bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A non‐European European Union
Authors: Harb Siba
Published: February 2022

The European Union (EU) is a union among some of the wealthiest and most powerful states in the world. It is desirable to become part of it; indeed, many states would want to be part of it. However, only a handful of states are eligible to be considered for membership. We are normally wary of unions of powerful individuals that exclude less powerful individuals. And we ought to have concerns about the permissibility of having an exclusive union like the EU. Yet, and to the best of my knowledge, its status as an exclusive union has not been subject to question, certainly not in the philosophical literature on EU justice. In this paper, I focus on the legitimacy of one particular EU exclusion rule: For a state to be eligible for membership it must be European. I argue that this criterion is illegitimate.
Deriving Decisions from Disrupted Data
Authors: Sireci Stephen G. , Suarez‐Alvarez Javier
Published: February 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic negatively affected the quality of data from educational testing programs. These data were previously used for many important purposes ranging from placing students in instructional programs to school accountability. In this article, we draw from the research design literature to point out the limitations inherent in “disrupted” educational testing data, suggest questions and criteria to be considered in evaluating the use of such data for decision making, and indicate how such data may be valid or invalid for specific purposes. Six criteria are proposed for evaluating the degree to which educational testing data are valid for specific decisions. These criteria suggest data from COVID‐disrupted school years are not likely to be valid for accountability purposes, but may be valuable for making decisions at the individual student level. Thus, we encourage researchers and policy makers to focus on how decisions derived from such disrupted data affect children.
Capturing indirect genetic effects on phenotypic variability: Competition meets canalization
Authors: Marjanovic Jovana , Mulder Han A. , Rönnegård Lars , de Koning Dirk‐Jan , Bijma Piter
Published: February 2022

Phenotypic variability of a genotype is relevant both in natural and domestic populations. In the past two decades, variability has been studied as a heritable quantitative genetic trait in its own right, often referred to as inherited variability or environmental canalization. So far, studies on inherited variability have only considered genetic effects of the focal individual, that is, direct genetic effects on inherited variability. Observations from aquaculture populations and some plants, however, suggest that an additional source of genetic variation in inherited variability may be generated through competition. Social interactions, such as competition, are often a source of Indirect Genetic Effects (IGE). An IGE is a heritable effect of an individual on the trait value of another individual. IGEs may substantially affect heritable variation underlying the trait, and the direction and magnitude of response to selection. To understand the contribution of IGEs to evolution of environmental canalization in natural populations, and to exploit such inherited variability in animal and plant breeding, we need statistical models to capture this effect. To our knowledge, it is unknown to what extent the current statistical models commonly used for IGE and inherited variability capture the effect of competition on inherited variability. Here, we investigate the potential of current statistical models for inherited variability and trait values, to capture the direct and indirect genetic effects of competition on variability. Our results show that a direct model of inherited variability almost entirely captures the genetic sensitivity of individuals to competition, whereas an indirect model of inherited variability captures the cooperative genetic effects of individuals on their partners. Models for trait levels, however, capture only a small part of the genetic effects of competition. The estimation of direct and indirect genetic effects of competition, therefore, is possible with models for inherited variability but may require a two‐step analysis.
Seeing the forest for the trees: Assessing genetic offset predictions from gradient forest
Authors: Láruson Áki Jarl , Fitzpatrick Matthew C. , Keller Stephen R. , Haller Benjamin C. , Lotterhos Katie E.
Published: February 2022

Gradient Forest (GF) is a machine learning algorithm designed to analyze spatial patterns of biodiversity as a function of environmental gradients. An offset measure between the GF‐predicted environmental association of adapted alleles and a new environment (GF Offset) is increasingly being used to predict the loss of environmentally adapted alleles under rapid environmental change, but remains mostly untested for this purpose. Here, we explore the robustness of GF Offset to assumption violations, and its relationship to measures of fitness, using SLiM simulations with explicit genome architecture and a spatial metapopulation. We evaluate measures of GF Offset in: (1) a neutral model with no environmental adaptation; (2) a monogenic “population genetic” model with a single environmentally adapted locus; and (3) a polygenic “quantitative genetic” model with two adaptive traits, each adapting to a different environment. We found GF Offset to be broadly correlated with fitness offsets under both single locus and polygenic architectures. However, neutral demography, genomic architecture, and the nature of the adaptive environment can all confound relationships between GF Offset and fitness. GF Offset is a promising tool, but it is important to understand its limitations and underlying assumptions, especially when used in the context of predicting maladaptation.
Impact fatigue life improvement of bonded structures using the bi‐adhesive technique
Authors: Akhavan‐Safar Alireza , Eisaabadi B. Ghasem , Jalali Shahin , Beygi Reza , da Silva Lucas F. M.
Published: February 2022

One of the most efficient methods of improving the strength of adhesive bonds is the bi‐adhesive technique. The main aim of the current study is to investigate the fatigue life of bi‐adhesive joints under cyclic impact loads based on the J‐N (impact energy vs. fatigue life) methodology. To achieve this, single lap joints were subjected to cyclic low energy impacts. The J‐N curves were constructed using the experimental data considering Basquin's equation. According to the results, the durability of the joints against impact fatigue loads can be improved significantly (up to 17 times higher for the tested joints) using the bi‐adhesive technique. The results also showed that the impact fatigue life is very sensitive to the length ratio of the ductile to the brittle adhesives in bi‐adhesive joints. It was found that the total absorbed energy of the joints increases significantly by the reduction of the impact energy.
Association between neighborhood walkability and social participation in community‐dwelling older adults in Japan: A cross‐sectional analysis of the keeping active across generations uniting the youth and the aged study
Authors: Matsumoto Daisuke , Takatori Katsuhiko , Miyata Akiho , Yamasaki Naomi , Miyazaki Makoto , Imanishi Aya , Moon Jong‐Seong
Published: February 2022

Aim

This study investigated neighborhood walkability using Walk Score® and social participation in districts within a city among older Japanese adults.

Methods

This study was a cross‐sectional study using baseline data of older adults from the Keeping Active across Generations Uniting the Youth and the Aged study. In total, 2750 participants (1361 men and 1389 women, mean age 72.8 ± 6.4 years) were included in the analysis. The questionnaire included socioeconomic status, self‐rated health, medical history, depressive symptoms, instrumental activities of daily living and social participation. We used the Walk Score® as neighborhood walkability and a walk score <50 was categorized as a “car‐dependent” area and a score ≥50 as a “walkable” area. A Poisson regression analysis stratified by sex was performed to investigate the association of neighborhood walkability with social participation. Prevalence ratios were calculated and their 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We found that dwelling in car‐dependent areas (prevalence ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.64–0.94) had a significant negative effect on women's social participation, unlike men.

Conclusions

Our study showed that neighborhood walkability and social participation were associated with older Japanese women after adjusting for the covariates. These findings might provide helpful information for public health interventions targeted to promote social participation among older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 350–359.
Existential Theodicy as a Response to the Limits of Classic Theodicy on the Basis of Kierkegaard’s Religious Writings
Authors: Słowikowski Andrzej
Published: February 2022

The aim of this article is to reconstruct an existential vision of theodicy from the religious writings of Kierkegaard – one which could constitute a response to the limits of classic theodicy. As distinct from classic theodicy, which has an immanent and theoretical dimension, Kierkegaard’s considerations take a transcendent and practical form. Good and evil are not here objective and moral markers of a human’s life, but first and foremost determine the subjective and spiritual relationship of a human being with God. With this transcendent and spiritual account of good and evil it becomes possible to revalue their immanent vision and to show that what people consider good and evil in temporality constitutes not ultimate reality, but the possibility for spiritual reality – one in which what is ultimately good and evil for a human being is only decided in relation to God. Kierkegaard’s transcendent account of evil on the one hand provides a clear explanation of the problem of evil and suffering in the world, and on the other hand points out to the relativity of all immanent attempts to answer this question.
Effect of sleep on alertness at work among fixed night shift nurses: A prospective observational study
Authors: Seong Jinsol , Son Sungtaek , Min Ari
Published: February 2022

Aims

To identify patterns of declining alertness at work among fixed night shift nurses using an objective measure and to determine the effect of sleep parameters on the decline in alertness at work.

Design

A prospective observational study.

Methods

Data were collected from 65 fixed night shift nurses who provided direct nursing care for patients in Korean hospitals between September 2020 and March 2021. Participants wore an actigraph for 14 days on their non‐dominant hand to measure sleep parameters and predict their hourly alertness scores. They completed an online survey to provide their demographic information. Mixed‐effect models were employed to determine the association between sleep parameters and the decline in alertness.

Results

The alertness scores of fixed night shift nurses constantly dropped every working hour. Scores dropped below 20% after 4 h from the beginning of the shift and below 30% after 6 h. Increased minutes in bed, minutes asleep and sleep efficiency reduced the risk of decreased alertness scores below 70. Increased sleep latency was associated with an increased risk of alertness scores dropping below 70.

Conclusion

The alertness of fixed night shift nurses drops steeply during regular hours and remains low during overtime. Sleep parameters contribute to the decline in alertness at work among fixed night shift nurses.

Impact

This study identified patterns of decline in alertness among fixed night shift nurses and the contributing factors for this decline, using an objective measure. The findings have important implications for the development of future interventions to improve the sleep hygiene of fixed night shift nurses to enhance their alertness at work.
Masking ability of different ceramics upon various underlying structures
Authors: Juntavee Niwut , Juntavee Apa , Phetpanompond Sirintana
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate masking ability of different types and thicknesses of ceramics upon various substructures.

Materials and Methods

Discs (Ø 12 mm, thickness 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0 mm) were prepared from Bruxzir‐Anterior® (Bc), Celtra‐DUO® (Cc), and Vita‐Suprinity® (Vc) (n = 15/group). Substructures (2 mm thickness) were prepared from natural dentine (Ds), tetracycline‐stained dentine (Ts), zirconia (Zs), resin composite (Rs), and cast metal (Ms). A spectrophotometer was used to measure the CIE L*a*b* color coordinates of a specimen. Masking ability was determined from the color difference (∆E00) of ceramics between before‐ and after combining with substructure using ANOVA and Bonferroni test (α = 0.05). ∆E00 value was compared with acceptable clinical threshold (∆E00 = 1.8) and an ideal threshold (∆E00 = 0.8).

Results

Type‐thickness of ceramics and substructures were significantly affected ∆E00. Ts significantly influenced ∆E00 more than Rs, Ms, Zs, and Ds. No significant ∆E00 upon Ms and Zs was indicated. Bc completely masked Ts and Rs if thickness was ≥0.6 mm, and Zs, Ms, and Ds if ≥0.4 mm. Cc completely masked Ts and Rs if thickness was >1.6 mm, and Zs, Ms, and Ds if >1.4 mm. Vc completely masked Ts if thickness was >1.4 mm, Rs and Ms if >1.2 mm, and Zs and Ds if >1 mm.

Conclusion

Ts is the most influential substructure impact on color appearance, requiring a minimum thickness of 0.6 mm Bc, 1.2 mm Vc, or 1.6 mm Cc to be perfectly masked.

Clinical Significance

Masking ability was significantly influenced by the type and thickness of ceramic material and underlying structure. Monolithic zirconia had a significantly higher masking ability than lithium silicate/phosphate glass ceramic. Ts indicated the most influencial substructure impacting the color appearance of ceramic restoration, which require a minimum thickness of 0.6 mm Bc, 1.2 mm Vc, or 1.6 mm Cc to achieve ideal masking capability.
Evaluation of dermatoscopic findings of alopecia areata and tinea capitis in pediatric patients
Authors: Gundogdu Mustafa , Botsali Ayşenur
Published: February 2022

Objective

Pediatric patients often reveal localized alopecic foci on the scalp. The essential point upon approaching a child with localized alopecia is distinguishing the two most common causes, alopecia areata and tinea capitis, as their treatments are entirely different. Although potassium hydroxide examination is the preferred method for their clear distinction, dermatoscopy is also emerging as a rapid diagnostic tool. This study aimed to assess and compare the dermatoscopic findings of alopecia areata and tinea capitis.

Materials and Methods

Enrolled in this study were 34 children with tinea capitis and 21 children with alopecia areata admitted to a single‐center outpatient clinic between 2017 and 2021. The authors confirmed all children's diagnoses by an integrative evaluation of clinical features, potassium hydroxide examination results, and treatment response patterns. Clinical features and the variables of interest (dermatoscopic findings) were investigated through the medical records and the baseline dermatoscopic images.

Results

The most common dermatoscopic finding within the tinea capitis cohort was comma hairs, detected in 33 (97.1%) of the patients. Other findings of the tinea capitis group included squamation (n = 31, 91.2%), broken and dystrophic hairs (n = 30, 88.2%), corkscrew hairs (n = 24, 70.6%), zigzag hairs (n = 18, 52.9%), and pigtail hairs (n = 9, 26.5%). The most common dermatoscopic finding within the alopecia areata cohort was exclamation mark hairs (n = 13, 61.9%), that was followed by black dots (n = 9, 42.9%), yellow dots (n = 8, 38.1%), vellus hairs (n = 6, 28.6%), and broken and dystrophic hairs (n = 5, 23.8%).

Conclusion

Among the detailed evaluation of dermatoscopic findings of tinea capitis and alopecia areata patients, the only overlapping feature was dystrophic and broken hairs that could be present in both diseases; but were more common within the TC group than within the AA group (88.2% vs. 23.8%).
‘Nurses’ self‐management support to hospitalised patients: A scoping review
Authors: Otter Caroline E.M. , Keers Joost C. , Smit Jakobus , Schoonhoven Lisette , de Man‐van Ginkel Janneke M.
Published: February 2022

Aims and Objectives

To review the current literature to map and explore the interventions that have been considered or used by nurses to support adult patients’ self‐management during hospitalisation.

Background

Nurses can play an important role in supporting patients’ self‐management. Currently, however, it is unclear how nurses perform this task during a patient's stay in hospital. Traditionally, nurses take the primary role in managing patients’ care during hospitalisation. Ideally, patients should have the opportunity to continue applying strategies to manage their health conditions as much as possible while in the hospital. This can increase patients’ self‐efficacy and decrease unnecessary readmissions.

Design

Scoping review informed by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology.

Methods

A database search was undertaken using Pubmed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Cochrane, Embase and grey literature sources. Data from the included studies were mapped and summarised in a narrative summary. To synthesise the information that was given about each intervention, we conducted a qualitative inductive content analysis. Results are reported in accordance with the guidelines for reporting Items for systematic review and meta‐analyses extension for scoping review (PRISMA‐ScR) (Supplementary File 1).

Results

83 documents were included in this review. Based on the information about the interventions, three themes were identified: ‘self‐management support activities’, ‘focus of self‐management support’ and the ‘intervention procedure’. Five self‐management support activities can be distinguished: ‘giving education’, ‘counselling and coaching’, ‘enhancing responsibility’, ‘engaging family‐caregivers’ and ‘supporting transition from hospital to home’. The interventions focused on improving disease‐related knowledge and on strengthening several self‐management skills. Information about the procedure, development and the theoretical underpinning of the intervention was often limited.

Conclusions

Most activities within the nursing interventions to support adult patients’ self‐management during hospitalisation are the part of regular nursing care. However, the transfer of responsibility for care task to the patient is relatively new. Further research could focus on developing interventions addressing all aspects of self‐management and that are embedded in the patient's care pathway across settings.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinical nurses may improve nursing care by supporting all aspects of patients’ self‐management and facilitate patients as much as possible for taking responsibility for self‐management tasks during hospitalisation.
The Effect of Preceramic Soldering on Fracture Resistance of 4‐Unit Zirconia Fixed Dental Prostheses
Authors: İrem Diler Özkan , Cömert Zekeriya Yaşar , Alpkılıç Dilara Şeyma , Keleşoğlu Ergün , İşler Değer Sabire
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Preceramic soldering of zirconia may deliver better fitting restorations. However, there is not sufficient evidence regarding the influence of preceramic soldering of zirconia restorations on mechanical strength. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preceramic soldering on the fracture load of 4‐unit zirconia fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).

Materials and methods

Eighty samples of 4‐unit FDPs between maxillary right first premolar and maxillary right second molar were prepared and two restorative materials were used as a framework (Z) and monolithic restoration (M). The samples were divided into two subgroups as control (C) and study (S). The restorations of study groups (S) were divided into two pieces and soldered with a bonding material (DCM HotBond Zirkon). The groups were divided into two subgroups for thermal cycle (T) application. After soldering and thermal cycling application, 4‐point bending test was applied to the samples at a cross‐head speed of 1 mm/min in a universal testing machine and the fracture load was recorded. The data was analyzed statistically, and the level of significance was set at α = 0.001.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found among the groups, based on the results of maximum failure loads (p < 0.001). The highest mean failure load was observed in the ZCT(‐) group (1094.1 + 139.77 N), while the lowest mean failure load was obtained in the ZST(+) group (627.7 + 82.14 N). No significant difference was found among the groups MC and MS, MC, and ZC groups (p > 0.001). Thermal aging application caused lower fracture resistance in control and soldering groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The preceramic soldering applications affected zirconia group negatively. However, the values were above the clinically acceptable static load bearing capacity for posterior teeth. Soldering did not cause a statistically significant difference for the fracture strengths of monolithic zirconia groups. Thermal cycling affected the fracture strength of zirconia and monolithic zirconia restorations negatively.
Understanding how Canadian healthcare providers have learned to identify co‐occurring PTSD symptoms and dementia in Veterans
Authors: Ritchie Kim , Cramm Heidi , Aiken Alice , Donnelly Catherine , Goldie Catherine
Published: February 2022

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Little is known about how PTSD and dementia in Veterans is identified by health care providers.

What the paper adds to existing knowledge?

Healthcare providers identify those behavioural symptoms experienced by older people living with dementia that represent an unmet need associated with PTSD secondary to military service. Once healthcare providers recognize the presence of symptoms relevant to PTSD, they modify their care approach to include focused/tailored non‐pharmacological care interventions that address environmental and situational variables that reflect military action.

What are the implications for practice?

Specialized education and training is needed to improve the identification of PTSD when existent with other co‐occurring neurocognitive conditions such as delirium, dementia and depression.

Introduction

Co‐occurring PTSD and dementia in Veterans can be difficult to distinguish from dementia‐related responsive behaviours, which may result in inappropriate care management. Improved identification of PTSD and dementia is necessary to inform more appropriate and effective care for Veterans.

Aim/Question

The purpose of this study was to understand how Canadian healthcare providers have learned to identify the co‐occurrence of PTSD symptoms in Veterans with dementia.

Methods

Eight semi‐structured interviews employing the Critical Incident Technique were conducted with key informant healthcare providers who treat Veterans from across Canada. Framework analysis was used to code, sort and develop themes.

Results

Observed differences in Veterans with PTSD and dementia cued healthcare providers to seek our more information, leading to a new understanding of past trauma underlying the symptoms they observed. Healthcare providers then altered their usual care approaches to utilize trust‐based and validation‐oriented strategies resulting in more effective care management.

Discussion

Improvement in the identification of co‐occurring PTSD and dementia in Veterans requires specialized education and training for healthcare providers.

Implications for Practice

Recognizing the complex needs of older Veterans with co‐occurring PTSD and dementia is necessary for healthcare providers to implement more effective care for this population.

Relevance Statement

This paper provides mental health nurses with new understanding of co‐occurring PTSD and dementia in Veterans. With an ageing Veteran population in Canada, mental health nurses need to be knowledgeable about the care for Veteran specific mental health needs.
Effects of esterification, saturation and amount of fatty acids infused into the rumen or abomasum in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Litherland Noah B. , Beaulieu Angela Denise , Reynolds Christopher K. , Drackley James K.
Published: February 2022

Our objective was to determine the effects of chemical structure, amount, and site of infusion of long‐chain fatty acids (LCFA) in lactating dairy cows. Six multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 6 × 6 Latin square design with 21‐d periods. During d 1 to 14, 250 g/d of LCFA and during d 15 to 21, 500 g/d of LCFA were infused continuously into either the rumen or abomasum. Treatments were 1) Control (CONT); 200 g/d of meat solubles plus 12 g/d of Tween 80 in 10 L of water, administered half in the rumen and half in abomasum; 2) control plus mostly saturated LCFA into the abomasum (SFAA); 3) control plus mostly saturated LCFA into the rumen (SFAR); 4) control plus soy (mostly unsaturated LCFA) free fatty acids (FFA) into the abomasum (UFAA); 5) control plus soy triglycerides (TG) into the abomasum (TGA); and 6) control plus soy TG into the rumen (TGR). The first 10 d of each period were for adaptation and washout from the previous treatment. The diet consisted of 30% (dry matter basis) corn silage, 20% alfalfa silage and 50% concentrate. Cows infused with UFAA had lower dry matter intake and milk yield than those infused with SFAA or TGA and reductions were greater at the higher infusion amount. Milk fat yield was decreased by UFAA relative to other treatments. Unsaturated LCFA decreased milk fat yield more than saturated LCFA. All LCFA treatments decreased short‐ and medium‐chain FA in milk relative to CONT, with greatest decreases for UFAA. Apparent total tract digestibilities of nutrient fractions were decreased by UFAA compared with TGA and SFAA and tended to be lower at the higher infusion amount. Apparent digestibility of total fatty acids (FA) was greater for SFAR than for SFAA. Plasma glucagon‐like peptide‐1 was greater for cows infused with UFAA than SFAA or TGA and increased at the higher amount. Plasma cholecystokinin was greater for cows infused with LCFA compared with CONT. Postruminal unsaturated FFA reduced intake and digestibility of nutrients and FA compared with postruminal TG infusion; saturated FA did not decrease dry matter intake or disrupt nutrient digestion. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 may be involved in regulation of feed intake by long‐chain fatty acids.
Dilemmas of Immigrant Asylum Claims for Expert Witnesses
Authors: Jones Nathan P. , Campbell Howard
Published: February 2022

Expert witnesses are key players in immigration asylum proceedings. In many cases, their testimony is the difference between prompt deportation and some form of relief. However, political and economic structures overdetermine the factual and legal dimensions of immigrant asylum claims. The U.S. immigration system from its inception has been heavily politicized and discriminatory. The problem has become even more pronounced since the election of Donald Trump as president. This article examines political, economic, and ethical dilemmas of immigrant asylum claims for expert witnesses. These include issues related to the caliber of judges and lawyers, the geographic location of legal proceedings, challenges of telephonic versus in‐person testimony, moral questions regarding whether to participate in a rigged system, the weight given to expert opinions, unrealistic standards of evidence, obstacles to the presentation of social scientific data, and expert witness burnout.
A rice single cell transcriptomic atlas defines the developmental trajectories of rice floret and inflorescence meristems
Authors: Zong Jie , Wang Li , Zhu Lu , Bian Lianle , Zhang Bo , Chen Xiaofei , Huang Guoqiang , Zhang Xuelian , Fan Junyi , Cao Liming , Coupland George , Liang Wanqi , Zhang Dabing , Yuan Zheng
Published: February 2022

Rice inflorescence development determines yield and relies on the activity of axillary meristems (AMs); however, high‐resolution analysis of its early development is lacking.

Here, we have used high‐throughput single‐cell RNA sequencing to profile 37 571 rice inflorescence cells and constructed a genome‐scale gene expression resource covering the inflorescence‐to‐floret transition during early reproductive development. The differentiation trajectories of florets and AMs were reconstructed, and discrete cell types and groups of regulators in the highly heterogeneous young inflorescence were identified and then validated by in situ hybridization and with fluorescent marker lines.

Our data demonstrate that a WOX transcription factor, DWARF TILLER1, regulates flower meristem activity, and provide evidence for the role of auxin in rice inflorescence branching by exploring the expression and biological role of the auxin importer OsAUX1.

Our comprehensive transcriptomic atlas of early rice inflorescence development, supported by genetic evidence, provides single‐cell‐level insights into AM differentiation and floret development.
Genome of Hippophae rhamnoides provides insights into a conserved molecular mechanism in actinorhizal and rhizobial symbioses
Authors: Wu Zefeng , Chen Hongyun , Pan Ya , Feng Huan , Fang Dongming , Yang Jun , Wang Yayu , Yang Jun , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Liu Jianling , Xing Yu'e , Wang Xiaolin , Liu Min , Luo Xinyue , Gao Peng , Li Lifeng , Liu Zhongjian , Yang Huanming , Liu Xin , Xu Xun , Liu Huan , Wang Ertao
Published: February 2022

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a horticulturally multipurpose species in the family Elaeagnaceae, can build associations with Frankia actinomycetes to enable symbiotic nitrogen‐fixing. Currently, no high‐quality reference genome is available for an actinorhizal plant, which greatly hinders the study of actinorhizal symbiotic nodulation.

Here, by combining short‐read, long‐read and Hi‐C sequencing technologies, we generated a chromosome‐level reference genome of H. rhamnoides (scaffold N50: 65 Mb, and genome size: 730 Mb) and predicted 30 812 protein‐coding genes mainly on 12 pseudochromosomes.

Hippophae rhamnoides was found to share a high proportion of symbiotic nodulation genes with Medicago truncatula, implying a shared molecular mechanism between actinorhizal and rhizobial symbioses.

Phylogenetic analysis clustered the three paralogous NODULE INCEPTION (NIN) genes of H. rhamnoides with those of other nodulating species, forming the NIN group that most likely evolved from the ancestral NLP group. The genome of H. rhamnoides will help us to decipher the underlying genetic programming of actinorhizal symbiosis, and our high‐quality genome and transcriptomic resources will make H. rhamnoides a new excellent model plant for actinorhizal symbiosis research.
Dissecting fine root diameter distribution at the community level captures root morphological diversity
Authors: Erktan Amandine , Roumet Catherine , Munoz François
Published: February 2022

Characterizing plant functional diversity is essential to decipher community assembly rules and ecosystem functioning. Most studies focused on above‐ground traits whereas the analysis of root diversity lags far behind. We analyzed the structure of fine root (< 2 mm) diameter distribution at the community level as an indicator of root morphological diversity, and hypothesized that the shape of the distribution provide insights on root types and root exploration strategies. We tested this hypothesis along a successional gradient (6–69 year‐old) with yearly mowing to better understand assembly rules regarding to belowground processes, and explored the relations between the parameters describing its modes and the vegetation composition and ecological properties of plant communities. Most communities showed a multimodal distribution, with two main modes corresponding to absorptive roots (thinner root mode) and transport roots (coarser root mode), and a third mode of lower importance corresponding to large transport roots. In early succession, the thinnest root mode was prominent, reflecting the dominance of thin absorptive roots and a low proportion of transport roots, resulting in a low root morphological diversity. As succession proceeds, the relative proportion of the second mode increased, and the proportions of the two main modes were more balanced, resulting in an increased variance and root morphological diversity. Furthermore, the first root mode (absorptive roots) became wider and shifted from very thin to thicker roots, suggesting the coexistence of various root strategies for resource exploration. Yearly mowing did not affect root diameter distribution, which may relate to the relative low mowing pressure that enabled woody species to remain, with stunted stature. Overall, our study demonstrates that the distribution of fine root diameters sheds light on root morphological diversity at the community level, and provide hints on the co‐existence of root types and strategies for resource use and exploration.
The relationship between apelin and carotid intima media thickness, and the presence of plaque in dialysis patients
Authors: Karaer Büberci Refika , Öztekin Pelin Seher , Duranay Murat
Published: February 2022

Background

Apelin is a peptide that has important effects on the cardiovascular system due to its anti‐atherogenic properties and regulating blood pressure. There is not enough research evaluating the effects of apelin levels on the cardiovascular system in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients concurrently. The aim of this study was to determine apelin levels in dialysis, and control groups and to investigate the relationship between apelin and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT).

Materials and methods

Thirty three HD patients, 35 PD patients, and 15 healthy individuals were included in the study. All laboratory data, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), IL‐6, and apelin‐13 levels were analyzed. To prevent interobserver errors in CIMT measurement, the analyses were performed by a single radiologist.

Result

CIMT, presence of plaque, apelin, NT‐proBNP, IL‐6, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were higher in dialysis patients. There was a relationship between apelin and CIMT, and between apelin and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) in PD patients. Age, apelin, HDL, parathormone (PTH), glucose, and smoking were found to affect the presence of plaque in dialysis patients.

Conclusion

Apelin levels were high in dialysis patients. Especially in PD patients, there was a negative correlation between apelin and CIMT, and between apelin and HDL. Therefore, apelin may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in PD patients.
Combining exercise and nutrition in chronic kidney disease and dialysis: Can we learn from the performance nutrition of athletes?
Authors: Meade Anthony , McLaren Carla , Bennett Paul N.
Published: February 2022

The benefits of exercise interventions in individuals with chronic kidney disease have been widely reviewed; however, exercise has not yet been incorporated into routine clinical practice. In athletic populations, the goals of exercise training are to improve a specific aspect of physical performance such as strength or endurance, to ultimately optimize physical performance. This contrasts with many chronic kidney disease exercise studies where the goals are more aligned to a minimal effect, such as prevention of decline in physical function, frailty or protein energy wasting (PEW), weight loss for cardiovascular disease risk reduction, and risk minimization for mortality. In athletic populations, there are common targeted nutrition strategies used to optimize physical performance. In this review, we consider the evidence for and potential benefits of targeted nutrition strategies to complement well‐designed exercise interventions to improve physical performance in people with chronic kidney disease and dialysis. Overall, we found a small number of studies using targeted protein supplementation in combination with a variety of exercise protocols; however, results were mixed. Future studies in people with chronic kidney disease should optimize acute (pre, during, and postexercise) and chronic nutritional status, utilizing targeted nutrition interventions proven in athletes to have benefit.
Beyond donors: Toward a sociology of campaign expenditures
Authors: Katz Nathan
Published: February 2022

The sociology of campaign finance overwhelmingly focuses on donation patterns and ties between donors, lobbyists, and candidates. However, less attention has been paid to ideological influences on campaign finance reform and other forms of expenditures. As a result, the sociological understanding of the role of money in democracy has great potential for development. This paper suggests that the new institutionalist perspective, particularly when treating ideas as a causal force, allows for a stronger understanding of campaign finance reform's impact on the public sphere. It does so by linking campaign finance law, political organizing, and campaign spending, specifically for the purpose of political advertising, together. TheCitizens United v. FECSupreme Court ruling provides an empirical example of these institutionalizing effects, tracking its impact across all three components of the public sphere. Approaches to new institutionalist analysis of campaign finance are also discussed.
Feasibility considerations for free-fall tests of gravitational decoherence
Authors: Kaltenbaek R.
Published: February 2022

Space offers exciting opportunities to test the foundations of quantum physics using macroscopic quantum superpositions. It has been proposed to perform such tests in a dedicated space mission (MAQRO) using matter-wave interferometry with massive test particles or monitoring how the wave function of a test particle expands over time. Such experiments could test quantum physics with sufficiently high precision to resolve potential deviations from its unitary evolution due to gravitational decoherence. For example, such deviations have been predicted by the Diósi–Penrose (DP) model and the Károlyházy (K) model. The former predicts the collapse of massive or large superpositions due to a nonlinear modification of quantum evolution. The latter predicts decoherence because of an underlying uncertainty of space time. Potential advantages of a space environment are (1) long free-fall times, (2) low noise, and (3) taking a high number of data points over several years in a dedicated space mission. In contrast to interferometric tests, monitoring wave function expansion is less complex, but it does face some practical limitations. Here, we will discuss limitations of such non-interferometric experiments due to the limited number of data points achievable during a mission lifetime. Our results show that it will require an interferometric approach to conclusively test for gravitational decoherence as predicted by the DP or K models. In honor of the Nobel prize of Sir Roger Penrose, we will focus our discussion on the Diósi–Penrose model.
Reflection on Collins' split-step Padé solution for the parabolic equation
Authors: Chen Chi-Fang
Published: February 2022

The Reflections series takes a look back on historical articles from The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America that have had a significant impact on the science and practice of acoustics.
Decorrelated compounding improves lesion signal-to-noise ratio of low-contrast lesions in synthetic transmit aperture ultrasound imaging
Authors: Zhao Na , Xu Yuan
Published: February 2022

Speckle variance in ultrasound images limits the detection of low-contrast targets. In conventional compounding, multiple correlated sub-images are generated and then averaged to reduce the speckles at the cost of resolution loss. In this paper, a decorrelation procedure was applied to the correlated sub-images to further reduce speckle variance. Lesion signal-to-noise-ratio (lSNR), which combines the effect of speckle reduction and resolution loss, was used as an indicator of the detectability of lesions. The lSNR of the hyperechoic lesion in the simulated and experimental images using decorrelated compounding was increased by 122% and 89%, respectively, compared to the delay-and-sum method.
The relationship between bubble concentration and the acoustic emission energy of separate frequency bands
Authors: Sujarittam Krit , Choi James J.
Published: February 2022

This letter presents the relationship between bubble concentration and the energy ratio of low to high frequency bands of their acoustic emissions. Two sensors, placed perpendicular and concentric to a transmitter, captured the emissions from sonicated microbubbles. Emissions from different bubbles arrived at the perpendicular sensor with small time differences. Low frequencies with periods longer than the time differences interfered constructively, while higher frequencies interfered both constructively and destructively. The low-frequency (2nd–3rd harmonics) to high-frequency (7th–12th harmonics) energy ratio increased with the bubble concentration. The relationship was not observed with the concentric sensor, where the time differences were larger.
The World is Watching Women’s Soccer: Audiences’ Multiplatform Experience During the World Cup
Authors: Tang Tang , Schallhorn Christiana , Guo Qing , Coombs Danielle Sarver
Published: February 2022

This study offers a unique opportunity to understand audiences’ multiplatform experiences during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The authors conducted surveys in three countries—China, Germany, and the United States—to determine relationships between and among structural and identity factors that predicted viewership in each country. Results indicate that structural factors significantly predicted World Cup viewing on TV across all three countries, although some variation existed related to access. Furthermore, fandom and identity were significant predictors of viewing on digital platforms across all three countries. By better measuring the experiences and relationships within each country, this study offers a unique opportunity to present a true cross-country assessment to help build understanding of how global mega events are viewed across the world.
Probabilistic spatial analysis in quantitative microscopy with uncertainty-aware cell detection using deep Bayesian regression
Authors: Gomariz Alvaro , Portenier Tiziano , Nombela-Arrieta César , Goksel Orcun
Published: February 2022

The investigation of biological systems with three-dimensional microscopy demands automatic cell identification methods that not only are accurate but also can imply the uncertainty in their predictions. The use of deep learning to regress density maps is a popular successful approach for extracting cell coordinates from local peaks in a postprocessing step, which then, however, hinders any meaningful probabilistic output. We propose a framework that can operate on large microscopy images and output probabilistic predictions (i) by integrating deep Bayesian learning for the regression of uncertainty-aware density maps, where peak detection algorithms generate cell proposals, and (ii) by learning a mapping from prediction proposals to a probabilistic space that accurately represents the chances of a successful prediction. Using these calibrated predictions, we propose a probabilistic spatial analysis with Monte Carlo sampling. We demonstrate this in a bone marrow dataset, where our proposed methods reveal spatial patterns that are otherwise undetectable.
Loss of
TSC1/TSC2
sensitizes immune checkpoint blockade in non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Huang Qingyuan , Li Fei , Hu Hai , Fang Zhaoyuan , Gao Zhendong , Xia Guozhan , Ng Wai-Lung , Khodadadi-Jamayran Alireza , Chen Ting , Deng Jiehui , Zhang Hua , Almonte Christina , Labbe Kristen , Han Han , Geng Ke , Tang Sittinon , Freeman Gordon J. , Li Yuan , Chen Haiquan , Wong Kwok-Kin
Published: February 2022

Tuberous sclerosis complex subunit 1 (
TSC1
) and 2 (
TSC2
) are frequently mutated in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), however, their effects on antitumor immunity remained unexplored. A CRISPR screening in murine

Kras
G12D

/

Trp53
−/−

(KP) model identified
Tsc1
and
Tsc2
as potent regulators of programmed cell death ligand 1 (Pd-l1) expression in vitro and sensitivity to anti–programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) treatment in vivo.
TSC1
or
TSC2
knockout (KO) promoted the transcriptional and membrane expression of PD-L1 in cell lines.
TSC2
-deficient tumors manifested an inflamed microenvironment in patient samples and The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. In syngeneic murine models, KP-
Tsc2
-KO tumors showed notable response to anti–PD-1 antibody treatment, but
Tsc2
–wild-type tumors did not. Patients with
TSC1
/
TSC2
-mutant NSCLC receiving immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) had increased durable clinical benefit and survival. Collectively,
TSC1
/
TSC2
loss defines a distinct subtype of NSCLC characterized as inflamed tumor microenvironment and superior sensitivity to ICB.
Switching plasmonic nanogaps between classical and quantum regimes with supramolecular interactions
Authors: Zhang Chi , Li Dongyao , Zhang Guangdi , Wang Xujie , Mao Li , Gan Quan , Ding Tao , Xu Hongxing
Published: February 2022

In the realm of extreme nanophotonics, nanogap plasmons support reliable field enhancements up to 1000, which provide unique opportunities to access a single molecule for strong coupling and a single atom for quantum catalysis. The quantum plasmonics are intriguing but difficult to modulate largely because of the lack of proper spacers that can reversibly actuate the sub–1-nm gaps. Here, we demonstrate that supramolecular systems made of oligoamide sequences can reversibly switch the gap plasmons of Au nanoparticles on mirror between classical and quantum tunneling regimes via supramolecular interactions. The results reveal detailed plasmon shift near the quantum tunneling limit, which fits well with both classical- and quantum-corrected models. In the quantum tunneling regime, we demonstrate that plasmonic hot electron tunneling can further blue shift the quantum plasmons because of the increased conductance in the nanogaps, making it a promising prototype of optical tunable quantum plasmonic devices.
Targeted DamID in
C. elegans
reveals a direct role for LIN-22 and NHR-25 in antagonizing the epidermal stem cell fate
Authors: Katsanos Dimitris , Barkoulas Michalis
Published: February 2022

Transcription factors are key players in gene networks controlling cell fate specification during development. In multicellular organisms, they display complex patterns of expression and binding to their targets, hence, tissue specificity is required in the characterization of transcription factor–target interactions. We introduce here targeted DamID (TaDa) as a method for tissue-specific transcription factor target identification in intact
Caenorhabditis elegans
animals. We use TaDa to recover targets in the epidermis for two factors, the HES1 homolog LIN-22, and the NR5A1/2 nuclear hormone receptor NHR-25. We demonstrate a direct link between LIN-22 and the Wnt signaling pathway through repression of the Frizzled receptor
lin-17
. We report a direct role for NHR-25 in promoting cell differentiation via repressing the expression of stem cell–promoting GATA factors. Our results expand our understanding of the epidermal gene network and highlight the potential of TaDa to dissect the architecture of tissue-specific gene regulatory networks.