking Anna-Marie , Mesinkovska Natasha
Published: May 2021

Background: Botulinum toxin (BoNT), a bacterially produced neurotoxin, is a mainstay in the dermatologic armamentarium. Although BoNT is commonly used to treated rhytides associated with ageing, it can be employed for a variety of other cosmetic purposes and medical disorders.
Objective: In this review, the authors aim to describe the multitude of uses for BoNT in the dermatologic field.
Materials and Methods: This manuscript was designed as a retrospective review of the on- and off-label applications of BoNT in dermatology.Results: In addition to treatment of rhytides, BoNT has been shown to decrease rosacea, menopause-associated flushing, and facial sebum production, while improving patient confidence in their appearance. Furthermore, BoNT has been successfully used to treat primary hyperhidrosis, hair loss, aberrant scarring, Raynaud’s phenomenon-associated vasospasm, as well as a variety of skin diseases. Side effects of BoNT include pain or discomfort associated with injections during treatment, bruising, asymmetry, and swelling. Patients are generally satisfied with clinical results after BoNT treatment.
Conclusion: Dermatologists should be aware of all on- and off-label applications of BoNT to provide patients with timely and appropriate medical care. Further research must be completed to fully characterise the safety and use of BoNT for off-label purposes.
The Effect of Mobile Application Support for Postpartum Women on Postpartum Quality of Life
Authors: MALLI Pınar , BERKİTEN ERGİN Ayla
Published: May 2021

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of a mobile application prepared by midwives on postpartum quality of life, and to present a mobile training method for use by health care professionals.
Methods: The sample for this randomized controlled study consisted of 64 (experimental group = 32, control group = 32) postpartum women for whom inclusion criteria for participation in the study were that they presented to a private counseling center had the ability to use the internet and mobile applications. The study was conducted between March 1, 2018 and July 15, 2019. Data were collected using the Maternal
Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire (MAPPQOL) and the Web-based Education Software Scale (WBESS) to gather descriptive characteristics of the participants and obstetric data. Applicable statistical methods, which included Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman correlation test.
Results: The mean scores on the MAPPQOL for the control and experimental group were 21.99 ± 2.97 and 20.30 ± 4.33. There was nostatistically significant difference between the mean scores obtained by the two groups on the MAPPQOL (p = 0.073; p> 0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant relationship between the mean scores on the total MAPPQOL and the mean MAPPQOL subscale scores of the experimental group and the mean scores on the WBESS and the subscale scores of this scale (p> 0.05). It was found that the experimental group’s competence level of the mobile application (62.5 %, n = 32) was very good according to their WBESS mean score.
Conclusion: Postpartum quality of life score swere found to be higher in the postpartum patients who used the mobile application and it was observed that mobile application support increased postpartum quality of life. The scope was found to be valid this comprehensive mobile training model can be in recommended for use midwifery applications.
Contributions of the Endothelium to Vascular Calcification
Authors: Zhang Li , Yao Jiayi , Yao Yucheng , Boström Kristina I.
Published: May 2021

Vascular calcification (VC) increases morbidity and mortality and constitutes a significant obstacle during percutaneous interventions and surgeries. On a cellular and molecular level, VC is a highly regulated process that involves abnormal cell transitions and osteogenic differentiation, re-purposing of signaling pathways normally used in bone, and even formation of osteoclast-like cells. Endothelial cells have been shown to contribute to VC through a variety of means. This includes direct contributions of osteoprogenitor cells generated through endothelial-mesenchymal transitions in activated endothelium, with subsequent migration into the vessel wall. The endothelium also secretes pro-osteogenic growth factors, such as bone morphogenetic proteins, inflammatory mediators and cytokines in conditions like hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and renal failure. High phosphate levels caused by renal disease have deleterious effects on the endothelium, and induction of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase adds to the calcific process. Furthermore, endothelial activation promotes proteolytic destruction of the internal elastic lamina that serves, among other things, as a stabilizer of the endothelium. Appropriate bone mineralization is highly dependent on active angiogenesis, but it is unclear whether the same relationship exists in VC. Through its location facing the vascular lumen, the endothelium is the first to encounter circulating factor and bone marrow-derived cells that might contribute to osteoclast-like versus osteoblast-like cells in the vascular wall. In the same way, the endothelium may be the easiest target to reach with treatments aimed at limiting calcification. This review provides a brief summary of the contributions of the endothelium to VC as we currently know them.
Oncogenic Landscape of Somatic Mutations Perturbing Pan-Cancer lncRNA-ceRNA Regulation
Authors: Zhang Yuanfu , Han Peng , Guo Qiuyan , Hao Yangyang , Qi Yue , Xin Mengyu , Zhang Yafang , Cui Binbin , Wang Peng
Published: May 2021

Competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) are transcripts that communicate with and co-regulate each other by competing for the binding of shared microRNAs (miRNAs). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a type of ceRNA constitute a competitive regulatory network determined by miRNA response elements (MREs). Mutations in lncRNA MREs destabilize their original regulatory pathways. Study of the effects of lncRNA somatic mutations on ceRNA mechanisms can clarify tumor mechanisms and contribute to the development of precision medicine. Here, we used somatic mutation profiles collected from TCGA to characterize the role of lncRNA somatic mutations in the ceRNA regulatory network in 33 cancers. The 31,560 mutation sites identified by TargetScan and miRanda affected the balance of 70,811 ceRNA regulatory pathways. Putative mutations were categorized as high or low based on mutation frequencies. Multivariate multiple regression revealed a significant effect of 162 high-frequency mutations in six cancer types on the expression levels of target mRNAs (ceMs) through the ceRNA mechanism. Low-frequency mutations in multiple cancers perturbing 1624 ceM have been verified by Student’s t-test, indicating a significant mechanism of changes in the expression level of oncogenic genes. Oncogenic signaling pathway studies involving ceMs indicated functional heterogeneity of multiple cancers. Furthermore, we identified that lncRNA, perturbing ceMs associated with patient survival, have potential as biomarkers. Our collective findings revealed individual differences in somatic mutations perturbing ceM expression and impacting tumor heterogeneity.
The Inhibition of B7H3 by 2-HG Accumulation Is Associated With Downregulation of VEGFA in IDH Mutated Gliomas
Authors: Zhang Mengli , Zhang Huaichao , Fu Minjie , Zhang Jingwen , Zhang Cheng , Lv Yingying , Fan Fengfeng , Zhang Jinsen , Xu Hao , Ye Dan , Yang Hui , Hua Wei , Mao Ying
Published: May 2021

B7H3 (also known as CD276) is a co-stimulator checkpoint protein of the cell surface B7 superfamily. Recently, the function beyond immune regulation of B7H3 has been widely studied. However, the expression preference and the regulation mechanism underlying B7H3 in different subtypes of gliomas is rarely understood. We show here that B7H3 expression is significantly decreased in IDH-mutated gliomas and in cultured IDH1-R132H glioma cells. Accumulation of 2-HG leads to a remarkable downregulation of B7H3 protein and the activity of IDH1-R132H mutant is responsible for B7H3 reduction in glioma cells. Inhibition of autophagy by inhibitors like leupeptin, chloroquine (CQ), and Bafilomycin A1 (Baf-A1) blocks the degradation of B7H3 in glioma cells. In the meantime, the autophagy flux is more active with higher LC3B-II and lower p62 in IDH1-R132H glioma cells than in IDH1-WT cells. Furthermore, sequence alignment analysis reveals potential LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs “F-V-S/N-I/V” in B7H3. Moreover, B7H3 interacts with p62 and CQ treatment significantly enhances this interaction. Additionally, we find that B7H3 is positively correlated with VEGFA and MMP2 by bioinformatics analysis in gliomas. B7H3 and VEGFA are decreased in IDH-mutated gliomas and further reduced in 2-HGhigh gliomas compared to 2-HGlow glioma sections by IHC staining. Our study demonstrates that B7H3 is preferentially overexpressed in IDH wild-type gliomas and could serve as a potential theranostic target for the precise treatment of glioma patients with wild-type IDH.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Accuracy of Aortic Valve Calcium Scoring in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Boulif Jamila , Slimani Alisson , Lazam Siham , de Meester Christophe , Piérard Sophie , Pasquet Agnès , Pouleur Anne-Catherine , Vancraeynest David , El Khoury Gébrine , de Kerchove Laurent , Gerber Bernhard L. , Vanoverschelde Jean-Louis
Published: May 2021

Background: Assessing the true severity of aortic stenosis (AS) remains a challenge, particularly when echocardiography yields discordant results. Recent European and American guidelines recommend measuring aortic valve calcium (AVC) by multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) to improve this assessment.

Aim: To define, using a standardized MDCT scanning protocol, the optimal AVC load criteria for truly severe AS in patients with concordant echocardiographic findings, to establish the ability of these criteria to predict clinical outcomes, and to investigate their ability to delineate truly severe AS in patients with discordant echocardiographic AS grading.

Methods and Results: Two hundred and sixty-six patients with moderate-to-severe AS and normal LVEF prospectively underwent MDCT and Doppler-echocardiography to assess AS severity. In patients with concordant AS grading, ROC analysis identified optimal cut-off values for diagnosing severe AS using different AVC load criteria. In these patients, 4-year event-free survival was better with low AVC load (60–63%) by these criteria than with high AVC load (23–26%, log rank p < 0.001). Patients with discordant AS grading had higher AVC load than those with moderate AS but lower AVC load than those with severe high-gradient AS. Between 36 and 55% of patients with severe LG-AS met AVC load criteria for severe AS. Although AVC load predicted outcome in these patients as well, its prognostic impact was less than in patients with concordant AS grading.

Conclusions: Assessment of AVC load accurately identifies truly severe AS and provides powerful prognostic information. Our data further indicate that patients with discordant AS grading consist in a heterogenous group, as evidenced by their large range of AVC load. MDCT allows to differentiate between truly severe and pseudo-severe AS in this population as well, although the prognostic implications thereof are less pronounced than in patients with concordant AS grading.
Fault Triggering Mechanisms for Hydraulic Fracturing-Induced Seismicity From the Preston New Road, UK Case Study
Authors: Kettlety Tom , Verdon James P.
Published: May 2021

We investigate the physical mechanisms governing the activation of faults during hydraulic fracturing. Recent studies have debated the varying importance of different fault reactivation mechanisms in different settings. Pore pressure increase caused by injection is generally considered to be the primary driver of induced seismicity. However, in very tight reservoir rocks, unless a fracture network exists to act as a hydraulic conduit, the rate of diffusion may be too low to explain the spatio-temporal evolution of some microseismic sequences. Thus, elastic and poroelastic stress transfer and aseismic slip have been invoked to explain observations of events occurring beyond the expected distance of a reasonable diffusive front. In this study we use the high quality microseismic data acquired during hydraulic fracturing at the Preston New Road (PNR) wells, Lancashire, UK, to examine fault triggering mechanisms. Injection through both wells generated felt induced seismicity—an ML 1.6 during PNR-1z injection in 2018 and an ML 2.9 during PNR-2 in 2019—and the microseismic observations show that each operation activated different faults with different orientations. Previous studies have already shown that PNR-1z seismicity was triggered by a combination of both direct hydraulic effects and elastic stress transfer generated by hydraulic fracture opening. Here we perform a similar analysis of the PNR-2 seismicity, finding that the PNR-2 fault triggering was mostly likely dominated by the diffusion of increased fluid pressure through a secondary zone of hydraulic fractures. However, elastic stress transfer caused by hydraulic fracture opening would have also acted to promote slip. It is significant that no microseismicity was observed on the previously activated fault during PNR-2 operations. This dataset therefore provides a unique opportunity to estimate the minimum perturbation required to activate the fault. As it appears that there was no hydraulic connection between them during each stimulation, any perturbation caused to the PNR-1z fault by PNR-2 stimulation must be through elastic or poroelastic stress transfer. As such, by computing the stress transfer created by PNR-2 stimulation onto the PNR-1z fault, we are able to approximate the minimum bound for the required stress perturbation: in excess of 0.1 MPa, orders of magnitude larger than stated estimates of a generalized triggering threshold.
Using Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy as a High Throughput Method for Quantifying Soil C and N and Their Distribution in Particulate and Mineral-Associated Organic Matter Fractions
Authors: Ramírez Paulina B. , Calderón Francisco J. , Haddix Michelle , Lugato Emanuele , Cotrufo M. Francesca
Published: May 2021

Large-scale quantification of soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks and their distribution between particulate (POM) and mineral-associated (MAOM) organic matter is deemed necessary to develop land management strategies to mitigate climate change and sustain food production. To this end, diffuse reflectance mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) coupled with partial least square (PLS) analysis has been proposed as a promising method because of its low labor and cost, high throughput and the potential to estimate multiple soil attributes. In this paper, we applied MIR spectroscopy to predict C and N content in bulk soils, and in POM and MAOM, as well as soil properties influencing soil C storage. A heterogeneous dataset including 349 topsoil samples were collected under different soil types, land use and climate conditions across the European Union and the United Kingdom. The samples were analyzed for various soil properties to determine the feasibility of developing MIR-based predictive calibrations. We obtained accurate predictions for total soil C and N content, MAOM C and N content, pH, clay, and sand (R2> 0.7; RPD>1.8). In contrast, POM C and N content were predicted with lower accuracies due to non-linear dependencies, suggesting the need for additional calibration across similar soils. Furthermore, the information provided by MIR spectroscopy was able to differentiate spectral bands and patterns across different C pools. The strength of the correlation between C pools, minerals, and C functional groups was land use-dependent, suggesting that the use of this approach for long-term soil C monitoring programs should use land-use specific calibrations.
Microbial Small RNAs – The Missing Link in the Nitrogen Cycle?
Authors: Moeller Sophie , Payá Gloria , Bonete María-José , Gates Andrew J. , Richardson David J. , Esclapez Julia , Rowley Gary
Published: May 2021

Non-coding small RNAs (sRNAs) regulate a wide range of physiological processes in microorganisms that allow them to rapidly respond to changes in environmental conditions. sRNAs have predominantly been studied in a few model organisms, however it is becoming increasingly clear that sRNAs play a crucial role in environmentally relevant pathways. Several sRNAs have been shown to control important enzymatic processes within the nitrogen cycle and many more have been identified in model nitrogen cycling organisms that remain to be characterized. Alongside these studies meta-transcriptomic data indicates both known and putative sRNA are expressed in microbial communities and are potentially linked to changes in environmental processes in these habitats. This review describes the current picture of the function of regulatory sRNAs in the nitrogen cycle. Anthropogenic influences have led to a shift in the nitrogen cycle resulting in an increase in microbial emissions of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere. As the genetic, physiological, and environmental factors regulating the microbial processes responsible for the production and consumption of N2O are not fully understood, this represents a critical knowledge gap in the development of future mitigation strategies.
Evidence for the Impact of Climate Change on Primary Producers in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Pinkerton Matthew H. , Boyd Philip W. , Deppeler Stacy , Hayward Alex , Höfer Juan , Moreau Sebastien
Published: May 2021

Within the framework of the Marine Ecosystem Assessment for the Southern Ocean (MEASO), this paper brings together analyses of recent trends in phytoplankton biomass, primary production and irradiance at the base of the mixed layer in the Southern Ocean and summarises future projections. Satellite observations suggest that phytoplankton biomass in the mixed-layer has increased over the last 20 years in most (but not all) parts of the Southern Ocean, whereas primary production at the base of the mixed-layer has likely decreased over the same period. Different satellite models of primary production (Vertically Generalised versus Carbon Based Production Models) give different patterns and directions of recent change in net primary production (NPP). At present, the satellite record is not long enough to distinguish between trends and climate-related cycles in primary production. Over the next 100 years, Earth system models project increasing NPP in the water column in the MEASO northern and Antarctic zones but decreases in the Subantarctic zone. Low confidence in these projections arises from: (1) the difficulty in mapping supply mechanisms for key nutrients (silicate, iron); and (2) understanding the effects of multiple stressors (including irradiance, nutrients, temperature, pCO2, pH, grazing) on different species of Antarctic phytoplankton. Notwithstanding these uncertainties, there are likely to be changes to the seasonal patterns of production and the microbial community present over the next 50–100 years and these changes will have ecological consequences across Southern Ocean food-webs, especially on key species such as Antarctic krill and silverfish.
Environmental DNA Metabarcoding for Simultaneous Monitoring and Ecological Assessment of Many Harmful Algae
Authors: Jacobs-Palmer Emily , Gallego Ramón , Cribari Kelly , Keller Abigail G. , Kelly Ryan P.
Published: May 2021

Harmful algae can have profound economic, environmental, and social consequences. As the timing, frequency, and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) change alongside global climate, efficient tools to monitor and understand the current ecological context of these taxa are increasingly important. Here we employ environmental DNA metabarcoding to identify patterns in a wide variety of potentially harmful algae and associated ecological communities in the Hood Canal of Puget Sound in Washington State, USA. Tracking trends of occurrence in a series of water samples over a period of 19 months, we find algal sequences from genera with harmful members in a majority of samples, suggesting that these groups are routinely present in local waters. We report patterns in variants of the economically important genus Pseudo-nitzschia (of which some members produce domoic acid; family Bacillariaceae), as well as multiple potentially harmful algal taxa previously unknown or poorly documented in the region, including a cold-water variant from the genus Alexandrium (of which some members produce saxitoxin; family Gonyaulacaceae), two variants from the genus Karlodinium (of which some members produce karlotoxins; family Kareniaceae), and one variant from the parasitic genus Hematodinium (family Syndiniaceae). We then use data on environmental variables and the biological community surrounding each algal taxon to illustrate the ecological context in which they are commonly found. Environmental DNA metabarcoding thus simultaneously (1) alerts us to potential new or cryptic occurrences of algae from harmful genera, (2) expands our knowledge of the co-occurring conditions and species associated with the growth of these organisms in changing marine environments, and (3) suggests a pathway for multispecies monitoring and management moving forward.
Moose Habitat Selection and Fitness Consequences During Two Critical Winter Tick Life Stages in Vermont, United States†
Authors: Blouin Joshua , DeBow Jacob , Rosenblatt Elias , Hines James , Alexander Cedric , Gieder Katherina , Fortin Nicholas , Murdoch James , Donovan Therese
Published: May 2021

The moose (Alces alces) is a charismatic species in decline across much of their southern distribution in North America. In the northeastern United States, much of the reduction has been attributed to winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) infestations. Winter ticks are fairly immobile throughout all life stages, and therefore their distribution patterns at any given time are shaped largely by the occurrence of moose across the landscape during the peak of two critical time periods: fall questing (when ticks latch onto moose) and spring drop-off (when engorged female ticks detach from moose). We used recent land cover and lidar data within a dynamic occupancy modeling framework to estimate first-order habitat selection (use vs. non-use) of female moose (n= 74) during the tick questing and drop-off periods. Patch extinction and colonization rates between the fall questing and spring drop-off periods were strongly influenced by habitat and elevation, but these effects were diminished during the fall questing period when moose were more active across the landscape. From the fall questing period to the spring drop-off period, patches where colonization was high and extinction was low had higher proportions of young (shrub/forage) mixed forest at higher elevations. Further, we evaluated the fitness consequences of habitat selection by adult females during the fall questing period, when females and their calves acquire ticks. We compared Resource Selection Functions (RSF) for five females that successfully reared a calf to age 1 with five females whose calves perished due to ticks. Adult female moose whose offspring perished selected habitats in the fall that spatially coincided with areas of high occupancy probability during the spring tick drop-off period. In contrast, adult female moose whose offspring survived selected areas where the probability of occupancy during the spring drop-off was low; at present, natural selection may favor female adults who do not select the same habitats in fall as in spring. Our model coefficients and mapped results define “hotspots” that are likely encouraging the deleterious effects of the tick-moose cycle. These findings fill knowledge gaps about moose habitat selection that may improve the effectiveness of management aimed at reversing declining population trends.
Sensitivity of Tropical Insectivorous Birds to the Anthropocene: A Review of Multiple Mechanisms and Conservation Implications
Authors: Sherry Thomas W.
Published: May 2021

Epigraph: “The house is burning. We do not need a thermometer. We need a fire hose.” (P. 102, Janzen and Hallwachs, 2019). Insectivorous birds are declining widely, and for diverse reasons. Tropical insectivorous birds, more than 60% of all tropical birds, are particularly sensitive to human disturbances including habitat loss and fragmentation, intensive agriculture and pesticide use, and climate change; and the mechanisms are incompletely understood. This review addresses multiple, complementary and sometimes synergistic explanations for tropical insectivore declines, by categorizing explanations into ultimate vs. proximate, and direct versus indirect. Ultimate explanations are diverse human Anthropocene activities and the evolutionary history of these birds. This evolutionary history, synthesized by the Biotic Challenge Hypothesis (BCH), explains tropical insectivorous birds' vulnerabilities to many proximate threats as a function of both these birds' evolutionary feeding specialization and poor dispersal capacity. These traits were favored evolutionarily by both the diversity of insectivorous clades competing intensely for prey and co-evolution with arthropods over long evolutionary time periods. More proximate, ecological threats include bottom-up forces like declining insect populations, top-down forces like meso-predator increases, plus the Anthropocene activities underlying these factors, especially habitat loss and fragmentation, agricultural intensification, and climate change. All these conditions peak in the lowland, mainland Neotropics, where insectivorous bird declines have been repeatedly documented, but also occur in other tropical locales and continents. This multiplicity of interacting evolutionary and ecological factors informs conservation implications and recommendations for tropical insectivorous birds: (1) Why they are so sensitive to global change phenomena is no longer enigmatic, (2) distinguishing ultimate versus proximate stressors matters, (3) evolutionary life-histories predispose these birds to be particularly sensitive to the Anthropocene, (4) tropical regions and continents vary with respect to these birds' ecological sensitivity, (5) biodiversity concepts need stronger incorporation of species' evolutionary histories, (6) protecting these birds will require more, larger reserves for multiple reasons, and (7) these birds have greater value than generally recognized.
Multi-Criteria Frameworks to Improve Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Environmental Governance in the Amazon
Authors: Morales-Giner Pilar , Speranza Martina Laura , Arteaga Marliz , Baudoin Farah Andrea , Ferreira da Fonseca Junior Sinomar , García Villacorta Angélica , Rosero Peña Martha , Perz Stephen
Published: May 2021

In the Amazon, environmental governance (EG) is an important multi-stakeholder approach to the sustainable management of natural resources. There is by now a large theoretical literature on the many requirements for effective EG. There is also extensive empirical literature on EG in the Amazon. While empirical work in the Amazon has advanced our understanding of EG, it also has important limitations. There remains a need to unpack the many requirements for effective EG to identify violations of governance criteria to explain cases where EG is ineffective. There is also a need for multi-case comparative analyses of EG across diverse parts of the Amazon to identify common explanations for ineffective EG. Therefore, we review multi-criteria frameworks for the evaluation of EG, noting their contributions and differences. We draw on three recent frameworks for evaluating EG to suggest an integrated framework that can be applied to multiple cases for comparative evaluation. We argue that the use of an integrated framework for the identification of violations of specific criteria for effective EG can guide targeted conservation action. We then briefly discuss five study cases in the Amazon to outline how we could apply the integrated framework to identify unmet criteria to account for ineffective EG. We identify commonly unmet criteria for ineffective EG across the five cases. The identification of common criteria violated across cases can provide a basis for broader conservation strategies to improve EG.