bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrocarbon reservoir delineation using simultaneous and elastic impedance inversions in a Niger Delta field
Authors: Adesanya Oluwakemi Y. , Adeoti Lukumon , Oyedele Kayode F. , Afinotan Itsemode P. , Oyeniran Taiwo , Alli Saheed
Published: June 2021

The global energy demand is increasing while production from mature fields is drastically reducing consequently, oil and gas industries are expanding activities into more challenging areas. The inability of the traditional seismic data to properly delineate hydrocarbon reservoirs from subtle seismic features in ‘Sandfish’ field located offshore, Niger Delta informed the use of simultaneous and elastic impedance inversion. The elastic and derived volumes from seismic inversion would reduce risk, enhance hydrocarbon discovery and optimize development plans in the study area. Four ‘Sandfish’ (Sfn) wells (Sfn-01, Sfn-02, Sfn-04 and Sfn-05), check-shots and 3D seismic data of five angle stacks (6–12°, 12–18°, 18–26°, 26–32° and 32–42°) were used in the study. Low frequency (0–2 Hz) models were generated from interpolation of high-cut-filtered compressional wave velocity log (P-sonic), shear wave velocity log (S-sonic) and density log guided by interpreted four seismic horizons. The low frequency models broaden the spectrum of the elastic volumes and also served as inversion constraints. The five partial angle stacks varying from 6–42° were simultaneously inverted using Jason’s Rock-Trace® inversion software which iterated trial inversions until the model sufficiently matched the seismic data. The near (6–12°) angle and far-far (32–42°) angle stacks were also inverted and compared with the inverted volumes from the simultaneous inversion. This was carried out to determine the effectiveness of near and far-far elastic impedance volume in delineating hydrocarbon reservoirs. The inverted elastic volumes P-impedance (ZP), S-impedance (ZS), density (ρ), near and far-far elastic and derived volumes lambda-rho (λρ), mu-rho (µρ), Poisson’s-ratio (σ) reveal vertical and lateral continuity of the reservoirs identified (K01, N01 and P01) at 2179 m, 2484 m and 3048 m, respectively. The delineated reservoirs showed good match with the sand tops away from the well control validated by a blind well test. The cross-plot of inverted ZPfrom simultaneous inversion and well ZPgave correlation coefficient of 86% indicative of high quality inverted volume which will reduce exploration risk. The plot of inverted ZPfrom simultaneous inversion and inverted far-far elastic volume reflected 82% correlation coefficient indicating that this method could be adopted in other fields with limited data and similar geological setting. Hence, the study has shown the efficacy of elastic volumes in delineating hydrocarbon reservoirs which can help locate optimum region for development wells.
Methods and Data Analysis for Cross-Cultural Research
Authors: van de Vijver Fons J. R. , Leung Kwok
Published: June 2021

This book gives an up-to-date overview of methodological and data-analytical issues of cross-cultural studies. Written by leading experts in the field, it presents the most important tools for doing cross-cultural research and outlines design considerations, methods, and analytical techniques that can improve ecological validity and help researchers to avoid pitfalls in cross-cultural psychology. By focusing on the relevant research questions that can be tackled with particular methods, it provides practical guidance on how to translate conceptual questions into decisions on study design and statistical techniques. Featuring examples from cognitive and educational assessment, personality, health, and intercultural communication and management, and illustrating key techniques in feature boxes, this concise and accessible guide is essential reading for researchers, graduate students, and professionals who work with culture-comparative data.
Effects of coworker's idiosyncratic deals on witness's creative process engagement: roles of responsibility for change and perceived exploitative leadership
Authors: Huang Jie , Tang Chunyong
Published: June 2021

Emerging research in the idiosyncratic deals literature is to examine its negative effects. Thus far, much remains unknown about how and when idiosyncratic deals are associated with employee creative process engagement. Invoking fairness heuristic theory and trait activation theory, we propose and test a model that coworker's idiosyncratic deals have a negative association with witness's creative process engagement through psychological contract violation. Furthermore, we theorize and test the combination of the responsibility for change and perceived exploitative leadership as important boundary conditions, associate interact with coworker's idiosyncratic deals to strengthen the positive impact on psychological contract violation, thereby reducing witness's creative process engagement. We use two time-lagged studies to provide support for these mediation and moderation effects, and also discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Securitizing Borders: The Case of South Tyrol
Authors: Carlà Andrea
Published: June 2021

Situated at the interplay between ethnic politics, migration, border, and security studies, this contribution analyzes processes of securitization of borders in South Tyrol, an Italian province bordering Austria and Switzerland with a German- and Ladin-speaking population and a past of ethnic tensions. South Tyrol is considered a model for fostering peaceful interethnic relations thanks to a complex power-sharing system. However, the arrival of migrants from foreign countries and the more recent influx of asylum seekers have revitalized debates around the borders between South Tyrol/Italy and Austria and among South Tyrolean linguistic groups. The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought further complexity to the issue. I use the concept of securitization—the process through which an issue is considered as an existential threat requiring exceptional measures—in order to understand why and how borders become exclusionary and restrictive, shaping dynamics of othering. With this framework, the article explores how South Tyrolean borders have been subjected to (de)securitizing and resecuritizing moves in discourses and practices. In this way, I shed new light on debates on the articulation of borders and interethnic relations that are occurring due to recent international migration, consolidation of nationalist agendas, and the current pandemic.
Navigating Ethnicity: Collective Identities and Movement Framing in Deeply Divided Societies
Authors: Milan Chiara
Published: June 2021

This article explores collective identity frames and discursive strategies employed by social movement actors mobilizing in ethnically divided societies, a context where ethnicity constitutes the primary collective category of identification. By using Bosnia and Herzegovina as a case study, it analyzes movement framing in three waves of social protests that occurred in the country in the last decade. Specifically, it investigates the diverse ways in which movement leaders tackled ethnicity in their discourses. The article shows that movement leaders’ narratives rested, respectively, on the primacy of human and citizenship rights, a common feeling of deprivation, and victimhood. Their approach toward ethnicity, however, differed in each wave. Ethnicity was openly rejected in 2013, avoided and not openly contested in 2014, and accepted and approached as an opportunity to bring further support to the movement in 2018. The article highlights that ethnicity can be tackled differently by social movement actors mobilizing on nonethnic grounds in divided societies, and that it might constitute a vantage point for social mobilization rather than a drawback, contributing to raising transversal solidarity.
Executive Power in Crisis
Authors: LOWANDE KENNETH , ROGOWSKI JON C.
Published: June 2021

Major crises can threaten political regimes by empowering demagogues and promoting authoritarian rule. While existing research argues that national emergencies weaken formal checks on executive authority and increase public appetites for strong leadership, no research evaluates whether crises increase mass support for the president’s institutional authority. We study this question in the context of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic with an experiment embedded in a national survey of more than 8,000 U.S. adults. We find no evidence that the public evaluated policies differently if they were implemented via unilateral power rather than through the legislative process, nor did the severity of the pandemic at either the state, local, or individual levels moderate evaluations of executive power. Instead, individuals’ partisan and ideological views were consistently strong predictors of policy attitudes. Perhaps paradoxically, our results suggest that elite and mass polarization limit the opportunity for crises to promote public acceptance of strengthened executive authority.
Money Doctors and Latin American Central Banks at the Onset of the Great Depression
Authors: Flores Zendejas Juan
Published: June 2021

Many of today's central banks in Latin America were established in the interwar period. During the 1920s, most of them were designed under the influence of money doctors. The main mandate of these new institutions was to cope with inflation and provide exchange stability. This article analyses how these central banks responded to the onset of the Great Depression. I show that, in accordance with the requirements of the monetary regime, central banks initially acted to prevent capital outflows and to protect their gold reserves. This led to a credit drop to the private sector. Additional credit was made available once governments decided to intervene more actively in the economy, thereby disregarding the advice of money doctors. The central banks that were founded in the 1930s, and the reforms introduced to those already operating, were conceived to face the effects of the crisis.
Internalizing symptoms, well-being, and correlates in adolescence: A multiverse exploration via cross-lagged panel network models
Authors: Black Louise , Panayiotou Margarita , Humphrey Neil
Published: June 2021

Internalizing symptoms are the most prevalent mental health problem in adolescents, with sharp increases seen, particularly for girls, and evidence that young people today report more problems than previous generations. It is therefore critical to measure and monitor these states on a large scale and consider correlates. We used novel panel network methodology to explore relationships between internalizing symptoms, well-being, and inter/intrapersonal indicators. A multiverse design was used with 32 conditions to consider the stability of results across arbitrary researcher decisions in a large community sample over three years (N= 15,843, aged 11–12 at Time 1). Networks were consistently similar for girls and boys. Stable trait-like effects within anxiety, attentional, and social indicators were found. Within-person networks were densely connected and suggested mental health and inter/intrapersonal correlates related to one another in similar complex ways. The multiverse design suggested the particular operationalization of items can substantially influence conclusions. Nevertheless, indicators such as thinking clearly, unhappiness, dealing with stress, and worry showed more consistent centrality, suggesting these indicators may play particularly important roles in the development of mental health in adolescence.
Clothing the New Poor Law workhouse in the nineteenth century
Authors: Jones Peter , King Steven , Thompson Karen
Published: June 2021

The workhouse remains a totemic institution for social historians, yet we still know very little about the day-to-day experiences of the indoor poor. Nowhere is this clearer than in discussions about workhouse clothing, which remain overwhelmingly negative in the literature and consistent with the predominant view of the workhouse as a place of suffering and humiliation. Yet more often than not, this view is based on relatively shallow empirical foundations and tends to rely on anecdotal evidence or on the uncritical use of subjective sources such as photographs, newspaper editorials and other cultural products. This article takes a different approach by looking again at the whole range of meanings that workhouse clothing held for paupers and those who oversaw its allocation, and at the practical and symbolic usages to which it was put by them. On the basis of this evidence the authors argue that, contrary to the orthodox view, workhouse clothing was rarely intended to be degrading or stigmatising; that it would have held very different meanings for different classes of paupers; and that, far from being a source of unbridled misery, paupers often found it to be a source of great strategic and practical value.
Singularity of sparse random matrices: simple proofs
Authors: Ferber Asaf , Kwan Matthew , Sauermann Lisa
Published: June 2021

Consider a random $n\times n$ zero-one matrix with ‘sparsity’ p, sampled according to one of the following two models: either every entry is independently taken to be one with probability p (the ‘Bernoulli’ model) or each row is independently uniformly sampled from the set of all length-n zero-one vectors with exactly pn ones (the ‘combinatorial’ model). We give simple proofs of the (essentially best-possible) fact that in both models, if $\min(p,1-p)\geq (1+\varepsilon)\log n/n$ for any constant $\varepsilon>0$, then our random matrix is nonsingular with probability $1-o(1)$. In the Bernoulli model, this fact was already well known, but in the combinatorial model this resolves a conjecture of Aigner-Horev and Person.
Structural and compositional analysis of (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs/GaP Stranski–Krastanov quantum dots
Authors: Gajjela Raja S. R. , Hendriks Arthur L. , Douglas James O. , Sala Elisa M. , Steindl Petr , Klenovský Petr , Bagot Paul A. J. , Moody Michael P. , Bimberg Dieter , Koenraad Paul M.
Published: June 2021

We investigated metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy grown (InGa)(AsSb)/GaAs/GaP Stranski–Krastanov quantum dots (QDs) with potential applications in QD-Flash memories by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy (X-STM) and atom probe tomography (APT). The combination of X-STM and APT is a very powerful approach to study semiconductor heterostructures with atomic resolution, which provides detailed structural and compositional information on the system. The rather small QDs are found to be of truncated pyramid shape with a very small top facet and occur in our sample with a very high density of ∼4 × 1011 cm−2. APT experiments revealed that the QDs are GaAs rich with smaller amounts of In and Sb. Finite element (FE) simulations are performed using structural data from X-STM to calculate the lattice constant and the outward relaxation of the cleaved surface. The composition of the QDs is estimated by combining the results from X-STM and the FE simulations, yielding ∼InxGa1 − xAs1 − ySby, where x = 0.25–0.30 and y = 0.10–0.15. Noticeably, the reported composition is in good agreement with the experimental results obtained by APT, previous optical, electrical, and theoretical analysis carried out on this material system. This confirms that the InGaSb and GaAs layers involved in the QD formation have strongly intermixed. A detailed analysis of the QD capping layer shows the segregation of Sb and In from the QD layer, where both APT and X-STM show that the Sb mainly resides outside the QDs proving that Sb has mainly acted as a surfactant during the dot formation. Our structural and compositional analysis provides a valuable insight into this novel QD system and a path for further growth optimization to improve the storage time of the QD-Flash memory devices.
METTL14 promotes tumorigenesis by regulating lncRNA OIP5-AS1/miR-98/ADAMTS8 signaling in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaoping , Li Dan , Jia Chengyou , Cai Haidong , Lv Zhongwei , Wu Bo
Published: June 2021

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of cancer of the endocrine system. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as a novel class of gene expression regulators associated with tumorigenesis. Through preexisting databases available for differentially expressed lncRNAs in PTC, we uncovered that lncRNA OIP5-AS1 was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues. However, the function and the underlying mechanism of OIP5-AS1 in PTC are poorly understood.

Methods

Expression of lncRNA OIP5-AS1 and miR-98 in PTC tissue and cells were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). And expression of METTL14 and ADAMTS8 in PTC tissue and cells were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. The biological functions of METTL14, OIP5-AS1, and ADAMTS8 were examined using MTT, colony formation, transwell, and wound healing assays in PTC cells. The relationship between METTL14 and OIP5-AS1 were evaluated using RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull down assay. And the relationship between miR-98 and ADAMTS8 were examined by luciferase reporter assay. For in vivo experiments, a xenograft model was used to investigate the effects of OIP5-AS1 and ADAMTS8 in PTC.

Results

Functional validation revealed that OIP5-AS1 overexpression promotes PTC cell proliferation, migration/invasion in vitro and in vivo, while OIP5-AS1 knockdown shows an opposite effect. Mechanistically, OIP5-AS1 acts as a target of miR-98, which activates ADAMTS8. OIP5-AS1 promotes PTC cell progression through miR-98/ADAMTS8 and EGFR, MEK/ERK pathways. Furthermore, RIP and RNA pull down assays identified OIP5-AS1 as the downstream target of METTL14. Overexpression of METTL14 suppresses PTC cell proliferation and migration/invasion through inhibiting OIP5-AS1 expression and regulating EGFR, MEK/ERK pathways.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings demonstrate that OIP5-AS1 is a METTL14-regulated lncRNA that plays an important role in PTC progression and offers new insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying PTC development.
Learning mutational signatures and their multidimensional genomic properties with TensorSignatures
Authors: Vöhringer Harald , Hoeck Arne Van , Cuppen Edwin , Gerstung Moritz
Published: June 2021

We present TensorSignatures, an algorithm to learn mutational signatures jointly across different variant categories and their genomic localisation and properties. The analysis of 2778 primary and 3824 metastatic cancer genomes of the PCAWG consortium and the HMF cohort shows that all signatures operate dynamically in response to genomic states. The analysis pins differential spectra of UV mutagenesis found in active and inactive chromatin to global genome nucleotide excision repair. TensorSignatures accurately characterises transcription-associated mutagenesis in 7 different cancer types. The algorithm also extracts distinct signatures of replication- and double strand break repair-driven mutagenesis by APOBEC3A and 3B with differential numbers and length of mutation clusters. Finally, TensorSignatures reproduces a signature of somatic hypermutation generating highly clustered variants at transcription start sites of active genes in lymphoid leukaemia, distinct from a general and less clustered signature of Polη-driven translesion synthesis found in a broad range of cancer types. In summary, TensorSignatures elucidates complex mutational footprints by characterising their underlying processes with respect to a multitude of genomic variables.
Structural basis of mechano-chemical coupling by the mitotic kinesin KIF14
Authors: Benoit Matthieu P.M.H. , Asenjo Ana B. , Paydar Mohammadjavad , Dhakal Sabin , Kwok Benjamin H. , Sosa Hernando
Published: June 2021

KIF14 is a mitotic kinesin whose malfunction is associated with cerebral and renal developmental defects and several cancers. Like other kinesins, KIF14 couples ATP hydrolysis and microtubule binding to the generation of mechanical work, but the coupling mechanism between these processes is still not fully clear. Here we report 20 high-resolution (2.7–3.9 Å) cryo-electron microscopy KIF14-microtubule structures with complementary functional assays. Analysis procedures were implemented to separate coexisting conformations of microtubule-bound monomeric and dimeric KIF14 constructs. The data provide a comprehensive view of the microtubule and nucleotide induced KIF14 conformational changes. It shows that: 1) microtubule binding, the nucleotide species, and the neck-linker domain govern the transition between three major conformations of the motor domain; 2) an undocked neck-linker prevents the nucleotide-binding pocket to fully close and dampens ATP hydrolysis; 3) 13 neck-linker residues are required to assume a stable docked conformation; 4) the neck-linker position controls the hydrolysis rather than the nucleotide binding step; 5) the two motor domains of KIF14 dimers adopt distinct conformations when bound to the microtubule; and 6) the formation of the two-heads-bound-state introduces structural changes in both motor domains of KIF14 dimers. These observations provide the structural basis for a coordinated chemo-mechanical kinesin translocation model.
4D analysis of malaria parasite invasion offers insights into erythrocyte membrane remodeling and parasitophorous vacuole formation
Authors: Geoghegan Niall D. , Evelyn Cindy , Whitehead Lachlan W. , Pasternak Michal , McDonald Phoebe , Triglia Tony , Marapana Danushka S. , Kempe Daryan , Thompson Jennifer K. , Mlodzianoski Michael J. , Healer Julie , Biro Maté , Cowman Alan F. , Rogers Kelly L.
Published: June 2021

Host membrane remodeling is indispensable for viruses, bacteria, and parasites, to subvert the membrane barrier and obtain entry into cells. The malaria parasite Plasmodium spp. induces biophysical and molecular changes to the erythrocyte membrane through the ordered secretion of its apical organelles. To understand this process and address the debate regarding how the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) is formed, we developed an approach using lattice light-sheet microscopy, which enables the parasite interaction with the host cell membrane to be tracked and characterized during invasion. Our results show that the PVM is predominantly formed from the erythrocyte membrane, which undergoes biophysical changes as it is remodeled across all stages of invasion, from pre-invasion through to PVM sealing. This approach enables a functional interrogation of parasite-derived lipids and proteins in PVM biogenesis and echinocytosis during Plasmodium falciparum invasion and promises to yield mechanistic insights regarding how this is more generally orchestrated by other intracellular pathogens.
Momentum-space signatures of Berry flux monopoles in the Weyl semimetal TaAs
Authors: Ünzelmann M. , Bentmann H. , Figgemeier T. , Eck P. , Neu J. N. , Geldiyev B. , Diekmann F. , Rohlf S. , Buck J. , Hoesch M. , Kalläne M. , Rossnagel K. , Thomale R. , Siegrist T. , Sangiovanni G. , Sante D. Di , Reinert F.
Published: June 2021

Since the early days of Dirac flux quantization, magnetic monopoles have been sought after as a potential corollary of quantized electric charge. As opposed to magnetic monopoles embedded into the theory of electromagnetism, Weyl semimetals (WSM) exhibit Berry flux monopoles in reciprocal parameter space. As a function of crystal momentum, such monopoles locate at the crossing point of spin-polarized bands forming the Weyl cone. Here, we report momentum-resolved spectroscopic signatures of Berry flux monopoles in TaAs as a paradigmatic WSM. We carried out angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy at bulk-sensitive soft X-ray energies (SX-ARPES) combined with photoelectron spin detection and circular dichroism. The experiments reveal large spin- and orbital-angular-momentum (SAM and OAM) polarizations of the Weyl-fermion states, resulting from the broken crystalline inversion symmetry in TaAs. Supported by first-principles calculations, our measurements image signatures of a topologically non-trivial winding of the OAM at the Weyl nodes and unveil a chirality-dependent SAM of the Weyl bands. Our results provide directly bulk-sensitive spectroscopic support for the non-trivial band topology in the WSM TaAs, promising to have profound implications for the study of quantum-geometric effects in solids.
Fluctuation spectra of large random dynamical systems reveal hidden structure in ecological networks
Authors: Krumbeck Yvonne , Yang Qian , Constable George W. A. , Rogers Tim
Published: June 2021

Understanding the relationship between complexity and stability in large dynamical systems—such as ecosystems—remains a key open question in complexity theory which has inspired a rich body of work developed over more than fifty years. The vast majority of this theory addresses asymptotic linear stability around equilibrium points, but the idea of ‘stability’ in fact has other uses in the empirical ecological literature. The important notion of ‘temporal stability’ describes the character of fluctuations in population dynamics, driven by intrinsic or extrinsic noise. Here we apply tools from random matrix theory to the problem of temporal stability, deriving analytical predictions for the fluctuation spectra of complex ecological networks. We show that different network structures leave distinct signatures in the spectrum of fluctuations, and demonstrate the application of our theory to the analysis of ecological time-series data of plankton abundances.
Proteome-wide prediction of bacterial carbohydrate-binding proteins as a tool for understanding commensal and pathogen colonisation of the vaginal microbiome
Authors: Bonnardel François , Haslam Stuart M. , Dell Anne , Feizi Ten , Liu Yan , Tajadura-Ortega Virginia , Akune Yukie , Sykes Lynne , Bennett Phillip R. , MacIntyre David A. , Lisacek Frédérique , Imberty Anne
Published: June 2021

Bacteria use carbohydrate-binding proteins (CBPs), such as lectins and carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs), to anchor to specific sugars on host surfaces. CBPs in the gut microbiome are well studied, but their roles in the vagina microbiome and involvement in sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer and preterm birth are largely unknown. We established a classification system for lectins and designed Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profiles for data mining of bacterial genomes, resulting in identification of >100,000 predicted bacterial lectins available at unilectin.eu/bacteria. Genome screening of 90 isolates from 21 vaginal bacterial species shows that those associated with infection and inflammation produce a larger CBPs repertoire, thus enabling them to potentially bind a wider array of glycans in the vagina. Both the number of predicted bacterial CBPs and their specificities correlated with pathogenicity. This study provides new insights into potential mechanisms of colonisation by commensals and potential pathogens of the reproductive tract that underpin health and disease states.
eDNA sampled from stream networks correlates with camera trap detection rates of terrestrial mammals
Authors: Lyet Arnaud , Pellissier Loïc , Valentini Alice , Dejean Tony , Hehmeyer Abigail , Naidoo Robin
Published: June 2021

Biodiversity monitoring delivers vital information to those making conservation decisions. Comprehensively measuring terrestrial biodiversity usually requires costly methods that can rarely be deployed at large spatial scales over multiple time periods, limiting conservation efficiency. Here we investigated the capacity of environmental DNA (eDNA) from stream water samples to survey terrestrial mammal diversity at multiple spatial scales within a large catchment. We compared biodiversity information recovered using an eDNA metabarcoding approach with data from a dense camera trap survey, as well as the sampling costs of both methods. Via the sampling of large volumes of water from the two largest streams that drained the study area, eDNA metabarcoding provided information on the presence and detection probabilities of 35 mammal taxa, 25% more than camera traps and for half the cost. While eDNA metabarcoding had limited capacity to detect felid species and provide individual-level demographic information, it is a cost-efficient method for large-scale monitoring of terrestrial mammals that can offer sufficient information to solve many conservation problems.
A genetic polymorphism in P2RY1 impacts response to clopidogrel in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ueda Yu , Li Ronald H. L. , Nguyen Nghi , Ontiveros Eric S. , Kovacs Samantha L. , Oldach Maureen S. , Vernau Karen M. , Court Michael H. , Stern Joshua A.
Published: June 2021

Clopidogrel is converted to its active metabolite by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and irreversibly inhibits platelet activation by antagonizing the adenosine-diphosphate (ADP) receptor. It is frequently used in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) to prevent thromboembolic complications. However, significant interpatient variability of the response to clopidogrel therapy has been suspected. In this study, we assessed the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ADP receptor (P2RY1, P2RY12) and cytochrome P450 isoenzyme (CYP2C41) genes on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel administration in cats with HCM. Forty-nine cats completed the study, and blood samples were obtained before and after clopidogrel therapy to assess the degree of platelet inhibition based on flow cytometry and whole blood platelet aggregometry. Plasma concentrations of clopidogrel metabolites were measured after the last dose of clopidogrel. Whole blood platelet aggregometry revealed a significant reduction of platelet inhibition by clopidogrel in cats with the P2RY1:A236G and the P2RY12:V34I variants. The association with the P2RY1:A236G variant and clopidogrel resistance remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons. This study demonstrated that a genetic polymorphism in theP2RY1gene altered response to clopidogrel therapy and suggests that clinicians may consider alternative or additional thromboprophylactic therapy in cats with the P2RY1:A236G variant.
CLDN15 is a novel diagnostic marker for malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Watanabe Masayuki , Higashi Tomohito , Ozeki Kana , Higashi Atsuko Y. , Sugimoto Kotaro , Mine Hayato , Takagi Hironori , Ozaki Yuki , Muto Satoshi , Okabe Naoyuki , Matsumura Yuki , Hasegawa Takeo , Shio Yutaka , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Chiba Hideki
Published: June 2021

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer with a poor survival rate. It is difficult to diagnose mesotheliomas because they show a variety of histological patterns similar to those of various other cancers. However, since currently used positive markers for mesotheliomas may show false positives or false negatives, a novel mesothelial positive marker is required. In the present study, we screened 25 claudins and found that claudin-15 is expressed in the mesothelial cells. We made new rat anti-human claudin-15 (CLDN15) monoclonal antibodies that selectively recognize CLDN15, and investigated whether CLDN15 is a good positive marker for malignant pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs) using MPM tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantification of the expression level using an immunoreactive score (IRS) method. Of 42 MPM samples, 83% were positive for CLDN15. The positive ratio was equal to or greater than other positive markers for MPMs including calretinin (81%), WT-1 (50%), and D2-40 (81%). In 50 lung adenocarcinoma sections, four cases were positive for CLDN15 and the specificity (92%) was comparable with other markers (90–100%). Notably, CLDN15 was rarely detected in 24 non-mesothelial tumors in the tissue microarray (12/327 cases). In conclusion, CLDN15 can be used in the clinical setting as a positive marker for MPM diagnosis.
Organic fertilization improves soil aggregation through increases in abundance of eubacteria and products of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Řezáčová Veronika , Czakó Alena , Stehlík Martin , Mayerová Markéta , Šimon Tomáš , Smatanová Michaela , Madaras Mikuláš
Published: June 2021

An important goal of sustainable agriculture is to maintain soil quality. Soil aggregation, which can serve as a measure of soil quality, plays an important role in maintaining soil structure, fertility, and stability. The process of soil aggregation can be affected through impacts on biotic and abiotic factors. Here, we tested whether soil management involving application of organic and mineral fertilizers could significantly improve soil aggregation and if variation among differently fertilized soils could be specifically attributed to a particular biotic and/or abiotic soil parameter. In a field experiment within Central Europe, we assessed stability of 1–2 mm soil aggregates together with other parameters of soil samples from differently fertilized soils. Application of compost and digestates increased stability of soil aggregates. Most of the variation in soil aggregation caused by different fertilizers was associated with soil organic carbon lability, occurrence of aromatic functional groups, and variations in abundance of eubacteria, total glomalins, concentrations of total S, N, C, and hot water extractable C. In summary, we have shown that application of compost and digestates improves stability of soil aggregates and that this is accompanied by increased soil fertility, decomposition resistance, and abundance of total glomalins and eubacteria. These probably play significant roles in increasing stability of soil aggregates.
Split NanoLuc technology allows quantitation of interactions between PII protein and its receptors with unprecedented sensitivity and reveals transient interactions
Authors: Rozbeh Rokhsareh , Forchhammer Karl
Published: June 2021

PII proteins constitute a widespread signal transduction superfamily in the prokaryotic world. The canonical PII signal proteins sense metabolic state of the cells by binding the metabolite molecules ATP, ADP and 2-oxoglutarate. Depending on bound effector molecule, PII proteins interact with and modulate the activity of multiple target proteins. To investigate the complexity of interactions of PII with target proteins, analytical methods that do not disrupt the native cellular context are required. To this purpose, split luciferase proteins have been used to develop a novel complementation reporter called NanoLuc Binary Technology (NanoBiT). The luciferase NanoLuc is divided in two subunits: a 18 kDa polypeptide termed “Large BiT” and a 1.3 kDa peptide termed “Small BiT”, which only weakly associate. When fused to proteins of interest, they reconstitute an active luciferase when the proteins of interest interact. Therefore, we set out to develop a new NanoBiT sensor based on the interaction of PII protein from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 with PII-interacting protein X (PipX) and N-acetyl-L-glutamate kinase (NAGK). The novel NanoBiT sensor showed unprecedented sensitivity, which made it possible to detect even weak and transient interactions between PII variants and their interacting partners, thereby shedding new light in PII signalling processes.
Low-coherence photonic method of electrochemical processes monitoring
Authors: Kosowska Monika , Jakóbczyk Paweł , Rycewicz Michał , Vitkin Alex , Szczerska Małgorzata
Published: June 2021

We present an advanced multimodality characterization platform for simultaneous optical and electrochemical measurements of ferrocyanides. Specifically, we combined a fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometer with a three-electrode electrochemical setup to demonstrate a proof-of-principle of this hybrid characterization approach, and obtained feasibility data in its monitoring of electrochemical reactions in a boron-doped diamond film deposited on a silica substrate. The film plays the dual role of being the working electrode in the electrochemical reaction, as well as affording the reflectivity to enable the optical interferometry measurements. Optical responses during the redox reactions of the electrochemical process are presented. This work proves that simultaneous opto-electrochemical measurements of liquids are possible.
Plasma metabolomic profiles as affected by diet and stress in Spanish goats
Authors: Batchu Phaneendra , Terrill Thomas H. , Kouakou Brou , Estrada-Reyes Zaira M. , Kannan Govind
Published: June 2021

The effects of high-condensed tannin (CT) diet combined with preslaughter stress have not been studied at the metabolome level in goats. This study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata), a high-CT legume, and transportation stress on plasma metabolome in goats. Uncastrated male Spanish goats (age = 8 months; BW = 26.0 ± 0.48 kg) were either fed ground ‘Serala’ SL hay (SER), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay (BG), or bermudagrass hay-dewormed goats (BG-DW; Control) at 75% of intake, with a corn-based supplementation (25%) for 8 weeks (n = 12/Diet). At the end of the trial, goats were subjected to one of two stress treatments (ST): transported for 90 min to impose stress (TS) or held in pens (NTS) before slaughtering, in two replicates. Live and carcass weights, and blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60 and 90 min of transportation or holding time (Time). The data were analyzed using MIXED procedures in SAS and metabolomics data were analyzed using the R software. When measured after ST, SER group had the lowest body weight (P < 0.05) among the three diet groups. Carcass weights were high in the BG-DW, low in SER, and intermediate in BG group. Plasma creatine concentrations decreased over Time (P < 0.01) in the TS goats in all diet groups. Meat crude protein percentages were higher (P < 0.05) in SER (22.5 ± 0.22) and BG-DW (22.3 ± 0.22) groups compared to the BG group (21.6 ± 0.22). At the metabolome level, SER group had the lowest (P < 0.05) glycine, alanine, threonine, taurine, trans-hydroxyproline, methionine, and histidine concentrations and highest (P < 0.01) lysine and citrulline concentrations among the Diet groups. Butyric acid, concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in the SER group compared to BG group. Eight medium- and long-chained acylcarnitines were higher (P < 0.05) in the BG-DW group than SER or BG groups. In general, amino acid levels decreased and acylcarnitine increased with Time (P < 0.05) in all groups. Sericea diet can be beneficial in enhancing stress coping abilities in goats due to elevated butyrate, lysine, and citrulline levels; however, SER resulted in lower energy level in goats compared to BG or BG-DW groups. Fatty acid metabolism is the main energy pathway in all groups during prolonged stress. Inclusion of certain varieties of SL in the diet must be carefully controlled to prevent possible negative effect.
A new grey quadratic polynomial model and its application in the COVID-19 in China
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Jiang Zeyou
Published: June 2021

This paper develops a new grey prediction model with quadratic polynomial term. Analytical expressions of the time response function and the restored values of the new model are derived by using grey model technique and mathematical tools. With observations of the confirmed cases, the death cases and the recovered cases from COVID-19 in China at the early stage, the proposed forecasting model is developed. The computational results demonstrate that the new model has higher precision than the other existing prediction models, which show the grey model has high accuracy in the forecasting of COVID-19.
Pharmacological and clinical evaluation of deferasirox formulations for treatment tailoring
Authors: Piolatto Andrea , Berchialla Paola , Allegra Sarah , De Francia Silvia , Ferrero Giovanni Battista , Piga Antonio , Longo Filomena
Published: June 2021

Deferasirox (DFX) is the newest among three different chelators available to treat iron overload in iron-loading anaemias, firstly released as Dispersible Tablets (DT) and more recently replaced by Film-Coated Tablets (FCT). In this retrospective observational study, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety features of DFX treatment were analyzed in 74 patients that took both formulations subsequently under clinical practice conditions. Bioavailability of DFX FCT compared to DT resulted higher than expected [Cmax: 99.5 (FCT) and 69.7 (DT) μMol/L; AUC: 1278 (FCT) and 846 (DT), P < 0.0001]. DFX FCT was also superior in scalability among doses. After one year of treatment for each formulation, no differences were observed between the treatments in the overall iron overload levels; however, DFX FCT but not DT showed a significant dose–response correlation [Spearman r (dose-serum ferritin variation): − 0.54, P < 0.0001]. Despite being administered at different dosages, the long-term safety profile was not different between formulations: a significant increase in renal impairment risk was observed for both treatments and it was reversible under strict monitoring (P < 0.002). Altogether, these data constitute a comprehensive comparison of DFX formulations in thalassaemia and other iron-loading anaemias, confirming the effectiveness and safety characteristics of DFX and its applicability for treatment tailoring.
Long-term prognosis of vascular access in hemodialysis patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Fan-Yu , Chen Chun-Fan , Tan Ann Charis , Chan Chia-Hao , Chen Fu-An , Liu Wen-Sheng , Chen Tz-Heng , Ou Shuo-Ming , Li Szu-Yuan , Tsai Ming-Tsun , Chen Yung-Tai , Lin Chih-Ching
Published: June 2021

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a higher risk of vascular complications. This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze the differences in the risk of arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF/AVG) dysfunction in hemodialysis patients with and without SLE from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Database over a 10-year period. AVF/AVG dysfunction is defined as the occurrence of the first episode of intervention after vascular access creation. A total of 1366 HD patients with SLE had higher incidence rates of AVF/AVG dysfunction than 4098 non-SLE HD patients in the following 4 periods: (1) after 1 year (incidence rates = 15.21% and 13.01%, respectively; subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) = 1.16; P = 0.007), (2) 1st-to-10th-year period (15.36% and 13.25%; SHR = 1.16; P = 0.007), (3) 5th-to-10th-year period (11.91% and 8.1%; SHR = 1.42; P = 0.003), and (4) overall period (23.53% and 21.66%; SHR = 1.09; P = 0.027). In conclusion, there were significantly higher incidence rates of AVF/AVG dysfunction in SLE patients during the long-term follow-up period. Vascular access function should be monitored regularly by clinical examinations, especially after 1 year and during 5 to 10 years, to improve AVF/AVG patency and dialysis adequacy in SLE patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.
Fatty acids suppress the steroidogenesis of the MA-10 mouse Leydig cell line by downregulating CYP11A1 and inhibiting late-stage autophagy
Authors: Huang Chien , Hsu Hsiu-Ju , Wang Mu-En , Hsu Meng-Chieh , Wu Leang-Shin , Jong De-Shien , Jiang Yi-Fan , Chiu Chih-Hsien
Published: June 2021

Obese men have lower circulating testosterone than men with an optimal body mass index. Elevated fatty acids (FAs) caused by obesity have been reported to suppress the steroidogenesis of Leydig cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that autophagy regulates steroidogenesis in endocrine cells; however, few studies have investigated the molecular mechanisms of FA-impaired steroidogenesis. To study FA regulation in the steroidogenesis of Leydig cells, MA-10 cells were treated with an FA mixture and co-treated with 8-Br-cAMP to stimulate the steroidogenesis capacity. We showed that FAs led to cellular lipid accumulation and decreased steroidogenesis of MA-10 cells, and FA-suppressed steroidogenesis was largely recovered by P5 treatment but not by 22R-OHC treatment, suggesting the primary defect was the deficiency of CYP11A1. To examine the involvement of autophagy in the steroidogenesis of Leydig cells, we treated MA-10 cells with autophagy regulators, including rapamycin, bafilomycin, and chloroquine. Inhibition of late-stage autophagy including FA-upregulated Rubicon suppressed the steroidogenesis of MA-10 cells. More interestingly, Rubicon played a novel regulatory role in the steroidogenesis of MA-10 cells, independent of inhibitors of late-stage autophagy. Collectively, this study provides novel targets to investigate the interaction between FAs and steroidogenesis in steroidogenic cells.
Growth and dry matter partitioning response in cereal-legume intercropping under full and limited irrigation regimes
Authors: Amanullah  , Khalid Shah , Khalil Farhan , Elshikh Mohamed Soliman , Alwahibi Mona S. , Alkahtani Jawaher , Imranuddin  , Imran
Published: June 2021

The dry matter partitioning is the product of the flow of assimilates from the source organs (leaves and stems) along the transport route to the storage organs (grains). A 2-year field experiment was conducted at the agronomy research farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2015–2016 (Y1) to 2016–2017 (Y2) having semiarid climate. Four summer crops, pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoidum L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) and mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and four winter crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), fababean (Vicia faba) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) were grown under two irrigation regimes (full vs. limited irrigation) with the pattern of growing each crop either alone as sole crop or in combination of two crops in each intercropping system under both winter and summer seasons. The result showed that under full irrigated condition (no water stress), all crops had higher crop growth rate (CGR), leaf dry weight (LDW), stem dry weight (SDW), and spike/head dry weight (S/H/PDW) at both anthesis and physiological maturity (PM) than limited irrigated condition (water stress). In winter crops, both wheat and barley grown as sole crop or intercropped with fababean produced maximum CGR, LDW, SDW, S/H/PDW than other intercrops. Among summer crops, sorghum intercropped either with pigeon pea or with mungbean produced maximum CGR, LDW, SDW, and S/H/PDW at both growth stages. Sole mungbean and pigeon pea or pigeon pea and mungbean intercropping had higher CGR, LDW, SDW, S/H/PDW than millet and sorghum intercropping. On the other hand, wheat and barley grown as sole crops or intercropped with fababean produced maximum CGR, LDW, SDW, and S/H/PDW than other intercrops. Fababean grown as sole crop or intercropped with wheat produced higher CGR, LDW, SDW, and S/H/PDW at PM than intercropped with barley or rapeseed. From the results it was concluded that cereal plus legume intercropping particularly wheat/fababean in winter and sorghum/pigeon pea or sorgum/mungbean in summer are the most productive intercropping systems under both low and high moisture regimes.