bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Company financial performance, company characteristics, and environmental disclosure: evidence from Singapore
Authors: Wahyuningrum I F S , Oktavilia S , Putri N , Solikhah B , Djajadikerta H , Tjahjaningsih E
Published: January 2021

A company disclosed its environmental disclosure by providing its annual report and sustainability report as a responsibility to society and the environment. This study aims to examine the factors that influence environmental disclosure, consisting of profitability, leverage, company size, industry type and company age. Legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory are used in this study. The population in this study is industrial companies listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in 2018. Purposive sampling is used as a sampling method in order to obtain 61 companies. Multiple linear analysis was used to test the effect between variables. The quantity determination of environmental disclosure is measured using the content analysis method based on GRI Standard 2016. The result showed that company size has a significant positive effect on environmental disclosure. Meanwhile, the relationship between profitability and environmental disclosure has a significant negative. On the other hand, leverage, industry type, and company age have no significant environmental disclosure effect. Based on the resulting test, large companies disclosed environmental disclosures to increase public trust and credibility.
Recent advances in the stabilization of expansive soils using waste materials: A review
Authors: Niyomukiza J B , Wardani S P R , Setiadji B H
Published: January 2021

The increasing population necessitates infrastructural development, and these civil engineering infrastructures are constructed on soils. Highways, buildings, bridges, railways, and dams need a strong foundation; however, some soils are not suitable for making a strong foundation. An example is expansive or reactive soils. Expansive soils are subjected to volumetric changes, thus the biggest challenge that geotechnical engineers encounter in the field. In an attempt to make these poor soils more appropriate for use in engineering projects, different stabilization techniques are used. However, well-established stabilizers like cement, lime, and bitumen are associated with environmental challenges. This has attracted the attention of the researchers to look for environmentally friendly and sustainable stabilizers. The current study provides a review of the recent trends in improving the geotechnical properties of expansive soils using waste materials, focusing on their efficacy, the optimum percentage, and research gaps. Wastes considered in this study include waste tires, sawdust, and sawdust ash, and fly ash. The review utilized research articles extracted from different databases, such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google. This work could give the geotechnical engineers and independent researchers insight into the recent soil stabilization trends that could lead to sustainable development.
Global Villain, but Local Hero? A Linguistic Analysis of Climate Narratives from the Fossil Fuel Sector
Authors: Dahl Trine
Published: January 2021

This paper offers a linguistic approach to narrative analysis, illustrated through a quantitative/qualitative lexico-semantic study of sustainability reports by BP, Equinor, ConocoPhillips, and ExxonMobil. It contributes novel insights into how major CO2 emitters present themselves in climate narratives. My aim is, first, to show how the basic components of narratives (Complication, Reaction, and Resolution) and the classic character set (victim, villain, and hero) may be identified through linguistic features, and second, to consider how the special nature of climate change impacts on the enactment of this character set. The study considers whether the companies acknowledge their reputation as villains in the global climate narrative, or whether they are discursively shying away from this script. I find that the reports share a basic climate narrative, representing a techno-optimistic approach to maintaining a profitable business in a carbon-constrained society, with gas representing a narrative Complication as well as a Resolution. The global villain role is acknowledged, but typically softened through a dual villain/hero role. The hero role in fact turned out to be the most conspicuous in the material.
Genetic and morphological differentiation inWashingtonia(Arecaceae): solving a century-old palm mystery
Authors: Villanueva-Almanza Lorena , Landis Jacob B , Koenig Daniel , Ezcurra Exequiel
Published: January 2021

Washingtonia is a genus of palms currently composed of two species, W. filifera and W. robusta, distributed in the States of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora in Mexico, and Southern California and Arizona in the United States. The group has been a taxonomic challenge due to a lack of type specimens, incomplete protologues, highly variable vegetative morphology, human dispersal of seeds, limited fieldwork in native populations and poor representation in herbaria. Here, we analyse the population structure and phylogenetic relationships and test whether morphological traits correlate with genetic variation throughout its distributional range. We used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) data to identify population structure and delimit species. We further used these data to determine whether morphological traits varied among genetic regions. We analysed 188 individuals from 21 populations of Washingtonia across its distribution range using multivariate and Bayesian methods. Our results showed great consistency in the discovery of four genetic groups: (1) Southern Peninsula, (2) Mid-Peninsula, (3) Northern Peninsula and (4) Sonoran mainland. The geographical limits to these clusters coincide very well with the large natural regions of the Sonoran Desert. Our analyses indicate that Washingtonia populations are highly structured within four major geographical regions. Even when no single morphological trait can be used to determine the genetic identity of Washingtonia palms, leaf greenness, a novel morphological trait, can be useful. Our results provide a robust phylogenetic analysis of Washingtonia settling a taxonomic debate that has lasted over a century.
Cryptococcal Antigen Screening Among Antiretroviral Therapy–Experienced People With HIV With Viral Load Nonsuppression in Rural Uganda
Authors: Baluku Joseph Baruch , Mugabe Pallen , Mwebaza Shem , Nakaweesi Jane , Senyimba Catherine , Opio Joel Peter , Mukasa Barbara
Published: January 2021

Background

The World Health Organization recommends screening for the cryptococcal antigen (CrAg), a predictor of cryptococcal meningitis, among antiretroviral therapy (ART)–naïve people with HIV (PWH) with CD4 <100 cells/mm3. CrAg positivity among ART-experienced PWH with viral load (VL) nonsuppression is not well established, yet high VLs are associated with cryptococcal meningitis independent of CD4 count. We compared the frequency and positivity yield of CrAg screening among ART-experienced PWH with VL nonsuppression and ART-naïve PWH with CD4 <100 cells/mm3 attending rural public health facilities in Uganda.

Methods

We reviewed routinely generated programmatic reports on cryptococcal disease screening from 104 health facilities in 8 rural districts of Uganda from January 2018 to July 2019. A lateral flow assay (IMMY CrAg) was used to screen for cryptococcal disease. PWH were eligible for CrAg screening if they were ART-naïve with CD4 <100 cell/mm3 or ART-experienced with an HIV VL >1000 copies/mL after at least 6 months of ART. We used Pearson’s chi-square test to compare the frequency and yield of CrAg screening.

Results

Of 71 860 ART-experienced PWH, 7210 (10.0%) were eligible for CrAg screening. Among 15 417 ART-naïve PWH, 5719 (37.1%) had a CD4 count measurement, of whom 937 (16.4%) were eligible for CrAg screening. The frequency of CrAg screening was 11.5% (830/7210) among eligible ART-experienced PWH compared with 95.1% (891/937) of eligible ART- naïve PWH (P < .001). The CrAg positivity yield was 10.5% among eligible ART-experienced PWH compared with 13.8% among eligible ART-naïve PWH (P = .035).

Conclusions

The low frequency and high positivity yield of CrAg screening among ART-experienced PWH with VL nonsuppression suggest a need for VL- directed CrAg screening in this population. Studies are needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and impact of CrAg screening and fluconazole prophylaxis on the outcomes of ART-experienced PWH with VL nonsuppression.
Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. mandevillae pv. nov., a Clonal Pathogen Causing an Emerging, Devastating Disease of the Ornamental Plant Mandevilla spp.
Authors: Caballo-Ponce Eloy , Pintado Adrián , Moreno-Pérez Alba , Murillo Jesús , Smalla Kornelia , Ramos Cayo
Published: January 2021

Commercial production of the ornamental plant dipladenia (Mandevilla spp.) is threatened by dipladenia leaf and stem spot disease, caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi. P. savastanoi includes four pathovars of woody hosts differentiated by a characteristic host range in olive, oleander, ash, and broom plants. However, isolates from dipladenia have not been ascribed to any particular lineage or P. savastanoi pathovar. Here we report that isolates from dipladenia represent a distinct, clonal lineage. First, dipladenia isolates display very similar plasmid profiles, including a plasmid encoding the iaaM gene for biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid. Second, multilocus sequence analysis and core genome single-nucleotide polymorphisms phylogenies showed a monophyletic origin for dipladenia isolates, which cluster with isolates from oleander (pathovar nerii) in a distinct clade well separated from other P. savastanoi strains. Metabolic profiling and cross-pathogenicity tests in olive, oleander, ash, broom, and dipladenia clearly distinguished dipladenia isolates from the four P. savastanoi pathovars. Comparative genomics of the draft genome sequence of the dipladenia strain Ph3 with the other four pathovars showed that Ph3 encodes very few strain-specific genes and a similar set of virulence genes to pv. nerii, including its repertoire of type III secretion system effectors. However, hierarchical clustering based on the catalog of effectors and their allelic variants clearly separated Ph3 from pv. nerii strains. Based on their distinctive pathogenicity profile, we propose a de novo pathovar for P. savastanoi isolates from dipladenia, P. savastanoi pv. mandevillae pv. nov., for which strain Ph3 (CFBP 8832PT) has been designated as the pathotype strain.
Variation in primate decision-making under uncertainty and the roots of human economic behaviour
Authors: De Petrillo Francesca , Rosati Alexandra G.
Published: January 2021

Uncertainty is a ubiquitous component of human economic behaviour, yet people can vary in their preferences for risk across populations, individuals and different points in time. As uncertainty also characterizes many aspects of animal decision-making, comparative research can help evaluate different potential mechanisms that generate this variation, including the role of biological differences or maturational change versus cultural learning, as well as identify human-unique components of economic decision-making. Here, we examine decision-making under risk across non-human primates, our closest relatives. We first review theoretical approaches and current methods for understanding decision-making in animals. We then assess the current evidence for variation in animal preferences between species and populations, between individuals based on personality, sex and age, and finally, between different contexts and individual states. We then use these primate data to evaluate the processes that can shape human decision-making strategies and identify the primate foundations of human economic behaviour.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Existence and prevalence of economic behaviours among non-human primates’.
Reduced risk-seeking in chimpanzees in a zero-outcome game
Authors: Keupp Stefanie , Grueneisen Sebastian , Ludvig Elliot A. , Warneken Felix , Melis Alicia P.
Published: January 2021

A key component of economic decisions is the integration of information about reward outcomes and probabilities in selecting between competing options. In many species, risky choice is influenced by the magnitude of available outcomes, probability of success and the possibility of extreme outcomes. Chimpanzees are generally regarded to be risk-seeking. In this study, we examined two aspects of chimpanzees' risk preferences: first, whether setting the value of the non-preferred outcome of a risky option to zero changes chimpanzees’ risk preferences, and second, whether individual risk preferences are stable across two different measures. Across two experiments, we found chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes,n= 23) as a group to be risk-neutral to risk-avoidant with highly stable individual risk preferences. We discuss how the possibility of going empty-handed might reduce chimpanzees' risk-seeking relative to previous studies. This malleability in risk preferences as a function of experimental parameters and individual differences raises interesting questions about whether it is appropriate or helpful to categorize a species as a whole as risk-seeking or risk-avoidant.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Existence and prevalence of economic behaviours among non-human primates’.
Non-human primate token use shows possibilities but also limitations for establishing a form of currency
Authors: Beran Michael J. , Parrish Audrey E.
Published: January 2021

Non-human primates evaluate choices based on quantitative information and subjective valuation of options. Non-human primates can learn to value tokens as placeholders for primary rewards (such as food). With those tokens established as a potential form of ‘currency’, it is then possible to examine how they respond to opportunities to earn and use tokens in ways such as accumulating tokens or exchanging tokens with each other or with human experimenters to gain primary rewards. Sometimes, individuals make efficient and beneficial choices to obtain tokens and then exchange them at the right moments to gain optimal reward. Sometimes, they even accumulate such rewards through extended delay of gratification, or through other exchange-based interactions. Thus, non-human primates are capable of associating value to arbitrary tokens that may function as currency-like stimuli, but there also are strong limitations on how non-human primates can integrate such tokens into choice situations or use such tokens to fully ‘symbolize’ economic decision-making. These limitations are important to acknowledge when considering the evolutionary emergence of currency use in our species.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Existence and prevalence of economic behaviours among non-human primates’.
Competition and environmental gradients structure assemblages of Canidae across the planet
Authors: Porto Lucas M. V. , Etienne Rampal S. , Maestri Renan
Published: January 2021

The phylogenetic information of assemblages carries the signature of ecological and evolutionary processes that assembled these communities. Identifying the mechanisms that shape communities is not simple, as they can vary spatially. Here, we investigated how the phylogenetic structure of Canidae across the globe is affected by the environment and competition. We first identified phylogenetically clustered and overdispersed assemblages of canids over the planet taking into account regional pools of species in South and North America, Eurasia, and Africa. Then, we applied Structural Equation Models in these communities in order to identify the effect of temperature, vegetation cover, human impact, and body size dissimilarity on the spatial distribution of the phylogenetic information of canids. Only southern South America and the Middle East had strong phylogenetic clustered patterns, while the rest of the planet predominantly showed overdispersed assemblages. Body size dissimilarity and vegetation cover were the most important variables to explain the spatial patterns of phylogenetic structure in clustered and overdispersed communities, respectively. Canidae community composition across the world presents significant patterns of clustering and overdispersion, which vary following mainly the environmental gradient, suggesting habitat filtering as the main force acting on Canidae assemblages.
VEGFA’s distal enhancer regulates its alternative splicing in CML
Authors: Dahan Sara , Cohen Klil , Bentata Mercedes , Engal Eden , Siam Ahmad , Kay Gillian , Drier Yotam , Elias Shlomo , Salton Maayan
Published: January 2021

Enhancer demethylation in leukemia and lymphoma was shown to lead to overexpression of genes which promote cancer characteristics. The vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) enhancer, located 157 Kb downstream of its promoter, is demethylated in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). VEGFA has several alternative splicing isoforms with different roles in vascularization and cancer progression. Since transcription and splicing are coupled in space and time, we hypothesized that the VEGFA enhancer can also regulate the gene’s alternative splicing to contribute to the pathology of CML. Our results show that mutating the VEGFA +157 enhancer promotes exclusion of exons 6b and 7 and activating the enhancer by tethering a chromatin activator has the opposite effect. In line with these results, CML patients display high enhancer activity and inclusion of VEGFA exons 6b and 7. To search for a key protein connecting transcription with alternative splicing, we analyzed 161 chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq experiments for DNA binding proteins and found that PML and CCNT2 bind VEGFA’s promoter and enhancer. CCNT2 is a positive regulator of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription elongation and indeed its silencing promotes exclusion of exons 6b and 7. Slowing down RNAPII elongation promotes exclusion of exons 6b and 7. Thus our results suggest that VEGFA’s +157 enhancer regulates its alternative splicing by increasing RNAPII elongation rate via CCNT2. Our work demonstrates the importance of the interplay between transcription and alternative splicing.
Single-cell RNA-seq analysis reveals penaeid shrimp hemocyte subpopulations and cell differentiation process
Authors: Koiwai Keiichiro , Koyama Takashi , Tsuda Soichiro , Toyoda Atsushi , Kikuchi Kiyoshi , Suzuki Hiroaki , Kawano Ryuji
Published: January 2021

Crustacean aquaculture is expected to be a major source of fishery commodities in the near future. Hemocytes are key players of the immune system in shrimps; however, their classification, maturation, and differentiation are still under debate. To date, only discrete and inconsistent information on the classification of shrimp hemocytes has been reported, showing that the morphological characteristics are not sufficient to resolve their actual roles. Our present study using single-cell RNA sequencing, revealed nine types of hemocytes ofMarsupenaeus japonicusbased on their transcriptional profiles. We identified markers of each subpopulation and the differentiation pathways involved in their maturation. We also discovered cell growth factors that might play crucial roles in hemocyte differentiation. Different immune roles among these subpopulations were suggested from the analysis of differentially expressed immune-related genes. These results provide a unified classification of shrimp hemocytes, which improves the understanding of its immune system.
Evolutionary processes driving the rise and fall ofStaphylococcus aureusST239, a dominant hybrid pathogen
Authors: Gill Jacqueline L. , Hedge Jessica , Wilson Daniel J. , MacLean R. Craig
Published: January 2021

Staphylococcus aureusST239 has been one of the most successful epidemic MRSA strains, and one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated MRSA infections. Here we investigate the evolution of ST239 using a combination of computational and experimental approaches. ST239 is thought to have emerged by a large scale chromosomal replacement event in which an ST8 clone acquired approximately 600 kb of DNA from an ST30 clone. Analysis of large-scale genomic data sets allowed us to confirm and refine the model of the origin of ST239. Importantly, we found that ST239 originated between the 1920s and 1945, implying that this MRSA lineage evolved at least 14 years before the clinical introduction of methicillin. Molecular evolution within ST239 has been dominated by purifying selection, although we found some evidence that the acquired region of the genome has evolved rapidly as a result of relaxed selective constraints. Crucially, we found that ST239 isolates have low competitive ability relative to both ST30 and ST8, demonstrating that this hybrid lineage is characterized by low fitness. We also found evidence of positive selection in a small number of genes involved in antibiotic resistance and virulence, suggesting that ST239 has evolved towards an increasingly pathogenic lifestyle. Collectively, these results support the view that low fitness has driven the recent decline of ST239, and highlight the challenge of using evolutionary approaches to understand the dynamics of pathogenic bacteria.
Bioengineered embryoids mimic post-implantation development in vitro
Authors: Girgin Mehmet U. , Broguiere Nicolas , Hoehnel Sylke , Brandenberg Nathalie , Mercier Bastien , Arias Alfonso Martinez , Lutolf Matthias P.
Published: January 2021

The difficulty of studying post-implantation development in mammals has sparked a flurry of activity to develop in vitro models, termed embryoids, based on self-organizing pluripotent stem cells. Previous approaches to derive embryoids either lack the physiological morphology and signaling interactions, or are not yet optimal for modeling post-gastrulation development. Here, we report a bioengineering-inspired approach aimed at addressing this gap. A high-throughput cell aggregation approach was employed to simultaneously coax mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into hundreds of uniform epiblast-like (EPI) aggregates in a solid matrix-free manner. When co-cultured with mouse trophoblast stem cell (TSC) aggregates, the resulting hybrid structures initiate gastrulation-like events and undergo axial morphogenesis to yield structures, termed EpiTS embryoids, with a pronounced anterior development, including brain-like regions. We identify the presence of an epithelium in EPI aggregates as the major determinant for the axial morphogenesis and anterior development seen in EpiTS embryoids. Our results demonstrate the potential of EpiTS embryoids to study peri-gastrulation development in vitro.
Kinetic characterization of the interaction of NO with the S2and S3-states of the oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II
Authors: Schansker Gert
Published: January 2021

The reactivity of the S3and S2states towards NO and NH2OH was studied and compared using the period-4 oscillations in the F0-value induced by a train of single turnover Xenon flashes spaced 100 ms apart to monitor the reaction kinetics. The flash frequency also determined the time resolution of the assay, i.e. 100 ms. The S2and S3-states were created by one and two single turnover pre-flashes, respectively. The NO-concentration-dependence of the S3-decay indicated that at low NO-concentrations an S2-state was formed as an intermediate, whereas at higher concentrations a seemingly monophasic decay to the S1-state was observed. The sigmoidal concentration dependence indicated that a fast interaction of the S3-state with (at least) two NO-molecules is necessary for the fast S3to S1decay (τ ~0.4 s at 1.2 mM NO). The pH-dependence of the S3-decay suggests that a protonation-reaction (pK ~6.9) is involved in the S3to S1decay. At intermediate NO-concentrations the protonation is only partially rate limiting, since the pH effect is more pronounced at high compared to intermediate NO-concentrations. A comparison of the reactivity of NO and hydroxylamine suggests that hydroxylamine reacts more efficiently with the S1and S2states, whereas NO reacts more efficiently with the S3-state. Based on our present knowledge of the oxygen evolving complex a possible reaction mechanism is proposed for the interaction between NO and the S3state.
Selective enhancement of neural coding in V1 underlies fine discrimination learning in tree shrew
Authors: Schumacher Joseph W. , McCann Matthew , Maximov Katherine J. , Fitzpatrick David
Published: January 2021

Visual discrimination improves with training, a phenomenon that is thought to reflect plastic changes in the responses of neurons in primary visual cortex (V1). However, the identity of the neurons that undergo change, the nature of the changes, and the consequences of these changes for other visual behaviors remain unclear. Using chronicin vivo2-photon calcium imaging to monitor the responses of neurons in V1 of tree shrews learning a Go/No-Go fine orientation discrimination task, we find increases in neural population measures of discriminability for task-relevant stimuli that correlate with performance and depend on a select subset of neurons with preferred orientations that include the rewarded stimulus and nearby orientations biased away from the non-rewarded stimulus. Learning is accompanied by selective enhancement in the response of these neurons to the rewarded stimulus that further increases their ability to discriminate the task stimuli. These changes persist outside of the trained task and predict observed enhancement and impairment in performance of other discriminations, providing evidence for selective persistent learning-induced plasticity in V1 with significant consequences for perception.
Insights into the structure of mature streptavidin C1 from Streptomyces cinnamonensis reveal the self-binding of the extension C-terminal peptide to biotin-binding sites
Authors: Jeon Byeong Jun , Kim Sulhee , Kim Min-Seok , Lee Ji-Ho , Kim Beom Seok , Hwang Kwang Yeon
Published: January 2021

The members of the avidin protein family are well known for their high affinity towards D-biotin and their structural stability. These properties make avidins a valuable tool for various biotechnological applications. In the present study, two avidin-like biotin-binding proteins (named streptavidin C1 and C2) from Streptomyces cinnamonensis were newly identified while exploring antifungal proteins against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. Streptavidin C1 reveals a low correlation (a sequence identity of approximately 64%) with all known streptavidins, whereas streptavidin C2 shares a sequence identity of approximately 94% with other streptavidins. Here, the crystal structures of streptavidin C1 in the mature form and in complex with biotin at 2.1 and 2.5 Å resolution, respectively, were assessed. The overall structures present similar tetrameric features with D
2 symmetry to other (strept)avidin structures. Interestingly, the long C-terminal region comprises a short α-helix (C-Lid; residues 169–179) and an extension C-terminal peptide (ECP; residues 180–191) which stretches into the biotin-binding sites of the same monomer. This ECP sequence (–180VTSANPPAS188–) is a newly defined biotin-binding site, which reduces the ability to bind to (strept)avidin family proteins. The novel streptavidin C1 could help in the development of an engineered tetrameric streptavidin with reduced biotin-binding capacity as well as other biomaterial tools.
Functionalization of the BCL6 BTB domain into a noncovalent crystallization chaperone
Authors: Zacharchenko Thomas , Wright Stephanie
Published: January 2021

The production of diffraction-quality protein crystals is challenging and often requires bespoke, time-consuming and expensive strategies. A system has been developed in which the BCL6 BTB domain acts as a crystallization chaperone and promiscuous assembly block that may form the basis for affinity-capture crystallography. The protein of interest is expressed with a C-terminal tag that interacts with the BTB domain, and co-crystallization leads to its incorporation within a BTB-domain lattice. This strategy was used to solve the structure of the SH3 domain of human nebulin, a structure previously solved by NMR, at 1.56 Å resolution. This approach is simple and effective, requiring only routine protein complexation and crystallization screening, and should be applicable to a range of proteins.
Socio‐spatial organization reveals paternity and low kinship in the Honduran white bat (Ectophylla alba) in Costa Rica
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ Edgar G. , VIVAS‐TORO Isabela , CARMONA‐RUÍZ Daniela , VILLALOBOS‐CHAVES David , RODRÍGUEZ‐HERRERA Bernal , REAL‐MONROY Melina Del , LEÓN‐AVILA Gloria , ORTEGA Jorge
Published: January 2021

Ectophylla alba is a tent‐making bat that roosts in mixed‐sex clusters comprising adults and offspring. Our goal was to determine the genetic identity of individuals belonging to different roosting groups. We tested the hypothesis of kin selection as a major force structuring group composition. We used 9 microsatellites designed for E. alba to determine the genetic identity and probability of parentage of individuals. We analyzed parentage and kinship using the software ML‐Relate, GenAIEx, and Cervus. The obtained relationship probabilities (0.5) revealed a clear maternal relationship between female adults and offspring with allele compatibility, and at least 5 relationships between male adults and pups. We found a low degree of relatedness within roosting groups. Between roosting groups at different sites, the mean probability of a half‐sibling relationship ranged from 0.214 to 0.244 and, for full‐sibling relationship, from 0.383 to 0.553. Genetically, adult individuals were poorly related within clusters, and kinship as an evolutionary force could not explain group membership.
Comparison of artificial tooth position in dentures fabricated by heat curing and additive manufacturing
Authors: Tasaka A , Okano H , Odaka K , Matsunaga S , K. Goto T , Abe S , Yamashita S
Published: January 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the displacement of tooth arrangement in dentures fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) and heat curing.

Methods

Three‐dimensional (3D) scanning was performed for edentulous jaw models. After the teeth were arranged, 3D scanning for the wax denture was performed. Heat‐cured dentures were fabricated with heat‐cure polymer resin. Based on data obtained by subtracting the model data from wax denture data, AM dentures were fabricated from ultraviolet‐cured acrylic resin. Accuracy was verified by superimposing heat‐cured and AM dentures on the tooth region data from the wax dentures and measuring displacement of the tooth arrangement.

Results

In the maxillary dentures, the amount of tooth displacement for the heat‐cured dentures and for the AM dentures ranged from −0.08 to +0.06 mm and from −0.25 to +0.06 mm respectively. A significant difference was observed between two dentures. In the mandibular dentures, the amount of tooth displacement for the heat‐cured dentures and for the AM dentures ranged from −0.09 to +0.07 mm and from −0.03 to +0.07 mm respectively. No significant difference was observed between two dentures.

Conclusions

The artificial teeth of the maxillary dentures fabricated by AM showed a greater displacement compared to those by heat curing.
Effects of melatonin on insulin signaling and inflammatory pathways of rats with apical periodontitis
Authors: Tavares B. S. , Tsosura T. V. S. , Mattera M. S. L. C. , Santelli J. O. , Belardi B. E. , Chiba F. Y. , Cintra L. T. A. , Silva C.C. , Matsushita D. H.
Published: January 2021

Aim

To verify the effects of melatonin supplementation on insulin sensitivity, plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, insulin signalling and inflammatory pathways in the soleus (SM) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats with apical periodontitis (AP).

Methodology

Seventy‐two Wistar rats were distributed into 4 groups: (a) control (C), (b) control supplemented with melatonin (M), (c) AP (AP), and (d) AP supplemented with melatonin (AP + M). AP was induced by pulp exposure of the maxillary and mandibular right first and second molars to the oral environment. After AP induction, oral supplementation with 5 mg kg−1melatonin (diluted in drinking water) for 60 days was initiated. At the end of the treatment, the following were analysed: (1) plasma concentrations of insulin and inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β and IL‐10) using ELISA kits; (2) glycaemia using enzymatic assay; (3) insulin resistance using homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) index; and (4) phosphorylation status of pp185 tyrosine, Akt serine, IKKα/β, and JNK in SM and EDL using Western blot. Analysis of variance of two or three factors was performed, followed by the Bonferroni test.Pvalues < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

AP promoted insulin resistance, significantly increased (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1β), significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10, impaired insulin signalling in SM, and increased IKKα/β phosphorylation status in SM and EDL. Melatonin supplementation in rats with AP improved insulin sensitivity, significantly decreased (P < 0.05) TNF‐α and IL‐1β, significantly increased (P < 0.05) IL‐10 plasma concentrations, and changed the insulin signalling in soleus muscle and IKKα/β phosphorylation status in SM and EDL muscles.

Conclusions

Melatonin is a potent adjuvant treatment for improving apical periodontitis‐associated changes in insulin sensitivity, insulin signalling and inflammatory pathways. In addition, the negative impact of AP on general health was also demonstrated.
Sintering‐driven effects on the band gap of (Pb,La)(Ti,Ni)O3 photovoltaic ceramics
Authors: Vargas Natália F. C. , Alkathy Mahmoud S. , Eiras José A. , Mastelaro Valmor Roberto , Lente Manuel H.
Published: January 2021

In this work, the influence of the sintering temperature on the physical properties of (Pb0.8La0.2)(Ti0.9Ni0.1)O3 (PLT‐Ni) ceramics is reported. The experimental data revealed that the energy band gap of PLT‐Ni ceramics could be tailored from approximately 2.7 to 2.0 eV by changing the sintering temperature from 1100°C to 1250°C. It is demonstrated that the simple substitution of Ti4+ by Ni2+ cations is effective to decrease the intrinsic band gap while increasing the tetragonality factor and the spontaneous polarization. However, the additional red‐shift observed in the absorption edge of the PLT‐Ni with increasing the sintering temperature was associated with a continuous increase in the oxygen vacancies () amount. It is believed that the impact of the creation of these thermally induced is manifold. The presence of and Ni2+ ions generate the Ni2+‐ defect‐pairs that promoted both a decrease in the intrinsic band gap and an additional increase of the tetragonality factor, consequently, increasing the spontaneous polarization. The creation of Ni2+‐ defects also changed the local symmetry of Ni2+ ions from octahedral to a square pyramid, thus lifting the degeneracy of the Ni2+ 3d orbitals. With the increase in the sintering temperature, lower‐energy absorbing intraband states were also formed due to an excess of , being responsible for an add‐on shoulder in the absorption edge, extending the light absorption curve to longer wavelengths and leading to an additional absorption in “all investigated” spectrum as well.
Phylogenetic diversity of two geographically overlapping lichens: isolation by distance, environment, or fragmentation?
Authors: Moncada Bibiana , Mercado‐Díaz Joel A. , Magain Nicolas , Hodkinson Brendan P. , Smith Clifford W. , Bungartz Frank , Pérez‐Pérez Rosa‐Emilia , Gumboski Emerson , Sérusiaux Emmanuël , Lumbsch H. Thorsten , Lücking Robert
Published: January 2021

Aim

Phylogenetic diversification is a precursor to speciation, but the underlying patterns and processes are not well‐studied in lichens. Here we investigate what factors drive diversification in two tropical, morphologically similar macrolichens that occupy a similar range but differ in altitudinal and habitat preferences, testing for isolation by distance (IBD), environment (IBE), and fragmentation (IBF).

Location

Neotropics, Hawaii, Macaronesia.

Taxon

Sticta andina,S. scabrosa(Peltigeraceae).

Methods

We analysed 395 specimens from 135 localities, using the fungal ITS barcoding marker to assess phylogenetic diversification, through maximum likelihood tree reconstruction, TCS haplotype networks, and Tajima's D. Mantel tests were employed to detect structure in genetic vs. geographic, environmental, and fragmentation distances. Habitat preferences were quantitatively assessed by statistical analysis of locality‐based BIOclim variables.

Results

Sticta andinaexhibited high phenotypic variation and reticulate phylogenetic diversity across its range, whereas the phenotypically uniformS. scabrosacontained two main haplotypes, one unique to Hawaii.Sticta andinais restricted to well‐preserved andine forests and paramos, naturally fragmented habitats due to disruptive topology, whereasS. scabrosathrives in lowland to lower montane zones in exposed or disturbed microsites, representing a continuous habitat.Sticta scabrosashowed IBD only across its full range (separating the Hawaiian population) but not within continental Central and South America, there exhibiting a negative Tajima's D.Sticta andinadid not exhibit IBD but IBE at continental level and IBF in the northern Andes.

Main conclusions

Autecology, particularly preference for either low or high altitudes, indirectly drives phylogenetic diversification. Low diversification in the low altitude species,S. scabrosa, can be attributed to rapid expansion and effective gene flow across a more or less continuous niche due to disturbance tolerance. In contract, high diversification in the high altitude species,S. andina, can be explained by niche differentiation (IBE) and fragmentation (IBF) caused by the Andean uplift.
Diagnostic value of dysregulated microribonucleic acids in the placenta and circulating exosomes in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Ting , Sun Daoxu , Cheng Guanghui , Ren Hanxiao , Hong Haijie , Chen Liyu , Jiao Xue , Du Yijia , Zou Yuqing , Wang Lina
Published: January 2021

Aims/Introduction

Differentially expressed microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) in the placenta and circulating exosomes are of diagnostic value for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In a cross‐sectional study, we identified miRNAs expressed both in the placenta and circulating exosomes of pregnant women with GDM, and estimated their diagnostic value.

Materials and Methods

Next‐generation sequencing was used to identify miRNAs in the placenta that were differentially expressed between GDM and normal glucose tolerance pregnancies. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the identified targets. Western blot and transmission electron microscopy were used to validate exosomes. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to establish diagnostic models based on miRNAs expression, and the diagnostic value was estimated using the receiver operator characteristic curve.

Results

We identified 157 dysregulated miRNAs in the placental tissue obtained from GDM pregnancies. Of these, miRNA‐125b was downregulated (P < 0.001), whereas miRNA‐144 was upregulated (P < 0.001). The patterns of these two miRNAs remained the same in circulating exosomes from GDM pregnancies (all P < 0.001). miRNA‐144 levels in the circulating exosomes negatively correlated with body mass index both before pregnancy (P = 0.018) and before delivery (P = 0.039), and positively correlated with blood glucose at 1 h, estimated using the oral glucose tolerance test (P = 0.044). The area under curve for the established diagnostic model was 0.898, which was higher than blood glucose levels at 0 h.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that miRNA‐125b and miRNA‐144 are consistently dysregulated in circulating exosomes and the placenta from GDM pregnancies, and are of excellent diagnostic value for GDM.
Health professionals’ knowledge, views and advice on diet and dental health: a survey of UK and Ireland dietitians and dentists
Authors: Kingsnorth Joanne , Cushen Samantha J. , Janiszewska Katarzyna , Avery Amanda
Published: January 2021

Background

Oral health is affected by dietary practices and may impact quality of life. Collaboration between dietetics and dental professionals for oral health promotion and disease prevention is recommended. The present study aimed to determine the knowledge and practice of dentists and dietitians on diet and dental health.

Methods

The study comprised a cross‐sectional online questionnaire, which was disseminated electronically to dentists and dietitians in the UK and Ireland, via national networks. Questions assessed participants’ knowledge of the cariogenicity of different foods, snacking behaviours, familiarity with UK dietary guidelines, dietary advice and their recommendations for cross‐professional consistency.

Results

In total, 418 responses were received (60% dentists, 40% dietitians). Inter‐profession knowledge differences were observed for the cariogenicity of sports drinks (p < 0.001), chocolate/confectionary (p < 0.001), yoghurt (p < 0.001) and sugar‐coated breakfast cereals plus milk (p < 0.0001). Dentists showed greater concern over the timings and frequency of food consumption than dietitians. A greater proportion of dentists felt nutrition and oral health counselling is a key component of regular patient care (58.4% versus 8.2%, p < 0.001). Only 18% of dietitians, compared to 56% of dentists, considered that they had received sufficient training about diet and dental health. Both professions indicated the need for multi‐disciplinary training.

Conclusions

Dietitians and dentists differ with respect to their knowledge about the effects of snacks and snacking behaviours on dental health, as well as how they prioritise this in their clinical practice. Both professions show a willingness to work collaboratively to ensure accurate and consistent advice‐giving and expertise‐sharing.
Large‐scale screening studies for atrial fibrillation – is it worth the effort?
Authors: Engdahl J. , Rosenqvist M.
Published: January 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common disease with increasing prevalence, approximately 3.2% in the adult population. In addition, about one third of AF cases are considered asymptomatic. Due to increased longevity, increased detection and increased prevalence of risk factors, the prevalence of AF is expected to at least double by the year 2060. Patients with AF have an increased risk for ischaemic stroke, heart failure, death and cognitive decline. Treatment with oral anticoagulation reduces the risk of ischaemic stroke and mortality, and the effect on cognitive decline is being studied. Based on the increasing prevalence of AF, its often asymptomatic and paroxysmal presentation and the efficacy of oral anticoagulation treatment, screening for AF has been proposed. AF seems to fulfil most of the Wilson–Jungner criteria for screening issued by the World Health Organization, but some knowledge gaps remain, gaps that will be addressed by several ongoing studies. The knowledge gaps in AF screening consist of the magnitude of the net benefit or net harm inflicted by AF screening because the oral anticoagulation treatment will also increase the risk of bleeding, and the psychological effects of AF screening are not very well studied. So far, the AF screening recommendations issued by the European Society of Cardiology have had limited impact on national and regional AF screening activities. Several large‐scale AF screening studies will report results on hard endpoints within the next few years, and these results will hopefully manifest AF as a cardiovascular disease which we need to pay more attention to.
The effect of the ischaemic compression technique on pain and functionality in temporomandibular disorders: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Şahin Duygu , Kaya Mutlu Ebru , Şakar Olcay , Ateş Gökçen , İnan Şebnem , Taşkıran Hanifegül
Published: January 2021

Background

Interventions addressing pain and impaired functionality in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are needed.

Objective

To compare the effects of 4 weeks of exercise combined with ischaemic compression and exercise alone in patients with TMDs.

Methods

Fifty patients who were diagnosed with TMDs were randomised into Group 1 (exercise combined with ischaemic compression technique) (n = 25) or Group 2 (exercise alone) (n = 25). Both groups performed 4 weeks of Rocabado's exercise and 3 weeks of postural exercise, while Group 1 received ischaemic compression to the masseter muscle for a total of 3 sessions in addition to exercise. A ruler was used to assess range of motion (ROM) (painless mouth opening (PMO), maximum mouth opening, maximum assisted mouth opening (MAMO), left lateral movement and right lateral movement), the visual analogue scale and graded chronic pain scale were used to assess pain, an algometer was used to determine the pain pressure threshold (PPT), and the 8‐item jaw functional limitation scale was used to assess, functionality. The assessments were performed at baseline, at week 1 and at week 4.

Results

The participants in Group 1 exhibited larger PMO (F = 5.26, P = .02) and MAMO values (F = 6.71, P = .01) than did the patients in Group 2 at week 1. The effect size was small for MAMO (ES = 0.27) and moderate for PMO (ES = 0.51). However, there were no significant differences in any other outcomes between groups at week 1 or 4.

Conclusion

In summary, this randomised controlled trial indicates that exercise combined with ICT and exercise alone have similar effects on ROM, pain, the PPT and functionality in patients with TMDs.
Fine regulation system for distribution of boron to different tissues in rice
Authors: Shao Ji Feng , Yamaji Naoki , Huang Sheng , Ma Jian Feng
Published: January 2021

Boron (B) is essential for growth and development, with the B requirement differing depending on the particular organs and tissues, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the preferential distribution of B to different tissues are poorly understood.

We investigated the role of a rice gene (OsBOR1) encoding a B efflux transporter in the distribution of B to different tissues under different B supplies.

OsBOR1 was highly expressed in the nodes at all growth stages. The OsBOR1 protein shows polar localization at the distal side of bundle sheath cells in nodes and xylem parenchyma cells of elongating leaf sheath, but in the mature leaf sheath and blade at the proximal side of bundle sheath cells. Furthermore, the expression of OsBOR1 was not affected by external B fluctuations, but the OsBOR1 protein was gradually degraded in response to high B. Knockout of this gene altered B distribution, decreasing the distribution of B to new leaves and panicles but increasing B distribution to old leaves.

These results indicate that OsBOR1 expressed in nodes and leaf sheath is involved in the preferential distribution of B to different tissues in rice. Furthermore, the OsBOR1 undergoes degradation in response to high B for fine regulation of B distribution to different tissues.
Blockchain‐Enabled Data Sharing in Supply Chains: Model, Operationalization, and Tutorial
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Zheng Zhiqiang (Eric) , Jiang Wei , Tang Shaojie
Published: January 2021

Data sharing between upstream and downstream entities is vital for the success of a supply chain. However, distrust, privacy concerns, data misuse, and the asymmetric valuation of shared data between entities often hinder data sharing. This problem calls for a secure, efficient, fair, and trustworthy data‐sharing mechanism. The key to such a successful system hinges on how to trace the data usage, determine the value of the seller’s data to the buyer and then compensate the seller accordingly. To this end, we design and implement a blockchain‐enabled data‐sharing marketplace for a stylized supply chain. We demonstrate how a blockchain can be used to overcome these impediments in supply‐chain data sharing and provide a detailed tutorial with a step‐by‐step implementation for how to set up such a data exchange prototype using Hashgraph.