bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eye development influences horn size but not patterning in horned beetles
Authors: Sestrick Kat , Moczek Armin P.
Published: May 2024

Understanding the origin of novel morphological traits is a long‐standing objective in evolutionary developmental biology. We explored the developmental genetic mechanisms that underpin the formation of a textbook example of evolutionary novelties, the cephalic horns of beetles. Previous work has implicated the gene regulatory networks associated with compound eye and ocellar development in horn formation and suggested that horns and compound eyes may influence each other's sizes. Therefore, we investigated the functional significance of genes central to visual system formation in the initiation, patterning, and size determination of head horns across three horned beetle species. We find that while the downregulation of canonical eye patterning genes reliably reduces or eliminates compound eye formation, it does not alter the position or shape of head horns yet does result in an increase in relative horn length. We discuss the implications of our results for our understanding of the genesis of cephalic horns in particular and evolutionary novelties in general.
Acceptability of dental students and professionals concerning child behaviour management techniques: Systematic review
Authors: Galdino Fabíola Fontes , Bendo Cristiane Baccin , Fidalgo Tatiana Kelly da Silva
Published: May 2024

Introduction

During child dental treatment, different behavior management techniques (BMTs) are applied and it is important to understand the possible discomfort in the operator.

Objective

The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the acceptability of dental students and professionals concerning BMTs applied with paediatric dentistry patients.

Materials and Methods

A systematic search was conducted, following the PEOS strategy: Population (P) – dental students/professionals (S); Exposure (E) – BMTs preconized by the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, Outcome (O) – proportion of BMT acceptance; and Study design (S) – observational studies based on data from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, BVS (Lilacs/BBO), Cochrane, and Open Grey databases up to September 2021. The eligible studies were submitted to data extraction and to the evaluation of methodological quality, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool. The certainty of evidence was evaluated by GRADE.

Results

The search retrieved 710 articles; a total of 21 fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were used for qualitative analysis. Among the undergraduate students and dentists, the most accepted techniques were tell‐show‐do and positive reinforcement, while paediatric dentists preferred the tell‐show‐do technique and dental professionals with graduate degrees preferred sedation using nitrous oxide and positive reinforcement. The least accepted technique was protective stabilization. Seven students presented a low risk for bias, while 14 presented a high risk. The certainty of evidence was classified as very low.

Conclusion

Although the basis of available certainty of evidence is scarce and with a considerable risk for bias, it is still possible to conclude that the more accepted techniques were based on communication.
Solidarity and Brokenness in the Body of Christ
Authors: Lawson James
Published: May 2024

This article considers what the language of the body of Christ in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians implies about the nature of the church as an exercise in embodied solidarity, suggesting that it might helpfully be used to offer scriptural warrant for the relatively recent practice of receptive ecumenism. It suggests that the ecclesiological assumptions implicit in the practice of receptive ecumenism can be articulated as a recovery of a particular Pauline “ecclesiology as Christology.” However, if this vision is to be of any use, it must address situations in which its basis in embodied solidarity appears to be under threat. Following a recent commentary on the epistle (and drawing in other reflections), it considers whether the language of pathology is a helpful way of articulating such threats and, if not, what alternative language might be preferable for this task.
Altering plant carbon allocation to stems has distinct effects on rhizosphere soil microbiome assembly, interactions, and potential functions in sorghum
Authors: Ji Niuniu , Liang Di , Studer Anthony J. , Moose Stephen P. , Kent Angela D.
Published: May 2024

Altering plant carbon allocation from leaves to stems is key to improve biomass for forage, fuel, and renewable chemicals. The sorghum dry stalk (D) locus controls a quantitative trait for sugar accumulation, with enhanced carbon allocation in the stems of juicy green (dd) sorghum but reduced carbon allocation in that of dry white (DD) sorghum. However, it remains unclear whether altering sorghum sugar accumulation in stem affects below‐ground microbiome. Here we investigated sorghum rhizosphere soil microbiome in near isogenic lines with different magnitude of carbon allocations and accumulation in the stems. Results showed that enhanced carbon accumulation in stems of juicy green sorghum results in stronger selection in rhizosphere microbiome assembly. The rhizosphere soil microbial communities selected in juicy green sorghum tended to be fast‐growing microbial taxa which possessed potential functions that would promote higher potential capacity to use chemically labile carbon sources and potentially result in higher potential decomposition rates. We found the rhizosphere microbes selected by juicy green sorghum form weaker interactions than dry white sorghum. This is the first comprehensive study revealing how the different magnitude of carbon allocations to stems regulates microbial community assembly, microbial interaction, and microbial functions. This study indicates that future plant modification for bioenergy crops should also consider the impacts on belowground microbial community without compromising the sustainability.
An indigenous geographic position on producing data in colonial conditions
Authors: Palmer Meredith Alberta
Published: May 2024

In a historically colonial field, what are the possibilities of a geography informed by Indigenous and Anti‐Colonial ethics and onto‐epistemologies? This article suggests engaging in a critical study of data from an Indigenous geographic standpoint, with a focus on imperialism and colonialism in settler nation‐states. I begin by emphasizing the pervasive and long‐standing imposition of geographical data collection in Indigenous life, naming the binds of engaging with the production of data for and with colonial institutions. I then review prominent spatial analytics within critical Indigenous studies, Indigenous geography, and aligned Anti‐Colonial geography, including Indigenous place‐based knowledge and onto‐epistemologies, (racialized) colonial dispossession, sovereignty and recognition, environmental colonialism, and mapping and cartography. Last, I suggest that studies of colonial data dynamics and Indigenous data production strengthen Indigenous and Anti‐Colonial geographies by emphasizing the co‐constitution of good relations and good data. Future research avenues include the need to push beyond the geo‐historical bounds of the category settler colonial, and to build co‐rejections of racial empire with other fields of study including Black, Queer, and Feminist geographies.
Holding the harasser responsible: Implications of identifying sexual harassment that includes abuse of power and quid pro quo elements as sexual corruption
Authors: Lundgren Silje , Wieslander Malin
Published: May 2024

This article argues that a perpetrator‐based definition of sexual harassment that highlights corrupt aspects of sexual harassment may contribute to a shift in focus from the experience of the harassed, to the actions of the harasser. This argument is based on an analysis of testimonies of sexual harassment from the #metoo call by the Swedish police in 2017, which reference abuse of power and quid pro quo elements. By introducing the recently developed analytical framework of ‘sexual corruption’, we show how a perpetrator‐based definition of sexual harassment may contribute to attributing responsibility to harassers. Identifying sexual harassment that includes the abuse of power and quid pro quo elements as corruption centers on the role of the abuse of power and, thus, the responsibility of the person abusing their position of power. Moreover, this shift bypasses discussions of whether or not the situation was experienced as ‘unwelcome’ by the harassed, the severity of the act, and questions of coercion and consent. Identifying instances of sexual harassment that include the abuse of power and quid pro quo elements as corruption also closes off attempts to portray it in terms of ‘jokes’ or banter, which is common in the police context. The article contributes with analytical tools that enable a shift from tracing the experience of the harassed to centering on the actions and responsibility of the harasser.
THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD: ESCAPING THE CHARGE OF COGNITIVE PENETRATION
Authors: Karimzadeh Omid
Published: May 2024

By religious experiences I mean those human experiences characterised by a kind of intuitional seeming to the effect that a transcendent or all‐encompassing being—God—exists. After explaining two significant similarities between religious and perceptual experiences, I will argue that the doctrine of phenomenal dogmatism about perceptual experiences can be applied to religious experiences as well. In the following two sections, the challenge arising from the objection from cognitive penetration is extended to the case of religious experiences. I show that the importance of this challenge may be dependent on a debate over the proper content of experience—namely the debate over low‐level vs. high‐level content. In the subsequent section, I argue that even if the religious experience is deemed an experience with low‐level content, then the charge of cognitive penetration may not be avoided. Drawing upon the doctrine of divine simplicity, in the penultimate section, I argue that the experience of God has a specific characteristic which, in companion with its thin content, enables it to escape the charge of cognitive penetration. Alternatively put, the experience of God possesses an important epistemological advantage owing to its distinctive object, which makes it significantly reliable. In the final section, three possible objections are briefly addressed.
Effects of starch gelatinisation and water migration on the hardness of parboiled rice
Authors: Xu Minghao , Cheng Danyang , Cui Gengjie , Wen Yangyang , Li Hongyan , Wang Jing , Sun Baoguo
Published: May 2024

Parboiled rice is well known for its high nutritional value, while its firm texture is still challenging to accept by consumers. In this study, the effects of starch gelatinisation and water migration on the increased hardness of parboiled rice were investigated. The hardness of parboiled rice was affected by starch gelatinisation, displaying an increasing trend with an increasing degree of starch gelatinisation (DSG). Examination of the water migration characteristics during soaking showed that the water uptake capacity of parboiled rice was significantly enhanced. Compared to white rice soaked at 90 °C, the water molecules in parboiled rice were restricted to the outer layer of starch. Significant correlations between rice hardness, DSG and moisture absorption‐related parameters were established, indicating that gelatinised starch limits the migration of water to the inside of the rice kernel, resulting in a firm rice grain. These results enhance the understanding of starch gelatinisation by parboiling and water migration properties during the cooking process of parboiled rice. This study provided new insights into the regulation of hardness by parboiled rice processing.
Addressing the opportunities of non‐thermal food processing technologies in the ASEAN region context
Authors: Leong Sze Ying , Duque Sheba Mae M. , Conde Ladie Anne , Khrisanapant Prit , Oey Indrawati
Published: May 2024

This study aims to explore the opportunities offered by non‐thermal food processing technologies, including high‐pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultraviolet light, ultrasound, and microwave that could be viable for the agriculture commodities produced in the ASEAN region. The applications of these technologies across various food product categories (from dairy to fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, beverages, condiments, fermented foods, edible oil, and ready‐to‐eat meals) focusing on microbial inactivation and mass transfer process enhancement, are systematically discussed to highlight their potential to foster the production of safe, nutritious, and fresh‐like quality food products from the region. The adoption of non‐thermal technologies can face several challenges that hinder the integration of these technologies in ASEAN, including high start‐up costs, limited access to stable electricity and clean water, and inconsistencies in food regulations across countries. Information gaps related to the adoption of non‐thermal technologies within the diverse food‐related scenarios in ASEAN were identified and recommendations were given to improve the state of knowledge in the region. Overall, this work offers critical insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to consider inclusion of non‐thermal technologies in food production as strategic approaches and tailored solutions to enhance the competitiveness of regional food products globally.
L’évolution de la pénalité à la maternité et de la prime à la paternité dans l’économie des plateformes en Chine: l'impact de la situation parentale sur le revenu
Authors: ZHENG Qi , QIU Zitong , YANG Weiguo
Published: May 2024

La prime à la paternité et la pénalité à la maternité occupent une place centrale dans l’étude des écarts de revenu entre hommes et femmes. Les auteurs font appel à la méthode des moindres carrés ordinaires, à l'analyse d'un mécanisme de médiation et à une décomposition d'Oaxaca‐Blinder pour étudier l'impact de l'arrivée d'un enfant sur le revenu des travailleurs de plateformes en Chine. Ils constatent que la pénalité liée à la maternité disparaît et que la prime à la paternité se transforme en pénalité, ce qu'ils imputent à l'influence de la pression au travail et de la ségrégation professionnelle entre les genres dans l’économie des plateformes. L'arbitrage que les hommes doivent faire entre le temps et l’énergie investis dans le travail et ceux consacrés à leurs enfants occupe en effet plus de place que dans d'autres secteurs.
Immunity in adipose tissues: Cutting through the fat
Authors: Randall Troy D. , Meza‐Perez Selene
Published: May 2024

Well known functions of adipose tissue include energy storage, regulation of thermogenesis, and glucose homeostasis—each of which are associated with the metabolic functions of fat. However, adipose tissues also have important immune functions. In this issue of Immunological Reviews, we present a series of articles that highlight the immune functions of adipose tissue, including the roles of specialized adipose‐resident immune cells and fat‐associated lymphoid structures. Importantly, immune cell functions in adipose tissues are often linked to the metabolic functions of adipocytes and vice versa. These reciprocal interactions and how they influence both immune and metabolic functions will be discussed in each article. In the first article, Wang et al.,11discuss adipose‐associated macrophages and how obesity and metabolism impact their phenotype and function. Several articles in this issue discuss T cells as either contributors to, or regulators of, inflammatory responses in adipose tissues. Valentine and Nikolajczyk12provide insights into the role of T cells in obesity‐associated inflammation and their contribution to metabolic dysfunction, whereas an article from Kallies and Vasanthakumar13and another from Elkins and Li14describe adipose‐associated Tregs and how they help prevent inflammation and maintain metabolic homeostasis. Articles from Okabe35as well as from Daley and Benezech15discuss the structure and function of fat‐associated lymphoid clusters (FALCs) that are prevalent in some adipose tissues and support local immune responses to pathogens, gut‐derived microbes and fat‐associated antigens. Finally, an article from Meher and McNamara16describes how innate‐like B1 cells in adipose tissues regulate cardiometabolic disease. Importantly, these articles highlight the physical and functional attributes of adipose tissues that are different between mice and humans, the metabolic and immune differences between various adipose depots in the body and the differences in immune cells, adipose tissues and metabolic functions between the sexes. At the end of this preface, we highlight how these differences are critically important for our understanding of anti‐tumor immunity to cancers that metastasize to a specific example of visceral adipose tissue, the omentum. Together, these articles identify some unanswered mechanistic questions that will be important to address for a better understanding of immunity in adipose tissues.
Cradling disparities: A descriptive qualitative study of maternal experiences of mothers from low‐socioeconomic status in the first month postpartum
Authors: Shorey Shefaly , Ng Jamie Qiao Xin , Liu Verity Chandelle , Chee Cornelia Yin Ing
Published: May 2024

Aim

To explore the experiences, expectations and needs of mothers from low‐socioeconomic status at 1 month postpartum.

Design

Descriptive qualitative.

Methods

Mothers from low‐socioeconomic status and irrespective of their parity were invited to participate in one‐to‐one interviews at 1 month postpartum. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted until data saturation. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Written informed consent was obtained.

Results

Twenty mothers participated and six themes were identified: (1) No choice but to find meaning; (2) Father as a major pillar of support; (3) ‘Kampung’ Spirit; (4) Trials and Tribulations of Transition to Motherhood; (5) Shame, guilt and internalized stigma and (6) Reclaiming the power.

Conclusion

This study reflected the unique struggles of mothers from low‐socioeconomic status with pregnancy, childbirth and early postpartum and the wider health inequities within Singapore's maternal health system. To provide much‐needed support and improved care, the stakeholders within government, healthcare providers and social organizations should consider the niche needs of this community.

Implications for Patient Care

Nurses need to reflect on their own biases and ensure consistent care delivery regardless of socioeconomic status. When delivering patient education, patient‐centred and sincere advice rooted in personal experience can help to establish rapport.

Impact

This study is the first to explore the experiences of mothers from low‐socioeconomic status in the Singapore context. Low‐socioeconomic status mothers experienced less autonomy over their health, the care they received and their childcare options. As mothers adjusted to their new roles, they struggled to cope. However, as they were wary of the stigma surrounding poverty and their guilt of not being a ‘good mother’, they preferred to seek informal support from their family, friends and self‐help through learning from social media, as compared to formal, external help.

Reporting Method

COREQ checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Using middle‐range theorizing to advance supply chain management research: A how‐to primer and demonstration
Authors: Craighead Christopher W. , Cheng Li , Ketchen David J.
Published: May 2024

Middle‐range theory (MRT) refers to conceptualizations that apply to some, but not all, contexts. While MRT sacrifices generalizability, it yields rich, actionable insights in the contexts where it applies. With MRT's history of industry grounding, the supply chain field offers a strong fit for the development of MRT, but arguably this potential has been underexploited by supply chain management (SCM) researchers. Several conceptual articles have encouraged greater use of MRT and offered important tips, but no step‐by‐step demonstrations appear in the literature. Such a demonstration could guide supply chain scholars seeking to better implement MRT as well as lead other scholars to start pursuing MRT. In this article, we develop a five‐step process and apply it using an MRT (i.e., warm glow theory) and a series of experiments. The experiments focus on how local businesses might shape demand in their favor during societal crises. We discuss how the results inform local businesses and the crisis context but may have limited generalizability to other organizations and normal conditions. Overall, we describe and explain a systematic and viable approach, albeit not the only viable approach, for using MRT to advance SCM research.
‘Land for my children’: Gendered moral economies, social reproduction and resistance against land grabs in rural Cambodia
Authors: Joshi Saba
Published: May 2024

This article elaborates the connections between women's roles in household and community social reproduction and their leadership in resistance against land dispossession. Drawing on interviews with women land activists in two rural provinces, situated in south and central Cambodia, it examines the beliefs and processes of meaning‐making underpinning women's activism against state‐sanctioned land acquisitions through an examination of the symbols, discourses and imaginaries of land, home and social reproductive labour that embed their struggles. It argues that rural women's resistance makes visible gendered moral economies—moored to agrarian social relations and shaped by the modalities of social reproduction—that legitimate contestation against state‐sanctioned land dispossession.
“Are you supposed to be here?”: Formerly incarcerated men of color navigating positions of authority
Authors: Crain Emily E. , Davis Lindsey Sank , St. Louis Gemima , Jensen Hailey , Robertson Isabel , Meade Gavin , Carrasco Shantel , Overbey Dagney , Alves Lenox
Published: May 2024

The current study sought to understand the lived experiences of 10 formerly incarcerated Black and Latino men in an apprentice program for physical trainers using directed content analysis. Participants described a variety of microaggressions, including those representing known themes (e.g., assumption of criminality) and new (sub)themes (e.g., borrowed legitimacy). They also described new opportunities afforded to them by virtue of their involvement in the apprentice program and their newly found authority. Results indicate that formerly incarcerated men of color experience daily discrimination and re‐entry challenges that may be destabilizing and contribute to recidivism, thus reinforcing the cycle of mass incarceration. The authors suggest further investment in tertiary interventions to buffer against the harmful effects of microaggressions, as well as further research with a critical race lens and primary interventions aimed at ameliorating the societal conditions that lead men of color to come into contact with the criminal legal system.
Association between more complex special care needs and overweight status and adolescents' difficulty with dental caries
Authors: Bhoopathi Vinodh , Wells Christine , Tripicchio Gina , Tran Nini Chaichanasakul
Published: May 2024

Objective

Little is known about dental caries experience in adolescents with overweight and complex special health care needs (SHCNs).

Methods

Adolescent data (10–17 years) from the 2016–2020 National Survey of Children's Health (n = 91,196) was analyzed. The sample was grouped into the following: more complex SHCN and overweight, more complex SHCN without overweight, less complex SHCN and overweight, less complex SHCN without overweight, no SHCN but with overweight, and neither SHCN nor overweight. A multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression model was conducted.

Results

Adolescents with more complex SHCNs with (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.44–2.30, p < 0.001) or without overweight (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.30–1.76, p < 0.001) were at higher odds of experiencing dental caries compared to healthy adolescents. No significant associations were observed between adolescents with less complex or no SHCN regardless of the overweight status with healthy adolescents.

Conclusions

Adolescents with more complex SHCNs, irrespective of overweight status, experienced a higher caries severity than adolescents with no SHCNs or overweight.
Health insurance coverage and experiences of intimate partner violence and postpartum abuse screening among rural US residents who gave birth 2016‐2020
Authors: Kozhimannil Katy Backes , Sheffield Emily C. , Fritz Alyssa H. , Interrante Julia D. , Henning‐Smith Carrie , Lewis Valerie A.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is elevated among rural residents and contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality. Postpartum health insurance expansion efforts could address multiple causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, including IPV. The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between perinatal health insurance, IPV, and postpartum abuse screening among rural US residents.

Methods

Using 2016‐2020 data on rural residents from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, we assessed self‐report of experiencing physical violence by an intimate partner and rates of abuse screening at postpartum visits. Health insurance at childbirth and postpartum was categorized as private, Medicaid, or uninsured. We also measured insurance transitions from childbirth to postpartum (continuous private, continuous Medicaid, Medicaid to private, and Medicaid to uninsured).

Findings

IPV rates varied by health insurance status at childbirth, with the highest rates among Medicaid beneficiaries (7.7%), compared to those who were uninsured (1.6%) or privately insured (1.6%). When measured by insurance transitions, the highest IPV rates were reported by those with continuous Medicaid coverage (8.6%), followed by those who transitioned from Medicaid at childbirth to private insurance (5.3%) or no insurance (5.9%) postpartum.

Nearly half (48.1%) of rural residents lacked postpartum abuse screening, with the highest proportion among rural residents who were uninsured at childbirth (66.1%) or postpartum (52.1%).

Conclusion

Rural residents who are insured by Medicaid before or after childbirth are at elevated risk for IPV. Medicaid policy efforts to improve maternal health should focus on improving detection and screening for IPV among rural residents.
A comprehensive study of apatite grains in Ryugu rock fragments
Authors: Tkalcec B. J. , Tack P. , De Pauw E. , Bazi B. , Vekemans B. , Lindner M. , Vincze L. , Di Michiel M. , Garrevoet J. , Falkenberg G. , Nakamura T. , Morita T. , Amano K. , Nakashima D. , Langenhorst F. , Pollok K. , Yurimoto H. , Noguchi T. , Okazaki R. , Yabuta H. , Naraoka H. , Sakamoto K. , Tachibana S. , Yada T. , Nishimura M. , Nakato A. , Miyazaki A. , Yogata K. , Abe M. , Okada T. , Usui T. , Yoshikawa M. , Saiki T. , Tanaka S. , Terui F. , Nakazawa S. , Watanabe S. , Tsuda Y. , Brenker F. E.
Published: May 2024

Apatite is present as an accessory phase in many meteorites and is often formed as a secondary product of aqueous alteration. Its propensity to incorporate rare earth elements (REE) results in apatite usually being the main REE‐bearing phase in hydrously altered meteorites. Asteroid Ryugu is thought to have experienced pervasive aqueous alteration and material collected from the surface of Ryugu is expected to provide insight into asteroidal aqueous alteration processes without influence by terrestrial weathering. Morphologies and mineral associations of apatite grains from five rock fragments collected from the asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft were examined and their REE concentrations were measured by synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence (SXRF) spectroscopy. The main minerals associated with apatite are dolomite, magnetite, and pyrrhotite. Grain boundary corrosion of the interfaces between apatite assemblages and the surrounding matrix suggest that paragenetic formation on the asteroid was followed by a later episode of hydrous alteration. Light REE (LREE) concentration levels recorded at 20–150 times those of bulk CI levels together with a steady increase from LREE toward enrichment of medium REE (MREE, up to Er) at 50–400 times bulk CI levels may suggest postgenetic removal of LREE from Ryugu apatite grains by late‐stage circulation of a hydrothermal fluid.
The Meteoritical Bulletin, no. 112
Authors: Gattacceca Jérôme , McCubbin Francis M. , Grossman Jeffrey N. , Schrader Devin L. , Cartier Camille , Consolmagno Guy , Goodrich Cyrena , Greshake Ansgar , Gross Juliane , Joy Katherine Helen , Miao Bingkui , Zhang Bidong
Published: May 2024

Meteoritical Bulletin 112 contains the 2487 meteorites approved by the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society in 2023. It includes 14 falls, 1926 ordinary chondrites, 141 HED, 127 carbonaceous chondrites (including 6 ungrouped), 71 lunar meteorites, 37 ureilites, 36 mesosiderites, 27 Martian meteorites, 23 iron meteorites (6 ungrouped), 20 Rumuruti chondrites, 19 ungrouped achondrites, 19 enstatite chondrites, 18 primitive achondrites (2 ungrouped), 12 pallasites, 6 angrites, 4 enstatite achondrites, and 1 ungrouped chondrite. Of the meteorites approved in 2023, 968 were from Africa, 836 from South America, 572 from Antarctica, 66 from Asia, 35 from North America, 9 from Europe, and 1 from Oceania.
OsEIL2 balances rice immune responses against (hemi)biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens via the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid synergism
Authors: Zhao Yudan , Zhu Xiaoying , Shi Cheng‐Min , Xu Guojuan , Zuo Shimin , Shi Yanlong , Cao Wenlei , Kang Houxiang , Liu Wende , Wang Ruyi , Ning Yuese , Wang Guo‐Liang , Wang Xuli
Published: May 2024

Plants typically activate distinct defense pathways against various pathogens. Heightened resistance to one pathogen often coincides with increased susceptibility to another pathogen. However, the underlying molecular basis of this antagonistic response remains unclear.

Here, we demonstrate that mutants defective in the transcription factor ETHYLENE‐INSENSITIVE 3‐LIKE 2 (OsEIL2) exhibited enhanced resistance to the biotrophic bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv oryzae and to the hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, but enhanced susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani.

Furthermore, necrotroph‐induced OsEIL2 binds to the promoter of OsWRKY67 with high affinity, leading to the upregulation of salicylic acid (SA)/jasmonic acid (JA) pathway genes and increased SA/JA levels, ultimately resulting in enhanced resistance.

However, biotroph‐ and hemibiotroph‐induced OsEIL2 targets OsERF083, resulting in the inhibition of SA/JA pathway genes and decreased SA/JA levels, ultimately leading to reduced resistance. Our findings unveil a previously uncharacterized defense mechanism wherein two distinct transcriptional regulatory modules differentially mediate immunity against pathogens with different lifestyles through the transcriptional reprogramming of phytohormone pathway genes.
Protein complexes from edible mushrooms as a sustainable potato protection against coleopteran pests
Authors: Pogačar Karmen , Grundner Maja , Žigon Primož , Coll Anna , Panevska Anastasija , Lukan Tjaša , Petek Marko , Razinger Jaka , Gruden Kristina , Sepčić Kristina
Published: May 2024

Protein complexes from edible oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) composed of pleurotolysin A2 (PlyA2) and pleurotolysin B (PlyB) exert toxicity in feeding tests against Colorado potato beetle (CPB) larvae, acting through the interaction with insect‐specific membrane sphingolipid. Here we present a new strategy for crop protection, based on in planta production of PlyA2/PlyB protein complexes, and we exemplify this strategy in construction of transgenic potato plants of cv Désirée. The transgenics in which PlyA2 was directed to the vacuole and PlyB to the endoplasmic reticulum are effectively protected from infestation by CPB larvae without impacting plant performance. These transgenic plants showed a pronounced effect on larval feeding rate, the larvae feeding on transgenic plants being on average five to six folds lighter than larvae feeding on controls. Further, only a fraction (11%–37%) of the larvae that fed on transgenic potato plants completed their life cycle and developed into adult beetles. Moreover, gene expression analysis of CPB larvae exposed to PlyA2/PlyB complexes revealed the response indicative of a general stress status of larvae and no evidence of possibility of developing resistance due to the functional inactivation of PlyA2/PlyB sphingolipid receptors.
Multi‐centre analytical performance verification of an IVD assay to quantify donor‐derived cell‐free DNA in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Casas Sílvia , Tangprasertchai Narin S. , Oikonomaki Katerina , Mathers Simon , Sollet Zuleika Calderin , Samara Stavroula , Liu June , Burlinson Natalia Diaz , Constantoulakis Pantelis , Villard Jean , Viard Thierry
Published: May 2024

Donor‐derived cell‐free DNA (dd‐cfDNA) has been widely studied as biomarker for non‐invasive allograft rejection monitoring. Earlier rejection detection enables more prompt diagnosis and intervention, ultimately improving patient treatment and outcomes. This multi‐centre study aims to verify analytical performance of a next‐generation sequencing‐based dd‐cfDNA assay at end‐user environments. Three independent laboratories received the same experimental design and 16 blinded samples to perform cfDNA extraction and the dd‐cfDNA assay workflow. dd‐cfDNA results were compared between sites and against manufacturer validation to evaluate concordance, reproducibility, repeatability and verify analytical performance. A total of 247 sample libraries were generated across 18 runs, with completion time of <24 h. A 96.0% first pass rate highlighted minimal failures. Overall observed versus expected dd‐cfDNA results demonstrated good concordance and a strong positive correlation with linear least squares regression r2 = 0.9989, and high repeatability and reproducibility within and between sites, respectively (p > 0.05). Manufacturer validation established limit of blank 0.18%, limit of detection 0.23% and limit of quantification 0.23%, and results from independent sites verified those limits. Parallel analyses illustrated no significant difference (p = 0.951) between dd‐cfDNA results with or without recipient genotype. The dd‐cfDNA assay evaluated here has been verified as a reliable method for efficient, reproducible dd‐cfDNA quantification in plasma from solid organ transplant recipients without requiring genotyping. Implementation of onsite dd‐cfDNA testing at clinical laboratories could facilitate earlier detection of allograft injury, bearing great potential for patient care.
Free curves, eigenschemes, and pencils of curves
Authors: Di Gennaro Roberta , Ilardi Giovanna , Miró‐Roig Rosa Maria , Schenck Henry , Vallès Jean
Published: May 2024

Let . A reduced plane curve is free if its associated module of tangent derivations is a free ‐module, or equivalently if the corresponding sheaf of vector fields tangent to splits as a direct sum of line bundles on . In general, free curves are difficult to find, and in this paper, we describe a new method for constructing free curves in . The key tools in our approach are eigenschemes and pencils of curves, combined with an interpretation of Saito's criterion in this context. Previous constructions typically applied only to curves with quasihomogeneous singularities, which is not necessary in our approach. We illustrate our method by constructing large families of free curves.
“Now We Can Speak”: Wheelchair Sport Participation in Areas of Armed Conflict
Authors: Kirk T.N. , McKay Cathy , Holland Katherine
Published: May 2024

This study sought to understand the lived experiences of wheelchair basketball athletes from low- and middle-income countries of recent or current armed conflict and the meaning that they ascribed to their participation. Wheelchair basketball athletes (N = 108) from eight national teams participated in semistructured focus-group interviews. Study data were analyzed thematically using an interpretive descriptive approach. Three themes were developed: “I can do anything I want; not only basketball,” self-concept changes through sport participation; “Now they see me as a respectable person,” societal belonging through sport; and “I have motivated other disabled people,” influence on nonparticipating disabled persons. The findings indicated that participation in wheelchair sports may help disabled persons see themselves as capable individuals on the court and in aspects of daily living, perhaps even peer role models for other disabled persons in their communities and countries.
Blood Flow Restriction Training Improves Muscular Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Spencer Jared , Sales Cheyann , Warren Aric J.
Published: May 2024

Clinical Scenario: The high recurrence of lateral ankle sprains progresses to chronic ankle instability (CAI) and can affect many athletes in all sports. CAI is often associated with a decrease in muscle strength, an increase in pain, a decrease in the range of motion, and a decrease in balance or neuromuscular control. The use of blood flow restriction (BFR) with CAI can increase muscular outcomes and be used as a rehabilitation tool. Clinical Question: Is there evidence to suggest that BFR improves strength, muscle activation, and/or cross-sectional area of the lower leg musculature in those with CAI? Clinical Bottom Line: There is moderate evidence to support therapeutic exercise with low-intensity BFR in patients with CAI. The evidence concluded a significant improvement in BFR to increase muscle activation of the fibularis longus, anterior tibialis, vastus lateralis, and soleus. There is moderate evidence suggesting BFR can induce strength gains in the muscles of the lower extremity in patients with CAI. Strength of Recommendation: The comprehensive evidence is a Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) Grade B, with a level of evidence of 2, according to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) for the studies included.
Exploring the Influence of Match Fixing on Consumer Motivations to Watch Esports: Perspectives From Brand Producers
Authors: Williamson Michael L. , Filo Kevin , Doyle Jason , Harris-Reeves Brooke
Published: May 2024

Existing challenges to the esports industry, such as match fixing, potentially affect consumer motivations to watch esports. Additionally, the esports literature examining consumer motivations to watch competitions relies on data gathered from consumers. An opportunity is presented to understand industry challenges alongside additional stakeholder perspectives on consumer motivations. The purpose is to explore the perceived influence of match fixing on consumer motivations to watch esports broadcasts, from the perspective of esports brand producers. Informed by uses and gratification theory, 30 semistructured interviews were conducted with brand producers in the Australian esports industry. Four themes were generated from thematic analysis: diminished integrity, decreased engagement, limited individual impact, and reduced drama. The findings provide insight for brand producers to craft strategic communications, which mitigate negative motivational influences and encourage consumers to watch esports. The current research extends the understanding of consumer motivations to watch esports by considering the perspective of brand producers.
Measurement of true tensile strength from Brazilian tensile strength laboratory tests
Authors: Packulak Timothy R.M. , Day Jennifer J. , McDonald Mark R. , Jacksteit Anya C. , Diederichs Mark S.
Published: May 2024

Brazilian tensile strength (BTS) testing in standard practice is a practical method to approximate tensile strength for rock core using the conversion of axial compressive vertical and diametral loading to horizontal tensile stress in the centre of the core disk. The method, however, routinely inflates tensile strength, using peak tensile stress calculated from the BTS, versus true tensile stress (TTS) from direct tensile strength (DTS) tests. This study presents a novel technique to measure TTS directly from the BTS test via the onset of nonlinearity in horizontal strain response. TTS is equivalent to the peak strength of a DTS test. While not yet standardized, the modification to achieve TTS measurements is to instrument the BTS specimen with a horizontal strain gauge on each flat side. Over 100 BTS specimens of varying lithologies were instrumented, tested, and analyzed to measure their TTS and compare to peak BTS. Results demonstrate the average measured TTS is 0.81BTS, 0.75BTS, 0.85BTS for granitoid, carbonate, and metamorphic rocks, respectively. This concurs with previous studies, validating the proposed novel TTS measurement method. We recommend measurement of TTS be adopted into standard practice for BTS laboratory testing to improve accuracy of tensile strength data in rock engineering design.
Coronary microvascular disease in women: epidemiology, mechanisms, evaluation, and treatment
Authors: Steinberg Rebecca S. , Dragan Anamaria , Mehta Puja K. , Toleva Olga
Published: May 2024

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) involves functional or structural abnormalities of the coronary microvasculature resulting in dysregulation of coronary blood flow (CBF) in response to myocardial oxygen demand. This perfusion mismatch causes myocardial ischemia, which manifests in patients as microvascular angina (MVA). CMD can be diagnosed non-invasively via multiple imaging techniques or invasively using coronary function testing (CFT), which assists in determining the specific mechanisms involving endothelium-independent and dependent epicardial and microcirculation domains. Unlike traditional coronary artery disease (CAD), CMD can often occur in patients without obstructive atherosclerotic epicardial disease, which can make the diagnosis of CMD difficult. Moreover, MVA due to CMD is more prevalent in women and carries increased risk of future cardiovascular events. Successful treatment of symptomatic CMD is often patient-specific risk factor and endotype targeted. This article aims to review newly identified mechanisms and novel treatment strategies for managing CMD, and outline sex-specific differences in the presentation and pathophysiology of the disease.
Active Learning for Data Quality Control: A Survey
Authors: Li Na , Qi Yiyang , Li Chaoran , Zhao Zhiming
Published: May 2024

Data quality plays a vital role in scientific research and decision-making across industries. Thus, it is crucial to incorporate the data quality control (DQC) process, which comprises various actions and operations to detect and correct data errors. The increasing adoption of machine learning (ML) techniques in different domains has raised concerns about data quality in the ML field. Conversely, ML’s capability to uncover complex patterns makes it suitable for addressing challenges involved in the DQC process. However, supervised learning methods demand abundant labeled data, while unsupervised learning methods heavily rely on the underlying distribution of the data. Active learning (AL) provides a promising solution by proactively selecting data points for inspection, thus reducing the burden of data labeling for domain experts. Therefore, this survey focuses on applying AL to DQC. Starting with a review of common data quality issues and solutions in the ML field, we aim to enhance the understanding of current quality assessment methods. We then present two scenarios to illustrate the adoption of AL into the DQC systems on the anomaly detection task, including pool-based and stream-based approaches. Finally, we provide the remaining challenges and research opportunities in this field.
Imbalance-Robust Multi-Label Self-Adjusting kNN
Authors: Nicola Victor Gomes De Oliveira Martins , Delgado Karina Valdivia , Lauretto Marcelo de Souza
Published: May 2024

In the task of multi-label classification in data streams, instances arriving in real-time need to be associated with multiple labels simultaneously. Various methods based on the k Nearest Neighbors algorithm have been proposed to address this task. However, these methods face limitations when dealing with imbalanced data streams, a problem that has received limited attention in existing works. To approach this gap, this article introduces the Imbalance-Robust Multi-Label Self-Adjusting kNN (IRMLSAkNN), designed to tackle multi-label imbalanced data streams. IRMLSAkNN’s strength relies on maintaining relevant instances with imbalance labels by using a discarding mechanism that considers the imbalance ratio per label. On the other hand, it evaluates subwindows with an imbalance-aware measure to discard older instances that are lacking performance. We conducted statistical experiments on 32 benchmark data streams, evaluating IRMLSAkNN against eight multi-label classification algorithms using common accuracy-aware and imbalance-aware measures. The obtained results demonstrate that IRMLSAkNN consistently outperforms these algorithms in terms of predictive capacity and time cost across various levels of imbalance.
Automatic Repair of Quantum Programs via Unitary Operation
Authors: Li Yuechen , Pei Hanyu , Huang Linzhi , Yin Beibei , Cai Kai-Yuan
Published: May 2024

With the continuous advancement of quantum computing (QC), the demand for high-quality quantum programs (QPs) is growing. To avoid program failure, in software engineering, the technology of automatic program repair (APR) employs appropriate patches to remove potential bugs without the intervention of a human. However, the method tailored for repairing defective QPs is still absent. This article proposes, to the best of our knowledge, a new APR method named
UnitAR
that can repair QPs via unitary operation automatically. Based on the characteristics of superposition and entanglement in QC, the article constructs an algebraic model and adopts a generate-and-validate approach for the repair procedure. Furthermore, the article presents two schemes that can respectively promote the efficiency of generating patches and guarantee the effectiveness of applying patches. For the purpose of evaluating the proposed method, the article selects 29 mutated versions as well as five real-world buggy programs as the objects and introduces two traditional APR approaches
GenProg
and
TBar
as baselines. According to the experiments,
UnitAR
can fix 23 buggy programs, and this method demonstrates the highest efficiency and effectiveness among three APR approaches. Besides, the experimental results further manifest the crucial roles of two constituents involved in the framework of
UnitAR
.