bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on resource consumption of construction industry in Xining based on material flow analysis
Authors: Zhang Huihui , Jia Haifa , Li Chengying , Liu Chengkui
Published: February 2021

Qinghai Province is a very fragile area of ecological environment. While paying attention to economic development, we should pay more attention to the change trend of ecological environment. According to the urban statistical yearbook, the energy consumption of construction industry accounts for a large proportion of urban energy consumption. In the concept of sustainable development, we should pay attention to the problem of resource consumption and environmental pressure of urban construction industry. This paper takes Xining construction industry as the research object, based on the material flow analysis method, analyzes the material flow of newly built and demolished buildings in Xining city from 2011 to 2015, and reveals the material consumption status of Xining construction activities and the pressure on the environment.
Visual Inspection and Determining Bridge Load Rating over the Torrential Rimac River in Lima, Peru
Authors: Blas C , Fernandez F , Carrera E
Published: February 2021

Nowadays, the appropriate functioning of road infrastructure is a major concern that governments face. One of the structures most vulnerable to failure are bridges. In Peru, the hydrodynamics of torrential rivers, attributable to its geography, generates the collapse in the bridges by scour. Likewise, the increase in service overloads, compared to design loads (HS20), united with the fact that many bridges have more than 50 years in service, is another common factor that contributes to the bridge failures and should be considered in the evaluation of bridges. Therefore, this research aims to inspect, evaluate the load capacity in the superstructure of the Dueñas bridge using the LRFR methodology and propose improvements in the maintenance process. This bridge is made of prestressed concrete built in the 60’s and over the torrential Rimac river in Lima, Peru. The findings, according to the field visit, indicate the main problems are scour in the intermediate pier and damage in the concrete in the structural elements. Additionally, the rating factor (RF) calculated in the beams do not exceed to unit which implies that they only need structural reinforcement. Finally, improvements were proposed for the prevention of failure in the beams and scour in the substructure.
Oral administration of microbiome-friendly graphene quantum dots as therapy for colitis
Authors: Lee Byung-Chul , Lee Jin Young , Kim Juhee , Shin Nari , Yoo Je Min , Kang Insung , Kim Jae-Jun , Lee Seung-Eun , Kim Donghoon , Choi Soon Won , Hong Byung Hee , Kang Kyung-Sun
Published: February 2021

Graphene-based nanomaterials exhibit relatively high biocompatibility with low toxicity, of which a growing body of evidence has proved its feasibility, particularly as alternative drugs for various rare diseases. In response to the inevitable tide, we previously demonstrated that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injected graphene quantum dots (GQDs) retrieve the experimental colitis. Nevertheless, it is still requested to verify the effect of oral administration for the actual application of GQDs as an alternative remedy. GQDs (1 mg ml−1, 300 μl/injection) were orally administered to dextran sulfate sodium-induced mice every 3 d, and the therapeutic effects were monitored by changes of body weights, disease activity index and colon length. To address GQDs’ maintenance of therapeutic efficacy even after passing the gastrointestinal tract, its physicochemical properties were investigated after exposure to a low pH environment. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of GQDs on intestinal microbiota by determining bacterial viability. As a result, repetitive oral administration of GQDs resolved the symptoms of colitis, such as body weight loss and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and efficiently suppressed intestinal inflammation, similar to the previous i.p. injection. GQDs were confirmed to retain its properties after exposure to the acidic environment. No significant toxicity was found in vivo and on the microbiota, which is critical in terms of a direct correlation between GQDs and recipients’ intestinal environment. Taken together, we demonstrated that oral administration of GQDs could ameliorate experimental colitis without any harmful effect, which potentiates GQDs as an alternative microbiome-friendly treatment for colitis.
A comparative study of mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of fusion-bonded epoxy and liquid epoxy coatings and their service life in drill pipe applications
Authors: Bigdeli Faryad , Javidi Mehdi , Pakshir Mahmoud
Published: February 2021

The current investigation evaluated the service life and characteristics of fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) and liquid epoxy coatings applied on ST37 substrates to determine the optimal properties for the inner coatings of the drill pipes in the practical operating conditions. For this purpose, various mechanical tests of flexibility, hardness, adhesion resistance, impact resistance, and wear resistance along with corrosion tests of salt spray, acid immersion, and impedance tests were employed. The mechanical test results verified that FBE coating with 88 Shore D hardness and 25 MPa adhesion strength had the lowest weight loss during the wear test and provided the most desirable mechanical properties among the liquid coatings. Furthermore, the FBE sample was found to have the maximum flexibility and the highest impact resistance. The corrosion test results revealed that the FBE sample had the lowest corrosion rate, which can offer extended durability for the internal coating of the drill pipes. The results also showed that the higher compactness of the FBE coating structure, as well as the lower permeability against the penetration of aggressive agents, were the primary factors accountable for the superior service life.
From solid electrolyte to zinc cathode: vanadium substitution in ZnPS3
Authors: Martinolich Andrew J , Ware Skyler D , Lee Brian C , See Kimberly A
Published: February 2021

Development of next generation batteries is predicated on the design and discovery of new, functional materials. Divalent cations are promising options that go beyond the canonical Li-based systems, but the development of new materials for divalent ion batteries is hindered due to difficulties in promoting divalent ion conduction. We have developed a family of cathode materials based on the divalent cation conductor ZnPS3. Substitution of V for Zn in the lattice concomitant with vacancy introduction yields isostructural but redox-active materials that can reversibly store Zn2 +  in the vacancies. A range of voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling experiments along with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy support that redox is indeed centered on V and that capacity is dependent on the V content. The voltage of the materials is limited by the irreversible decomposition of the

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P

2

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4
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polyanion above 1.4 V vs. Zn/Zn2 + . The reversible capacity before anion decomposition is limited to half the vacancies and is due to the relative ratios of oxidized and reduced V centers. Such observations provide useful design rules for cathode materials for divalent cation based battery technologies, and highlight the necessity for a holistic interpretation of physical and electronic structural changes upon cycling.
Potential applicability of polyethyleneimine PEI-coated Eu2O3 and Dy2O3 nanoparticles for contrast enhancement in computed tomography
Authors: Olifirenko Valentina , Abduraimova Aiganym , Kang Moon Sung , Raja Iruthayapandi Selestin , Duisenbayeva Bakyt , Molkenova Anara , Khamkhash Laura , Hwang Yoon-Hwae , Han Dong-Wook , Atabaev Timur Sh
Published: February 2021

Rare-earth metal oxide nanoparticles considered promising contrast agents for x-ray computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The main purpose of this study is to investigate the potential applicability of polyethyleneimine (PEI)-coated Eu2O3 and Dy2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) for CT x-ray attenuation. Morphology and other physicochemical properties of prepared samples were systematically investigated using a range of characterization tools. Preliminary cytotoxicity experiments with L-929 fibroblastic cells suggested that both samples have no significant toxicity at concentrations below 100 μg ml−1. Clinical CT analysis shows that PEI@Eu2O3 NPs exhibit higher x-ray attenuation efficiency (∼8 HU mM−1) as compared to PEI@Dy2O3 NPs (∼5 HU mM−1).
Investigation on the impact of nano MgO addition on dielectric properties and space charge behavior of epoxy resin AlN nanocomposites
Authors: Nagaraju Guvvala , Sarathi Ramanujam
Published: February 2021

Epoxy nano composites were fabricated with the incorporation of nano AlN and MgO fillers to investigate their dielectric and space charge properties. Epoxy AlN nanocomposites with the addition of nano MgO have shown lower permittivity with reduced tanδ, good space charge behaviour, during poling period. Higher wt% of AlN in epoxy resin exhibited higher permittivity. The nanocomposites with AlN nanofiller have revealed higher space charge accumulation than on addition of MgO nano filler. Also, the addition of nanofillers to the base polymer has led to enhanced space charge decay performance compared to the base matrix.
FASTRAL: improving scalability of phylogenomic analysis
Authors: Dibaeinia Payam , Tabe-Bordbar Shayan , Warnow Tandy
Published: February 2021

Motivation

ASTRAL is the current leading method for species tree estimation from phylogenomic datasets (i.e. hundreds to thousands of genes) that addresses gene tree discord resulting from incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). ASTRAL is statistically consistent under the multi-locus coalescent model (MSC), runs in polynomial time, and is able to run on large datasets. Key to ASTRAL’s algorithm is the use of dynamic programming to find an optimal solution to the MQSST (maximum quartet support supertree) within a constraint space that it computes from the input. Yet, ASTRAL can fail to complete within reasonable timeframes on large datasets with many genes and species, because in these cases the constraint space it computes is too large.

Results

Here, we introduce FASTRAL, a phylogenomic estimation method. FASTRAL is based on ASTRAL, but uses a different technique for constructing the constraint space. The technique we use to define the constraint space maintains statistical consistency and is polynomial time; thus we prove that FASTRAL is a polynomial time algorithm that is statistically consistent under the MSC. Our performance study on both biological and simulated datasets demonstrates that FASTRAL matches or improves on ASTRAL with respect to species tree topology accuracy (and under high ILS conditions it is statistically significantly more accurate), while being dramatically faster—especially on datasets with large numbers of genes and high ILS—due to using a significantly smaller constraint space.

Availabilityand implementation

FASTRAL is available in open-source form at https://github.com/PayamDiba/FASTRAL.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Postcopulatory sexual selection as a driver of sex- and population-specific kidney mass in garter snakes?
Authors: Friesen Christopher R , Mason Robert T , Uhrig Emily J
Published: February 2021

In lizards and snakes, the kidneys produce seminal fluid in addition to having osmoregulatory functions. Therefore, in response to polyandry, kidney mass should be under selection regimes such as those influencing testes. Male red-sided garter snakes deposit a kidney-derived copulatory plug that functions in sperm competition. We first tested for intersexual differences in kidney mass and allometry in one population and found that males had kidneys twice as heavy as those of females, consistent with stronger selection on male kidney mass. Previous studies have shown that male size enhances mating success in one-on-one competition prevalent in small mating aggregations. We then examined the relationship between body size, kidney mass and testes mass in two populations with low (LD) and high (HD) mating aggregation densities. Males from the HD population had heavier testes and heavier kidneys compared with males from the LD population; HD males were also smaller in body size. Our results suggest that the strength of sexual selection, and possibly the balance between pre- and postcopulatory selection, varies in response to population size or density. However, more replication is needed to confirm the generality of these results within red-sided garter snakes and other squamate reptiles.
Impaired decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells from women with adenomyosis†
Authors: Peng Yaoming , Jin Zhixing , Liu Haiou , Xu Congjian
Published: February 2021

Differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) into secretory decidualized cells (dESCs) is essential for embryo implantation. Adenomyosis is a common benign gynecological disease that causes infertility. However, whether adenomyosis affects decidualization of human ESCs is elusive. Primary eutopic ESCs were obtained from patients with adenomyosis (n = 9) and women with nonendometrial diseases (n = 12). We determined the capacity of decidualization of human ESCs by qRT-PCR, Edu proliferation assay, cytokine array, and ELISA assay. We found that the expression of decidualization markers (IGFBP1 and PRL) in ESCs of adenomyosis was reduced, concomitant with increased cell proliferation. Differential secretion of cytokines in dESCs, including CXCL1/2/3, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, VEGF-A, MIP-3α, OPN, SDF-1α, HGF, and MMP-9, was observed between adenomyosis and nonadenomyosis. Moreover, the expression of decidualization regulators (HOXA10 at both mRNA and protein levels, FOXO1, KLF5, CEBPB, and HAND2 at mRNA levels) in the eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis was lower than that of nonadenomyosis. We propose that ESCs from adenomyosis have defected ability to full decidualization, which may lead to a nonreceptive endometrium.
Structure and functional anatomy of the gas exchange apparatus of leafless orchids: evidence for a control mechanism?
Authors: Roth-Nebelsick Anita , Thiv Mike , Malkowsky Yaron , Schott Rena , Heyer Arnd
Published: February 2021

It is assumed that special structures in aerial roots of leafless orchids, aeration units, are involved in gas exchange regulation. In this study, the structure of aeration units in three leafless taxa (Microcoelia exilis, M. aphylla, Dendrophylax funalis) and a leaf-bearing species (Campylocentrum micranthum) are investigated to obtain more evidence of a possible mechanism for gas exchange control in aerial orchid roots. Extensive analyses of the anatomy of the velamen radicum, exodermis and cortex were performed using light and electron microscopy and µCT. In all considered leafless taxa, the aeration unit consists of pneumathodes (non-wettable regions in the velamen radicum), an exodermal aeration cell (EAC) with a thin cell wall (often equipped with a special internal layer showing a fluffy structure) and specialized cortical cells (SCC). The SCC provide gaps for gas exchange, show differentially thickened cell walls and are arranged in a staggered manner. Based on the 3D structure of the aeration unit, we suggest the possibility of dehydration-triggered gap closure (driven by root shrinkage), in the process of which first the SCC are pushed against each other and second the EAC are squeezed shut by the exodermis.
Pirh2, an E3 ligase, regulates the AIP4–p73 regulatory pathway by modulating AIP4 expression and ubiquitination
Authors: Abou Zeinab Rami , Wu H Helena , Abuetabh Yasser , Leng Sarah , Sergi Consolato , Eisenstat David D , Leng Roger P
Published: February 2021

Pirh2 is an E3 ligase belonging to the RING-H2 family and shown to bind, ubiquitinate and downregulate p73 tumor suppressor function without altering p73 protein levels. AIP4, an E3 ligase belonging to the HECT domain family, has been reported to be a negative regulatory protein that promotes p73 ubiquitination and degradation. Herein, we found that Pirh2 is a key regulator of AIP4 that inhibits p73 function. Pirh2 physically interacts with AIP4 and significantly downregulates AIP4 expression. This downregulation is shown to involve the ubiquitination of AIP4 by Pirh2. Importantly, we demonstrated that the ectopic expression of Pirh2 inhibits the AIP4–p73 negative regulatory pathway, which was restored when depleting endogenous Pirh2 utilizing Pirh2-siRNAs. We further observed that Pirh2 decreases AIP4-mediated p73 ubiquitination. At the translational level and specifically regarding p73 cell cycle arrest function, Pirh2 still ensures the arrest of p73-mediated G1 despite AIP4 expression. Our study reveals a novel link between two E3 ligases previously thought to be unrelated in regulating the same effector substrate, p73. These findings open a gateway to explain how E3 ligases differentiate between regulating multiple substrates that may belong to the same family of proteins, as it is the case for the p53 and p73 proteins.
Pupil Dilation and the Slow Wave ERP Reflect Surprise about Choice Outcome Resulting from Intrinsic Variability in Decision Confidence
Authors: de Gee Jan Willem , Correa Camile M C , Weaver Matthew , Donner Tobias H , van Gaal Simon
Published: February 2021

Central to human and animal cognition is the ability to learn from feedback in order to optimize future rewards. Such a learning signal might be encoded and broadcasted by the brain’s arousal systems, including the noradrenergic locus coeruleus. Pupil responses and the positive slow wave component of event-related potentials reflect rapid changes in the arousal level of the brain. Here, we ask whether and how these variables may reflect surprise: the mismatch between one’s expectation about being correct and the outcome of a decision, when expectations fluctuate due to internal factors (e.g., engagement). We show that during an elementary decision task in the face of uncertainty both physiological markers of phasic arousal reflect surprise. We further show that pupil responses and slow wave event-related potential are unrelated to each other and that prediction error computations depend on feedback awareness. These results further advance our understanding of the role of central arousal systems in decision-making under uncertainty.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Diagnostic Clinical Decision Support: A Pre-Post Implementation Study of CORAL (COvid Risk cALculator)
Authors: Dugdale Caitlin M , Rubins David M , Lee Hang , McCluskey Suzanne M , Ryan Edward T , Kotton Camille N , Hurtado Rocio M , Ciaranello Andrea L , Barshak Miriam B , McEvoy Dustin S , Nelson Sandra B , Basgoz Nesli , Lazarus Jacob E , Ivers Louise C , Reedy Jennifer L , Hysell Kristen M , Lemieux Jacob E , Heller Howard M , Dutta Sayon , Albin John S , Brown Tyler S , Miller Amy L , Calderwood Stephen B , Walensky Rochelle P , Zachary Kimon C , Hooper David C , Hyle Emily P , Shenoy Erica S
Published: February 2021

Background

Isolation of hospitalized persons under investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reduces nosocomial transmission risk. Efficient evaluation of PUIs is needed to preserve scarce healthcare resources. We describe the development, implementation, and outcomes of an inpatient diagnostic algorithm and clinical decision support system (CDSS) to evaluate PUIs.

Methods

We conducted a pre-post study of CORAL (COvid Risk cALculator), a CDSS that guides frontline clinicians through a risk-stratified COVID-19 diagnostic workup, removes transmission-based precautions when workup is complete and negative, and triages complex cases to infectious diseases (ID) physician review. Before CORAL, ID physicians reviewed all PUI records to guide workup and precautions. After CORAL, frontline clinicians evaluated PUIs directly using CORAL. We compared pre- and post-CORAL frequency of repeated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), time from NAAT result to PUI status discontinuation, total duration of PUI status, and ID physician work hours, using linear and logistic regression, adjusted for COVID-19 incidence.

Results

Fewer PUIs underwent repeated testing after an initial negative NAAT after CORAL than before CORAL (54% vs 67%, respectively; adjusted odd ratio, 0.53 [95% confidence interval, .44–.63]; P < .01). CORAL significantly reduced average time to PUI status discontinuation (adjusted difference [standard error], −7.4 [0.8] hours per patient), total duration of PUI status (−19.5 [1.9] hours per patient), and average ID physician work-hours (−57.4 [2.0] hours per day) (all P < .01). No patients had a positive NAAT result within 7 days after discontinuation of precautions via CORAL.

Conclusions

CORAL is an efficient and effective CDSS to guide frontline clinicians through the diagnostic evaluation of PUIs and safe discontinuation of precautions.
DAS181 Treatment of Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Parainfluenza Virus Infection in Immunocompromised Patients: A Phase 2 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Chemaly Roy F , Marty Francisco M , Wolfe Cameron R , Lawrence Steven J , Dadwal Sanjeet , Soave Rosemary , Farthing Jason , Hawley Stephen , Montanez Paul , Hwang Jimmy , Ho Jennifer Hui-Chun , Lewis Stanley , Wang George , Boeckh Michael
Published: February 2021

Background

There are no antiviral therapies for parainfluenza virus (PIV) infections. DAS181, a sialidase fusion protein, has demonstrated activity in in vitro and in animal models of PIV.

Methods

Adult immunocompromised patients diagnosed with PIV lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) who required oxygen supplementation were randomized 2:1 to nebulized DAS181 (4.5 mg/day) or matching placebo for up to 10 days. Randomization was stratified by need for mechanical ventilation (MV) or supplemental oxygen (SO). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients reaching clinical stability survival (CSS) defined as returning to room air (RTRA), normalization of vital signs for at least 24 hours, and survival up to day 45 from enrollment.

Results

A total of 111 patients were randomized to DAS181 (n = 74) or placebo (n = 37). CSS was achieved by 45.0% DAS181-treated patients in the SO stratum compared with 31.0% for placebo (P = .15), whereas patients on MV had no benefit from DAS181. The proportion of patients achieving RTRA was numerically higher for SO stratum DAS181 patients (51.7%) compared with placebo (34.5%) at day 28 (P = .17). In a post hoc analysis of solid organ transplant, hematopoietic cell transplantation within 1 year, or chemotherapy within 1 year, more SO stratum patients achieved RTRA on DAS181 (51.8%) compared with placebo (15.8%) by day 28 (P = .012).

Conclusions

The primary endpoint was not met, but post hoc analysis of the RTRA component suggests DAS181 may have clinical activity in improving oxygenation in select severely immunocompromised patients with PIV LRTI who are not on mechanical ventilation.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01644877.
Comparison of Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Cycle Threshold Values From Respiratory Specimens in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Children With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection
Authors: Strutner John , Ramchandar Nanda , Dubey Shruti , Gamboa Mary , Vanderpool Michelle K , Mueller Teresa , Wang Wei , Cannavino Christopher , Tovar Padua Leidy , Malicki Denise , Pong Alice
Published: February 2021

Background

Understanding viral kinetics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is important to assess risk of transmission, manage treatment, and determine the need for isolation and protective equipment. The impact of viral load in asymptomatic infected children is important to understand transmission potential. We sought to determine whether children deemed to be asymptomatic had a difference in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) value of respiratory samples from symptomatic children with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study to compare PCR Ct values of children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by respiratory samples collected over a 4-month period at a large tertiary care children’s hospital.

Results

We analyzed 728 children who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) from a respiratory sample over a 4-month period and for whom data were available in the electronic medical record. Overall, 71.2% of infected children were symptomatic. The mean Ct value for symptomatic patients (Ct mean, 19.9 [standard deviation, 6.3]) was significantly lower than for asymptomatic patients (Ct mean, 23.5 [standard deviation, 6.9]) (P < .001; 95% confidence interval, 2.6–4.6). The mean PCR Ct value was lowest in children <5 years of age.

Conclusions

In this retrospective review of children who tested positive by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2, the mean Ct was significantly lower in symptomatic children and was lowest in children <5 years of age, indicating that symptomatic children and younger children infected with SARS-CoV-2 may have a higher viral load in the nasopharynx compared to asymptomatic children. Further studies are needed to assess the transmission potential from asymptomatic children.
Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab for Ulcerative Colitis From 2 Tertiary IBD Centers in the United States
Authors: Hong Simon J , Krugliak Cleveland Noa , Akiyama Shintaro , Zullow Samantha , Yi Yangtian , Shaffer Seth R , Malter Lisa B , Axelrad Jordan E , Chang Shannon , Hudesman David P , Rubin David T
Published: February 2021

Background

Ustekinumab has been recently approved for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). The registry trials for ustekinumab in UC demonstrated efficacy and safety, but data on real-world outcomes are limited. We describe the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in patients with UC from 2 US tertiary inflammatory bowel disease centers.

Methods

Patients with moderately to severely active UC treated with ustekinumab at NYU Langone Health (New York, New York) and University of Chicago Medical Center (Chicago, Illinois) between January 2016 and March 2020 were retrospectively included. The primary outcome was clinical remission at 3 and 12 months, defined as a partial Mayo score of ≤2, with a combined rectal bleeding and stool frequency subscore of ≤1.

Results

Sixty-six UC patients were included. Ninety-two percent of patients had prior exposure to biologics or tofacitinib. Forty-three percent and 45% of patients achieved clinical remission by 3 and 12 months, respectively. Anti-TNF nonresponse and endoscopic Mayo score of 3 were negative predictors of clinical remission. Thirty-three percent of those followed for a year achieved concurrent endoscopic and histologic healing, which was significantly associated with lower partial Mayo score (P < 0.01) and lower stool frequency (P = 0.02). Serious adverse events occurred in 4 (6%) patients (3 UC exacerbations, 1 vasculitis).

Conclusions

In this cohort of mostly biologic-refractory UC patients, treatment with ustekinumab achieved remission in nearly half of them at 12 months, and was associated with an overall favorable safety profile. These results are modestly better than the pivotal trials.
Phylogeny of drepanosiphine aphids sensu lato (Hemiptera, Aphidoidea) inferred from molecular and morphological data
Authors: Du Congcong , Chen Jing , Jiang Liyun , Qiao Gexia
Published: February 2021

As the second largest and most diverse group in the superfamily Aphidoidea, the phylogeny of drepanosiphine aphids sensu lato (s.l.) is critical for discussing the evolution of aphids. However, the taxa composition and phylogenetic relationships of drepanosiphine aphids s.l. have not been fully elucidated to date. In this study, based on total-evidence analyses combining 4 molecular genes (3 mitochondrial, COI, tRNA-Leu/COII, and CytB; 1 nuclear, EF-1ɑ) and 64 morphological and biological characteristics, the phylogeny of this group was reconstructed for the first time at the subfamily level using different datasets, parsimonies and model-based methods. All of our phylogenetic inferences clearly indicated that the drepanosiphine aphids s.l. was not a monophyletic group and seemed to support the division of the drepanosiphine aphids s.l. into different groups classified at the subfamily level. Calaphidinae was also not a monophyletic group, and Saltusaphidinae was nested within this subfamily. Drepanosiphinae was not clustered with Chaitophorinae, which was inconsistent with the previous hypothesis of a close relationship between them, illustrating that their phylogeny remains controversial. Overall, some groups of drepanosiphine aphids s.l., including Phyllaphidinae, Macropodaphidinae, Pterastheniinae, Lizeriinae, Drepanosiphinae, Spicaphidinae, Saltusaphidinae, and Calaphidinae, clustered together and might constitute the actual drepanosiphine aphids s.l. To a certain extent, our results clarified the phylogenetic relationships among drepanosiphine aphids s.l. and confirmed their taxonomic status as subfamilies.
Teacher talk in EAP classes: transition to post-liminal understanding
Authors: Pourhaji Mostafa , Sadeghi Michael
Published: February 2021

Effective teacher talk has been reported to be dependent upon the teacher having post-liminal (higher levels of) understanding and has been operationalized as aligning one’s talk with the pedagogic purpose. In EAP classes, however, there are some instances where enacting effective teacher talk can be challenging. This article reports on one such instance by drawing on fifty-one hours of classroom video-recordings and seventeen hours of reflective meetings. It explores EAP teachers’ responses to learner initiatives, tapping into the teachers’ subject knowledge deficit. It also examines the potential of data-led dialogic reflective practice to enable teachers to skilfully manage the interacting influences of face, authority, ethics, input, and learner participation in EAP classes.
Use and non-use values to explain farmers’ motivation for the provision of animal welfare
Authors: Owusu-Sekyere Enoch , Hansson Helena , Telezhenko Evgenij
Published: February 2021

This paper examines how differences in motivation in terms of use and non-use values affect the choice of animal welfare improvement practices. The application is focused on Swedish dairy farmers’ preferences for different flooring systems’ attributes. Using multiple indicators and multiple causes and hybrid latent class models, the findings demonstrate that dairy farmers who favour flooring solutions that enhance farm animal welfare are motivated by a complex set of both use values relating to internal and external pressures and non-use values linked to animal freedom, ethical codes of farmers and building business-to-customer relationships. The findings imply that measures to stimulate more uptake of animal welfare improvement practices can be better targeted by using insights into motivational constructs of farmers and by adopting policy communication that captures the whole breadth of use and non-use motivational constructs held by farmers.
Stand Assessment through Lidar-Based Forest Visualization Using Immersive Virtual Environment Technology
Authors: Fujisaki Ikuko , Evans David L. , Moorhead Robert J. , Irby Derek W. , Mohammadi-Aragh Mahnas Jean , Roberts Scott D. , Gerard Patrick D.
Published: February 2021

This study examined the utility of light detection and ranging (lidar) remote sensing combined with immersive virtual environment technology for timber stand assessment. Lidar data were used to identify locations and extract dimensional information of trees in immature and mature loblolly pine (Pinas taeda, L) stands in northeast Mississippi. Computer visualized stands were built on the basis of lidar measurements and were projected with an interactive room-size stereoscopic display. Representational quality of lidar-based virtual forests was assessed through stand descriptions made by human subjects recruited from the Department of Forestry at Mississippi State University. Subjects examined either field-recorded videos or computer visualizations of immature and mature stands and estimated stocking, tree size class, height class, rotation stage, stand structure, and hardwood competition of each stand. Estimated stand characteristics by the two groups were compared. Significant viewer group differences were found in height class and rotation stage but not in other characteristics. Discussion includes how the immersive virtual environment technologies are potentially useful in natural resources management. Further study of economic aspects and interface development would be required to promote these technologies to an operational system.
Deriving Tree Diameter Growth and Probability of Survival Equations from Successive Diameter Distributions
Authors: Matney Thomas G. , Schultz Emily B.
Published: February 2021

Many growth and yield models have used statistical probability distributions to estimate the diameter distribution of a stand at any age. Equations for approximating individual tree diameter growth and survival probabilities from dbh can be derived from these models. A general procedure for determining the functions is discussed and illustrated using a loblolly pine spacing study. The results from the spacing study show that it is possible to define tree diameter growth and survival probability functions from diameter distributions with an accuracy sufficient to obtain a link between the individual tree and diameter growth and yield models.
Stand-Level Forest Structure and Avian Habitat: Scale Dependencies in Predicting Occurrence in a Heterogeneous Forest
Authors: Smith Katherine Manaras , Keeton William S. , Donovan Therese M. , Mitchell Brian
Published: February 2021

We explored the role of stand-level forest structure and spatial extent of forest sampling in models of avian occurrence in northern hardwood-conifer forests for two species: black-throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) and ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus). We estimated site occupancy from point counts at 20 sites and characterized the forest structure at these sites at three spatial extents (0.2, 3.0, and 12.0 ha). Weight of evidence was greatest for habitat models using forest stand structure at the 12.0-ha extent and diminished only slightly at the 3.0-ha extent, a scale that was slightly larger than the average territory size of both species. Habitat models characterized at the 0.2-ha extent had low support, yet are the closest in design to those used in many of the habitat studies we reviewed. These results suggest that the role of stand-level vegetation may have been underestimated in the past, which will be of interest to land managers who use habitat models to assess the suitability of habitat for species of concern.
Modeling Airtanker Flight Distance between Concurrent Fires: The Development and Use of Statistical Distribution Parameters
Authors: Greulich Francis E.
Published: February 2021

Airtankers, while actively engaging in initial attack, are sometimes reassigned and flown directly to another randomly occurring initial attack fire. Airtanker system planning that means to incorporate this fire-to-fire transfer activity needs information about the flight distance between these randomly located fires. Moments of the distance distribution, derived in this article, can be used to characterize and evaluate fire-to-fire airtanker dispatch within and between protection areas. A hypothetical example illustrates how a proposed change in an airtanker protection zone can affect not only airbase-to-fire flight distance but also fire-to-fire flight distance. In this example, the expected airbase-to-fire distance and the expected total transfer-flight distance are both significantly reduced, but at the same time, somewhat unexpectedly, the average fire-to-fire flight distance actually increases. The discovery and quantification of such unanticipated results can potentially influence airtanker system design. These key system design parameters can now be obtained through the exceedingly fast and accurate analytical methods presented here.
Investigation of Some Sector Sampling Statistical Properties
Authors: Smith Nick J. , Iles Kim , Raynor Kurt
Published: February 2021

Sector sampling is designed to sample objects in clusters or small, irregularly shaped polygons, such as variable retention patches and associated harvested areas. A number of statistical aspects of sector sampling were examined by using real data and a resampling framework. When the sector angle is selected at random, the probability of sampling each tree is the same; thus, a simple expansion factor method is all that is required to calculate tract totals and mean tree values. Standard variance formulas can then be used. For unit area estimates (such as basal area per hectare) a ratio-of-means estimator balances the areas in different-sized sectors. However, both the ratio-of-means mean and variance may be underestimated. An empirical correction to the biased variance estimator was derived. Alternatively, an unbiased and also more efficient unit area estimate can be made using a random point sector angle selection with a mean-of-ratios method. In this case standard variance formulas can again be used. A systematic sector arrangement reduced variance under an expansion factor but did not reduce variance using a ratio-of-means approach where sector area was already considered.
Artificial Regeneration of Major Oak (Quercus) Species in the Eastern United States—A Review of the Literature
Authors: Dey Daniel C. , Jacobs Douglass , McNabb Ken , Miller Gary , Baldwin V. , Foster G.
Published: February 2021

Although natural regeneration is often the best method for establishing new oak (Quercus spp.) stands, there are increasingly more situations in which high potential for oak regeneration failure dictates the use of artificial regeneration including direct seeding and planting seedlings. Additionally, afforestation planting programs frequently incorporate oak species. Artificial regeneration of oak stands is challenging for numerous reasons. In this article we synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding growing and planting the major oak species in the eastern United States, point out critical research gaps, and provide some general growing, planting, and stand tending guidelines and recommendations. Adequate site preparation, careful planting of healthy, genetically adapted seed or seedlings of high morphological and physiological quality, and subsequent control of competing vegetation and browse damage are necessary actions to assure regeneration success. Oak seedling survival in the early years after planting or seeding is a poor indicator of regeneration success. Successful regeneration may be defined as having a desired proportion of the oak planting stock reach dominant/codominant status in the stand. The costs of all activities required to produce a successful oak tree in the future stand should be considered in economic comparison of alternative prescriptions for oak regeneration.
Trans-acting genetic variation affects the expression of adjacent genes
Authors: Van Dyke Krisna , Lutz Sheila , Mekonnen Gemechu , Myers Chad L , Albert Frank W
Published: February 2021

Gene expression differences among individuals are shaped by trans-acting expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). Most trans-eQTLs map to hotspot locations that influence many genes. The molecular mechanisms perturbed by hotspots are often assumed to involve “vertical” cascades of effects in pathways that can ultimately affect the expression of thousands of genes. Here, we report that trans-eQTLs can affect the expression of adjacent genes via “horizontal” mechanisms that extend along a chromosome. Genes affected by trans-eQTL hotspots in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were more likely to be located next to each other than expected by chance. These paired hotspot effects tended to occur at adjacent genes that also show coexpression in response to genetic and environmental perturbations, suggesting shared mechanisms. Physical proximity and shared chromatin state, in addition to regulation of adjacent genes by similar transcription factors, were independently associated with paired hotspot effects among adjacent genes. Paired effects of trans-eQTLs can occur at neighboring genes even when these genes do not share a common function. This phenomenon could result in unexpected connections between regulatory genetic variation and phenotypes.
Innate immunity to yeast prions: Btn2p and Cur1p curing of the [URE3] prion is prevented by 60S ribosomal protein deficiency or ubiquitin/proteasome system overactivity
Authors: Bezsonov Evgeny E , Edskes Herman K , Wickner Reed B
Published: February 2021

[URE3] is an amyloid-based prion of Ure2p, a negative regulator of poor nitrogen source catabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Overproduced Btn2p or its paralog Cur1p, in processes requiring Hsp42, cure the [URE3] prion. Btn2p cures by collecting Ure2p amyloid filaments at one place in the cell. We find that rpl4aΔ, rpl21aΔ, rpl21bΔ, rpl11bΔ, and rpl16bΔ (large ribosomal subunit proteins) or ubr2Δ (ubiquitin ligase targeting Rpn4p, an activator of proteasome genes) reduce curing by overproduced Btn2p or Cur1p. Impaired curing in ubr2Δ or rpl21bΔ is restored by an rpn4Δ mutation. No effect of rps14aΔ or rps30bΔ on curing was observed, indicating that 60S subunit deficiency specifically impairs curing. Levels of Hsp42p, Sis1p, or Btn3p are unchanged in rpl4aΔ, rpl21bΔ, or ubr2Δ mutants. Overproduction of Cur1p or Btn2p was enhanced in rpn4Δ and hsp42Δ mutants, lower in ubr2Δ strains, and restored to above wild-type levels in rpn4Δ ubr2Δ strains. As in the wild-type, Ure2N-GFP colocalizes with Btn2-RFP in rpl4aΔ, rpl21bΔ, or ubr2Δ strains, but not in hsp42Δ. Btn2p/Cur1p overproduction cures [URE3] variants with low seed number, but seed number is not increased in rpl4aΔ, rpl21bΔ or ubr2Δ mutants. Knockouts of genes required for the protein sorting function of Btn2p did not affect curing of [URE3], nor did inactivation of the Hsp104 prion-curing activity. Overactivity of the ubiquitin/proteasome system, resulting from 60S subunit deficiency or ubr2Δ, may impair Cur1p and Btn2p curing of [URE3] by degrading Cur1p, Btn2p or another component of these curing systems.
Seismicity in the central and southeastern United States due to upper mantle heterogeneities
Authors: Saxena Arushi , Choi Eunseo , Powell Christine A , Aslam Khurram S
Published: February 2021

Sources of stress responsible for earthquakes occurring in the Central and Eastern United States (CEUS) include not only far-field plate boundary forces but also various local contributions. In this study, we model stress fields due to heterogeneities in the upper mantle beneath the CEUS including a high-velocity feature identified as a lithospheric drip in a recent regional P-wave tomography study. We calculate velocity and stress distributions from numerical models for instantaneous 3-D mantle flow. Our models are driven by the heterogeneous density distribution based on a temperature field converted from the tomography study. The temperature field is utilized in a composite rheology, assumed for the numerical models. We compute several geodynamic quantities with our numerical models: dynamic topography, rate of dynamic topography, gravitational potential energy (GPE), differential stress, and Coulomb stress. We find that the GPE, representative of the density anomalies in the lithosphere, is an important factor for understanding the seismicity of the CEUS. When only the upper mantle heterogeneities are included in a model, differential and Coulomb stress for the observed fault geometries in the CEUS seismic zones acts as a good indicator to predict the seismicity distribution. Our modelling results suggest that the upper mantle heterogeneities and structure below the CEUS have stress concentration effects and are likely to promote earthquake generation at preexisting faults in the region’s seismic zones. Our results imply that the mantle flow due to the upper-mantle heterogeneities can cause stress perturbations, which could help explain the intraplate seismicity in this region.
Dementia with Lewy bodies—associated ß-synuclein mutations V70M and P123H cause mutation-specific neuropathological lesions
Authors: Psol Maryna , Darvas Sofia Guerin , Leite Kristian , Mahajani Sameehan U , Bähr Mathias , Kügler Sebastian
Published: February 2021

Beta (ß)-synuclein (ß-Syn) has long been considered to be an attenuator for the neuropathological effects caused by the Parkinson’s disease-related alpha (α)-synuclein (α-Syn) protein. However, recent studies demonstrated that overabundant ß-Syn can form aggregates and induce neurodegeneration in central nervous system (CNS) neurons in vitro and in vivo, albeit at a slower pace as compared with α-Syn. Here, we demonstrate that ß-Syn mutants V70M, detected in a sporadic case of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and P123H, detected in a familial case of DLB, robustly aggravate the neurotoxic potential of ß-Syn. Intriguingly, the two mutations trigger mutually exclusive pathways. ß-Syn V70M enhances morphological mitochondrial deterioration and degeneration of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons, but it has no influence on neuronal network activity. Conversely, ß-Syn P123H silences neuronal network activity, but it does not aggravate neurodegeneration. ß-Syn wild type (WT), V70M and P123H formed proteinase K-resistant intracellular fibrils within neurons, albeit with less stable C-termini as compared with α-Syn. Under cell-free conditions, ß-Syn V70M demonstrated a much slower pace of fibril formation as compared with WT ß-Syn, and P123H fibrils present with a unique phenotype characterized by large numbers of short, truncated fibrils. Thus, it is possible that V70M and P123H cause structural alterations in ß-Syn, which are linked to their distinct neuropathological profiles. The extent of the lesions caused by these neuropathological profiles is almost identical to that of overabundant α-Syn and is thus likely to be directly involved into the etiology of DLB. Overall, this study provides insights into distinct disease mechanisms caused by mutations of ß-Syn.
Progressing diversification and biogeography of the mesopelagic Nematoscelis (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) in the Atlantic
Authors: Kulagin D N , Lunina A A , Simakova U V , Vereshchaka A L
Published: February 2021

Evolutionary mechanisms driving the diversification of pelagic animals remain poorly understood, partly due to the high levels of gene flow in the open ocean. We use molecular phylogenetics, morphological, and phylogeographic approaches to test the allopatric speciation model in respect to the Atlantic krill genus Nematoscelis. Based on our observations, we hypothesize that diversification in genus Nematoscelis may occur through three progressing stages: (i) populations separated geographically and divergence occurred in the mitochondrial COI gene only (Nematoscelis megalops, one clade of Nematoscelis tenella), (ii) morphology diverged (clades of Nematoscelis microps and Nematoscelis atlantica), and (iii) the nuclear H3 gene diverged (clades of N. tenella). Our results confirm allopatric expectations and the dispersal-limiting speciation model. We propose that the primary driver of diversification is geographic isolation coupled with hydrology-linked gene barriers at ∼14–22°N (new) and ∼30°S. The second driver preventing hybridization of diverged populations is linked to external morphology, i.e. enlarged photophores and chitin saddles on the pleon of males, which facilitate sexual selection by female choice. Same-male forms, even belonging to different species, rarely co-occur, which makes the selection effective and not biased. Our results implicate a significant role of non-copulatory characters in Nematoscelis speciation.