bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-stage reflective self-seeding scheme for high-repetition-rate X-ray free-electron lasers
Authors: Zhou Guanqun , Qu Zhengxian , Ma Yanbao , Corbett William J. , Jiao Yi , Li Haoyuan , Qin Weilun , Raubenheimer Tor O. , Tsai Cheng-Ying , Wang Jiuqing , Yang Chuan , Wu Juhao
Published: December 2020

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) open a new era of X-ray based research by generating extremely intense X-ray flashes. To further improve the spectrum brightness, a self-seeding FEL scheme has been developed and demonstrated experimentally. As the next step, new-generation FELs with high repetition rates are being designed, built and commissioned around the world. A high repetition rate would significantly speed up the scientific research; however, alongside this improvement comes new challenges surrounding thermal management of the self-seeding monochromator. In this paper, a new configuration for self-seeding FELs is proposed, operated under a high repetition rate which can strongly suppress the thermal effects on the monochromator and provides a narrow-bandwidth FEL pulse. Three-dimension time-dependent simulations have been performed to demonstrate this idea. With this proposed configuration, high-repetition-rate XFEL facilities are able to generate narrow-bandwidth X-ray pulses without obvious thermal concern on the monochromators.
The five-analyzer point-to-point scanning crystal spectrometer at ESRF ID26
Authors: Glatzel Pieter , Harris Alistair , Marion Philippe , Sikora Marcin , Weng Tsu-Chien , Guilloud Cyril , Lafuerza Sara , Rovezzi Mauro , Detlefs Blanka , Ducotté Ludovic
Published: December 2020

X-ray emission spectroscopy in a point-to-point focusing geometry using instruments that employ more than one analyzer crystal poses challenges with respect to mechanical design and performance. This work discusses various options for positioning the components and provides the formulas for calculating their relative placement. Ray-tracing calculations were used to determine the geometrical contributions to the energy broadening including the source volume as given by the beam footprint on the sample. The alignment of the instrument is described and examples are given for the performance.
Workplace bullying, human resource management practices, and turnover intention: the mediating effect of work engagement: evidence of Nigeria
Authors: Gadi Paul Dung , Kee Daisy Mui Hung
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Despite the concentrated study on turnover intention (TI), slightly is known on the subject in what manner work engagement intervenes the link connecting workplace bullying (WPB) and TI is varied across sectors, and how WPB and TI implications are viewed among academicians of public universities in Nigeria. The aim of this article is to explore in what way the association between WPB and TI is mediated by work engagement (WE) in public universities in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applied judgmental sampling to gather 400 data from academic staff that must have worked for a minimum of six months in the current university. The present study used SmartPLS software 3.2.9 for the estimation of the hypothesis.

Findings

The result confirmed that work engagement intervenes the outcome of WPB and HRM on TI.

Research limitations/implications

The current study presents validation for the mediating impact of work engagement on the relationships connecting WPB and HRM on TI in Nigeria universities. Outcomes from findings encompassing all employees in the universities and other service sectors would offer further significant and practical implications for administrators.

Originality/value

The research furthers our knowledge of the intervening effect of work engagement in the link among WPB and TI across academicians in public universities in Nigeria. To reduce turnover intention among academic staff, administrators must have a good insight into how WE mediates the correlation linking WPB and TI.
A high-order absorbing boundary condition for scalar wave propagation simulation in viscoelastic multilayered medium
Authors: Wu Lihua , Zhao Mi , Du Xiuli
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The finite element method (FEM) is used to calculate the two-dimensional anti-plane dynamic response of structure embedded in D’Alembert viscoelastic multilayered soil on the rigid bedrock. This paper aims to research a time-domain absorbing boundary condition (ABC), which should be imposed on the truncation boundary of the finite domain to represent the dynamic interaction between the truncated infinite domain and the finite domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A high-order ABC for scalar wave propagation in the D’Alembert viscoelastic multilayered media is proposed. A new operator separation method and the mode reduction are adopted to construct the time-domain ABC.

Findings

The derivation of the ABC is accurate for the single layer but less accurate for the multilayer. To achieve high accuracy, therefore, the distance from the truncation boundary to the region of interest can be zero for the single layer but need to be about 0.5 times of the total layer height of the infinite domain for the multilayer. Both single-layered and multilayered numerical examples verify that the accuracy of the ABC is almost the same for both cases of only using the modal number excited by dynamic load and using the full modal number of infinite domain. Using the ABC with reduced modes can not only reduce the computation cost but also be more friendly to the stability. Numerical examples demonstrate the superior properties of the proposed ABC with stability, high accuracy and remarkable coupling with the FEM.

Originality/value

A high-order time-domain ABC for scalar wave propagation in the D’Alembert viscoelastic multilayered media is proposed. The proposed ABC is suitable for both linear elastic and D’Alembert viscoelastic media, and it can be coupled seamlessly with the FEM. A new operator separation method combining mode reduction is presented with better stability than the existing methods.
Gender discrimination and perceived fairness in the promotion process of hotel employees
Authors: Russen Michelle , Dawson Mary , Madera Juan M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine hotel managers’ perspectives on the promotion process of hotel employees based on the promoted employee’s gender, their perceived organizational justice and perceived gender discrimination against women. The moderating role of anti-male bias beliefs in the promotion process was examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an experimental design (female vs male promoted) with a sample of 87 hotel managers. Data were analyzed using mediation and moderated mediation analyses.

Findings

The results indicated procedural and distributed justice mediates the effect of gender of the promoted employee on perceived gender discrimination against women. It was found that perceptions of anti-male bias moderate the relationship between gender of the promoted employee and distributed justice, demonstrating higher levels of perceived fairness within the organization when a female is promoted, especially when low levels of anti-male bias exist.

Practical implications

Many organizations may refrain from offering more promotional opportunities to women for fear of reverse discrimination. This research demonstrates that the organization will be perceived as fairer if it offers more opportunities to women, should create a stronger organizational culture and higher financial performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to address the gender inequity in promotional opportunities of hotel employees and demonstrate the overall benefit of combating such inequality. This is the first time that anti-male bias has been addressed in the hospitality context, suggesting the need for more research on reverse discrimination, especially in promotional situations.
Can leader-member exchange social comparison elicit uncivil employee behavior? The buffering role of aggression-preventive supervisor behavior
Authors: Sharma Dheeraj , Mishra Madhurima , Pandey Shivendra Kumar , Ghosh Koustab
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of leader-member exchange social comparison (LMXSC) perceptions in triggering the instigation of uncivil behavior in the workplace. This study also explores the intervening role of envy and the buffering role of aggression-preventive supervisor behavior within the proposed relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in two phases separated by an interval of four weeks. The final sample consisted of 224 full-time white-collar employees working in five large pharmaceutical manufacturing organizations in India.

Findings

The findings indicate that employees’ subjective perceptions of being involved in poorer-quality LMX relationships than their workgroup members generate envy, which, in turn, evokes them to instigate uncivil behaviors onto those higher-LMX counterparts. The indirect effect of LMX social comparison on instigated workplace incivility through envy gets attenuated when supervisors engage in aggression-preventive behavior.

Practical implications

To protect organizations from the financial and productivity losses associated with incivility, supervisors are encouraged to exhibit aggression-preventive behavior if they form differentiated exchange relationships with the subordinates in their teams. Supervisors are further advised to avoid the altogether neglect of lower-LMX subordinates as doing so may give rise to negative emotions (envy) and behavior (incivility) among them.

Originality/value

This study expands the limited body of knowledge on the antecedents of uncivil employee behavior in the workplace. Specifically, it unveils that incivility toward coworkers may be stemming from unfavorable LMX social comparisons and ensuing negative emotions such as envy. It also offers insights on reducing uncivil behavior by highlighting that the impact of LMXSC and envy on incivility instigation gets buffered in the presence of aggression-preventive supervisor behavior.
High gain switched beam Yagi-Uda antenna for millimeter wave communications
Authors: Aylapogu Pramod Kumar , Donga Madhu Sudan , D. Venkatachari , B. RamaDevi
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The suggested antenna has a switched mechanism among the successive elements of the radiating patch. The purpose of this paper is to develop high gain and less interference at higher frequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The design geometry of the suggested high gain switched beam Yagi-Uda antennas. The constructed antenna has been developed with Rogers Substrate, relative permittivity (εr) of 4.4, tangent of loss 0.0009 and with height of 1.6 mm. The proposed antenna has an input impedance of 50, and it is connected to input feed line with 2 mm.

Findings

In forthcoming life, the antennas play key role in all the wireless devices, because these devices perform with high gain and high efficacy.

Originality/value

The pivotal principle of this paper is to accomplish the gain as high, high directivity and interference is low at higher frequencies. Therefore, it is more applicable to 5G mobile communications and millimeter wave communications.
Current teaching methods in STEM departments – A road map for fundamental university educational reform: evidence from Lebanon
Authors: Sabat Mira , Abdel-Massih Roula M. , Kanaan Amjad , Salloum Sara , Serhan Mireille , Fares Roula , Haddad Nicolas , Melki Antoine
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to: (1) explore existing practices of STEM faculty at a private Lebanese university and (2) assess the extent of implementation of active learning among faculty members of selected STEM departments.

Design/methodology/approach

The Working Group on “Integrating Modern Scientific teaching methodologies in STEM” (IM-STEM) at a tertiary university in Lebanon advocates for novel research-based methods to enhance STEM education. This pilot study investigated, using a modified version of the Wieman and Gilbert “Teaching Practices Inventory”, the current teaching methods used by faculty members in selected STEM departments.

Findings

Remarkably, most respondents admit a willingness to incorporate new teaching methods. Main findings indicate that traditional teaching via didactic lecturing remains prevalent in the STEM classrooms at the tertiary academic institution in Lebanon despite sporadic individual efforts by faculty members to utilize unconventional methods and active learning.

Research limitations/implications

One major limitation that influenced the efficiency of this study is the small number of respondents (71 faculty members). More in-depth data collection combining quantitative and qualitative data should be done in future studies.

Practical implications

Gaining insight into the actual methods used in STEM fields in various departments can help the university management to better understand the key importance of educational reform.

Originality/value

The main value of this paper is to serve as a prelude for educational reform at a tertiary academic institution.
From cooperation to competition: an interaction-based contingency theory of communities of practice
Authors: Britt Brian C.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework that explains the roles and viability of both cooperation and competition as they emerge in communities of practice. Although the usefulness of cooperation in communities of practice is well-understood, few studies have considered the role of internal competition, and those that have generally only explored cases in which antagonistic behavior led to the community’s collapse.

Design/methodology/approach

A contingency theory of communities of practice is developed based on the manifestations of members’ participation.

Findings

This theory demonstrates the root causes of fracturing and also provides a foundation for studying communities of practice that have previously defied explanation.

Research limitations/implications

This manuscript explains the potential role and limitations of internal competition in communities of practice, as well as the emergence of subgroups based on differing preferences for cooperation and/or competition. Future research should examine the manifestation and ramifications of such individual differences between community members.

Practical implications

Practitioners can use this theoretical framework to assess communities of practice that they oversee, diagnose potential pitfalls and take corrective action to mitigate potentially toxic influences or inject additional motivating forces that would sustain the community.

Originality/value

This theoretical framework diverges from previous assumptions that internal competition is necessarily toxic for communities of practice, showing the value that it may offer in some contexts.
Users’ satisfaction and attachment to beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Dada Olanrewaju Timothy , Ojo Deborah Bunmi , Popoola Adewale Sheyi , Agboba Opeyemi Ayobami , Adebara Temitope Muyiwa
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine users’ satisfaction and attachment to beaches along the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows a quantitative research approach. For convenience, data were collected through a systematic random sampling technique, from 682 users in 10 of the 27 beaches in the study area.

Findings

The study revealed that users were overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the beach, the sand that makes sauntering and opportunities to network with other users. The overall results reveal a strong association of users’ reliance (place dependence) and identification with the beaches (place identity). As such, users’ satisfaction, identity with and dependence on the beach environmental attributes were influenced by factors such as uses and activities, comfort and image, sociability and access and linkages.

Research limitations/implications

The study can strengthen the development of design guidelines and social policy for beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, Nigeria. Hence, the view may not be generalizable to other beaches along the Atlantic Ocean with different social, economic, cultural and political settings.

Originality/value

To build meaningful and emotional connections in beaches of developing countries, the paper of this nature is vital as it will aid the development of design guidelines and social policy for beaches through the provision of physical and social features that enhance people-place relationships.
Oppan Gangnam style! A series of accidents – place branding, entrepreneurship and pop culture
Authors: Madichie Nnamdi O.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to highlight a series of accidents epitomized by the success of a music artist, bringing three streams of literature together – pop culture, entrepreneurship and place branding.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an illustrative case of a 2012 YouTube hit song, Oppan Gangnam Style, by Korean artist Park Jae-Sang, the artist’s attempt to lampoon the extravagant lifestyle of Gangnam District’s residents accidentally puts them on the global map. The narrative is built around the storytelling approach.

Findings

The study highlights the intersections of pop culture creativity and entrepreneurship (albeit accidental) with implications for place branding.

Research limitations/implications

The study is overtly documentary analysis-based and could, therefore be subjected to quantitative analysis in future research. Furthermore, the conceptual model could be tested with additional cases in the future.

Originality/value

In a broad sense, this study is a pioneering effort in the field of entrepreneurship and its interconnections with other disciplines – marketing (place and entrepreneurship) and pop culture. The conceptual model could form a basis for future research in such intersections.
Performance-based design of RC beams using an equivalent standard fire
Authors: Kuehnen Robert , Youssef Maged , El-Fitiany Salah
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The design of buildings for fire events is essential to ensure occupant safety. Supplementary to simple prescriptive methods, performance-based fire design can be applied to achieve a greater level of safety and flexibility in design. To make performance-based fire design more accessible, a time-equivalent method can be used to approximate a given natural fire event using a single standard fire with a specific duration. Doing so allows for natural fire events to be linked to the wealth of existing data from the standard fire scenario. The purpose of this paper is to review and assess the application of an existing time-equivalent method in the performance-based design of reinforced concrete (RC) beams.

Design/methodology/approach

The assessment is established by computationally developing the moment-curvature response of RC beam sections during fire exposure. The sectional response due to natural fire and time equivalent fire are compared.

Findings

It is shown that the examined time equivalent method is able to predict the sectional response with suitable accuracy for performance-based design purposes.

Originality/value

The research is the first to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the moment-curvature diagram of RC beams using time-equivalent standard fire scenarios that model realistic fire scenarios.
Gambling with leadership succession in Brazilian football: head coach turnovers and team performance
Authors: Galdino Matheus , Wicker Pamela , Soebbing Brian P.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Although leadership succession is a popular area of study across different professional sports leagues, existing research has largely ignored South America despite Brazilian football seeming to surpass the limits of coaching turnovers in comparison to any other league worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the causes and consequences of 594 head coach turnovers in the Brasileirão from 2003 to 2018. A comprehensive longitudinal dataset was compiled (n = 13,012) and a series of regression analysis evaluated the determinants of coaching replacements as well as their effect on team performance.

Findings

Statistical results revealed that coaching survival is significantly determined by a negative spell of three to four games, parallel competitions and performance expectations with three games in advance. Regarding performance outcomes, it takes seven games for a slight sign of improvement to be identified after a coach turnover, but no clear positive effects are recognized as an aftermath, supporting the ritual scapegoating theory.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that decision makers should consider the importance of a rational evaluation and the crucial component of time instead of judging coaches based on subjectivity and immediate results. Meanwhile, coaches should avoid voluntary turnovers, exercising priorities ahead of continental cups and sequences with few points accumulated.

Originality/value

This investigation discloses a valuable reference for coaches, sport managers and academic scholars interested in Brazilian football, as it extends knowledge development and theoretical understanding for a region that still lacks scientific evidence to back up its practical assumptions in sports.
A novel bacterial phylum that participates in carbon and osmolyte cycling in the Challenger Deep sediments
Authors: Cui Guojie , Zhou Yingli , Li Wenli , Gao Zhaoming , Huang Jiaomei , Wang Yong
Published: December 2020

Large amounts of detrital organic matter and osmolytes accumulate in the sediments of hadal trenches (>6000 m depth) due to the funnelling effect. It is still unknown whether there are novel active microbes that depend on specific carbon sources in extreme and isolated environments. In this study, we present a novel active bacterial phylum, Candidatus Tianyabacteria in the FCB superphylum, which was enriched in sediments collected from the Challenger Deep. Genome binning resulted in high‐quality Ca. Tianyabacteria genomes representing two Ca. Tianyabacteria lineages (L1 and L2) in sediments 0–21 cm below the surface (cmbsf); L1 tends to be abundant in the upper layers (0–9 cmbsf), and L2 seems to be more prevalent in the deeper layers (12–21 cmbsf). Gene annotation and transcriptomics results indicate that the two lineages might import and catalyse amino acids and myo‐inositol into central carbon metabolism for a heterotrophic lifestyle. Probably due to differences in environmental oxygen levels, the L2 genomes harbour gene clusters responsible for denitrification and fermentation, while the L1 genomes encode octahaem cytochrome c and multicopper oxidase using unknown substrates. The Ca. Tianyabacteria are thus novel heterotrophic organisms that participate in processes of carbon, nitrogen and organic osmolyte cycling in hadal sediments.
Regional unemployment in Egypt: Spatial panel data analysis
Authors: Al‐Ayouty Iman , Hassaballa Hoda
Published: December 2020

Egypt's rate of unemployment averaged 11% over the period 1993–2018. Although this has motivated abundant research, it has focused on nation‐wide unemployment, with little attention to unemployment at the regional (i.e., governorate) level. Indeed, there are wide disparities in unemployment among governorates. Moreover, high unemployment governorates may be clustered together in a way that yields spatial autocorrelation. The present paper therefore fills this gap in empirical literature by analysing unemployment by region using a spatial panel data model (for 27 governorates over the 2006–2016 period). It establishes the existence of (positive) spatial dependence in regional unemployment. Regional unemployment is further found to be affected by low levels of education among the governorates' populations (illiterates, and holders of intermediate and above intermediates) pointing to a mismatch between the skills demanded and the skills supplied at the governorate level. Though services have the highest share in average employment across governorates (0.64), followed by agriculture (0.26), neither of the two indicators (proxies) of activity mix is found to be statistically significant. Other variables expected to affect regional unemployment were not statistically significant (female and youth unemployment, despite high prevalence of both female and youth unemployment across the governorates of Egypt). Policy implications include: the pooling of efforts between neighbouring governorates to address unemployment; matching leading activities in the governorates with the ranks of the unemployed; using apprenticeship schemes; increasing female labour force participation; and promoting private sector job creation.
An income determination model for Greece in the Euro Zone
Authors: Thompson Henry
Published: December 2020

This paper modifies the income determination model to focus on two viable policies that would raise income in Greece with the government facing sizeable interest and debt payments. The usual macroeconomic policy options are unavailable in the Euro Zone with the balanced budget constraint, outside currency and fixed interest rate. On the monetary side, banking policy reform would eliminate bank account restrictions and mandatory purchase of government bonds. On the real side, investment policy reform would streamline the rent seeking bureaucracy. Together these policy reforms lead to income overshooting with a transitory trade surplus raising the money supply.
Why the EHRC Report into Anti‐Semitism in the Labour Party is About so much More than Anti‐Semitism in the Labour Party—A Personal View
Authors: Gaber Ivor
Published: December 2020

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) investigation into anti‐semitism in the Labour Party, the virtual disavowal of the report by Jeremy Corbyn, his subsequent suspension from and then reinstatement to the party and then his exclusion from the Parliamentary Labour Party, raise issues far wider than just the EHRC’s legalistic and limited investigation.
Orthographic learning and transfer of complex words: insights from eye tracking during reading and learning tasks
Authors: Ginestet Emilie , Shadbolt Jalyssa , Tucker Rebecca , Bosse Marie‐Line , Deacon S. Hélène
Published: December 2020

Background

Efficient word identification is directly tied to strong mental representations of words, which include spellings, meanings and pronunciations. Orthographic learning is the process by which spellings for individual words are acquired.

Methods

In the present study, we combined the classic self‐teaching paradigm with eye tracking to detail the process by which complex pseudowords are learned. With this methodology, we explored the visual processing and learning of complex pseudowords, as well as the transfer of that learning. We explore visual processing across exposures during the initial reading task and then measure learning and transfer in orthographic choice and spelling tasks.

Results

Online eye movement monitoring during the repeated reading of complex pseudowords revealed that visual processing varied across exposures with key differences based on word type Further, data from both dictation and eye movements recorded during the orthographic choice task suggested stronger learning of morphologically than orthographically complex pseudowords after four encounters. Finally, results suggested that learning transfer occurred, with similar levels of accurate recognition of new pseudowords that were morphologically or orthographically related to pseudowords learned during the reading phase than of new pseudowords never read.

Conclusions

The present study provides new insights into theory and methodological discussions of orthographic learning.
Digitally processing an image of a shoe impression in blood
Authors: Daniel Orit , Levi Aviad , Chaikovsky Alan , Cohen Yaron
Published: December 2020

Shoeprints are valuable crime scene exhibits because, given a reasonable‐quality impression and a suspect shoe, the forensic investigator can correlate the impression with the shoe and pin down a suspect. In similarity to bloody fingerprints, a common practice with bloody shoeprints is that the crime scene investigator photographs the impressions at a 90° angle with a scale, develops them with amido Black, and then photographs again. In most cases, the post‐development prints will feature better and more details that are usually sufficient to perform a comparison between the impression found at the crime scene and suspect's shoes. This study examined shoeprints in blood that had been collected in an apartment in northern Israel where two bodies were found. The floor tiles in the apartment had featured a colored design which in the post‐development photographs of the shoeprints blended in with the blood on the floor. As a result, the shoeprint impression was partial and small details were masked. In the laboratory, we processed the pre‐amido Black photograph in several steps designed to increase contrast. The result of this digital processing was a full shoeprint sufficiently clear to display randomly acquired characteristics of the sole and subsequently establish identification between the impression found at the crime scene and suspect's shoes. When chemical amplification is not sufficient, it is worth exploring other methods before proceeding with the comparison, as it is sometimes still possible to extract information from the same data using alternative methods in order to achieve a conclusive result.
Occurrence and severity of mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Tarsonemidae) on chili plants: Analysis of pest‐weather and host plant characteristics
Authors: Nasrin Mahbuba , Amin Md Ruhul , Miah Md Ramiz Uddin , Akanda Abdul Mannan , Miah Md Giashuddin , Kwon Ohseok , Suh Sang Jae
Published: December 2020

The abundance, infestation, and severity of the mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus were studied on the chili (Capsicum frutescens L., Solanaceae) varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 2, BARI Morich 3, BINA Morich 1, and Bogura Morich from November 2017 to June 2018. The abundance of mites was found from 05 February to 28 May, and the peak abundance on the chili varieties occurred on 09 April. Mite population showed the highest and the lowest occurrences on BINA Morich 1 and BARI Morich 2, respectively. The abundance of P. latus on the chili varieties showed significant positive correlation with temperature, and the relationship with relative humidity and rainfall was negative. Mite population was negatively correlated with leaf trichomes of all the chili varieties, and depicted significant negative correlation with the leaf area of BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 3 and BINA Morich 1. The number of flower of the chili varieties BARI Morich 3 and BINA Morich 1, and number of fruit of the varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 3, BINA Morich 1 and Bogura Morich showed significant negative correlation with mite population. The chili varieties demonstrated significant differences within their leaf curl indices (LCI), and infestation levels of flower and fruit. The BARI Morich 2 revealed the lowest level of mite infestation on flowers and fruits. The varieties BARI Morich 1, BARI Morich 2, and Bogura Morich contained <50% LCI, which were categorized as moderately resistant, and the rest varieties were categorized as susceptible due to >50% LCI.
Site‐directed mutagenesis of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 110 aroA improves bacterial growth and competitiveness for soybean nodulation in the presence of glyphosate
Authors: Quelas Juan I. , Lastra Rosario A. , Lorenze Carla , Escobar Mariel , Lepek Viviana C.
Published: December 2020

The in vitro growth of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 110 strain is inhibited by glyphosate. The herbicide affects 5‐enolpyruvylshikimic acid‐3‐phosphate synthase, a key enzyme for aromatic aminoacid synthesis. In this study, site‐directed mutagenesis was used to change only two nucleotides of the coding region of phosphoenolpyruvate binding site. This change improved the in vitro growth of B. diazoefficiens USDA 110 in the presence of glyphosate, without affecting its normal growth in the absence of the herbicide. Plant co‐inoculation experiments demonstrated a better competitiveness of the glyphosate‐resistant strain for soybean nodulation in the presence of glyphosate.
Modeling the human aging transcriptome across tissues, health status, and sex
Authors: Shokhirev Maxim N. , Johnson Adiv A.
Published: December 2020

Aging in humans is an incredibly complex biological process that leads to increased susceptibility to various diseases. Understanding which genes are associated with healthy aging can provide valuable insights into aging mechanisms and possible avenues for therapeutics to prolong healthy life. However, modeling this complex biological process requires an enormous collection of high‐quality data along with cutting‐edge computational methods. Here, we have compiled a large meta‐analysis of gene expression data from RNA‐Seq experiments available from the Sequence Read Archive. We began by reprocessing more than 6000 raw samples—including mapping, filtering, normalization, and batch correction—to generate 3060 high‐quality samples spanning a large age range and multiple different tissues. We then used standard differential expression analyses and machine learning approaches to model and predict aging across the dataset, achieving an R2 value of 0.96 and a root‐mean‐square error of 3.22 years. These models allow us to explore aging across health status, sex, and tissue and provide novel insights into possible aging processes. We also explore how preprocessing parameters affect predictions and highlight the reproducibility limits of these machine learning models. Finally, we develop an online tool for predicting the ages of human transcriptomic samples given raw gene expression counts. Together, this study provides valuable resources and insights into the transcriptomics of human aging.
Up‐regulation of cofilin‐1 in cell senescence associates with morphological change and p27kip1‐mediated growth delay
Authors: Tsai Cheng‐Han , Chang Chun‐Yuan , Lin Bing‐Ze , Wu Yu‐Lou , Wu Meng‐Hsiu , Lin Liang‐Tin , Huang Wen‐Chien , Holz Jonathan D. , Sheu Tzong‐Jen , Lee Jhih‐Shian , Kitsis Richard N. , Tai Pei‐Han , Lee Yi‐Jang
Published: December 2020

Morphological change is an explicit characteristic of cell senescence, but the underlying mechanisms remains to be addressed. Here, we demonstrated, after a survey of various actin‐binding proteins, that the post‐translational up‐regulation of cofilin‐1 was essential for the reduced rate of actin depolymerization morphological enlargement in senescent cells. Additionally, up‐regulated cofilin‐1 mainly existed in the serine‐3 phosphorylated form, according to the 2D gel immunoblotting assay. The up‐regulation of cofilin‐1 was also detected in aged mammalian tissues. The over‐expression of wild‐type cofilin‐1 and constitutively phosphorylated cofilin‐1 promoted cell senescence with an increased cell size. Additionally, senescent phenotypes were also reduced by knockdown of total cofilin‐1, which led to a decrease in phosphorylated cofilin‐1. The senescence induced by the over‐expression of cofilin‐1 was dependent on p27Kip1, but not on the p53 and p16INK4 expressions. The knockdown of p27Kip1 alleviated cell senescence induced by oxidative stress or replicative stress. We also found that the over‐expression of cofilin‐1 induced the expression of p27Kip1 through transcriptional suppression of the transcriptional enhancer factors domain 1 (TEAD1) transcription factor. The TEAD1 transcription factor played a transrepressive role in the p27Kip1 gene promoter, as determined by the promoter deletion reporter gene assay. Interestingly, the down‐regulation of TEAD1 was accompanied by the up‐regulation of cofilin‐1 in senescence. The knockdown and restoration of TEAD1 in young cells and old cells could induce and inhibit p27Kip1 and senescent phenotypes, respectively. Taken together, the current data suggest that cofilin‐1/TEAD1/p27Kip1 signaling is involved in senescence‐related morphological change and growth arrest.
Further evidence for a global decline of the entomofauna
Authors: Sánchez‐Bayo Francisco , Wyckhuys Kris A G
Published: December 2020

The Anthropocene is characterised by pervasive human‐inflicted impacts on a broad range of biota, including insects. In 2019, we reviewed scientific literature quantifying the prevalence and magnitude of insect declines in recent time. Here, drawing upon 40 additional long‐term studies, we add evidence that is consistent with our earlier review and some other reviews on the fate of insect populations globally. New data for Greenland, northern Africa, South America, eastern Asia and Australia complement studies from Europe and North America. Temporal trends in insect populations are now derived from 100 long‐term studies and refer mainly to the past three or four decades (median 33 years). Data from the 10 major insect taxonomic orders indicate that an average 37% of species are declining in numbers, while populations of 18% species are increasing; the latter taxa mainly involve agricultural herbivores and nuisance pests. Population changes are more pronounced among aquatic insect communities, where 42% of species are declining and 29% increasing. Such changes result in a decrease in biomass across taxa, except for Heteroptera. Changes in species richness and diversity indices are inconsistent and do not reflect intraspecific population changes over time. These trends are observed irrespective of taxon, geography or methodological approach, although a lack of long‐term monitoring records prevents a proper assessment for tropical regions.
Von Willebrand factor propeptide in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19): evidence of acute and sustained endothelial cell activation
Authors: Ward Soracha E. , Curley Gerard F. , Lavin Michelle , Fogarty Helen , Karampini Ellie , McEvoy Natalie L. , Clarke Jennifer , Boylan Maria , Alalqam Razi , Worrall Amy P. , Kelly Claire , de Barra Eoghan , Glavey Siobhan , Ni Cheallaigh Cliona , Bergin Colm , Martin‐Loeches Ignacio , Townsend Liam , Mallon Patrick W. , O'Sullivan Jamie M. , O'Donnell James S. ,   the Irish COVID‐19 Vasculopathy Study (ICVS) Investigators
Published: December 2020

Endothelial cell (EC) activation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary microvascular occlusion, which is a hallmark of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Consistent with EC activation, increased plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) levels have been reported in COVID‐19. Importantly however, studies in other microangiopathies have shown that plasma VWF propeptide (VWFpp) is a more sensitive and specific measure of acute EC activation. In the present study, we further investigated the nature of EC activation in severe COVID‐19. Markedly increased plasma VWF:Ag [median (interquatile range, IQR) 608·8 (531–830)iu/dl] and pro‐coagulant factor VIII (FVIII) levels [median (IQR) 261·9 (170–315) iu/dl] were seen in patients with severe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Sequential testing showed that these elevated VWF–FVIII complex levels remained high for up to 3 weeks. Similarly, plasma VWFpp levels were also markedly elevated [median (IQR) 324·6 (267–524) iu/dl]. Interestingly however, the VWFpp/VWF:Ag ratio was reduced, demonstrating that decreased VWF clearance contributes to the elevated plasma VWF:Ag levels in severe COVID‐19. Importantly, plasma VWFpp levels also correlated with clinical severity indices including the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, Sepsis‐Induced Coagulopathy (SIC) score and the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (P/F ratio). Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that sustained fulminant EC activation is occurring in severe COVID‐19, and further suggest that VWFpp may have a role as a biomarker in this setting.
Integrated histologic and molecular analysis of uterine leiomyosarcoma and 2 benign variants with nuclear atypia
Authors: Gao Tingting , Finkelman Brian S. , Ban Yanli , Li Yinuo , Yin Ping , Bulun Serdar E. , Lu Xinyan , Ha Chunfang , Wei Jian‐Jun
Published: December 2020

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare but deadly disease. Due to poor understanding of the molecular and genetic causes of the disease, the diagnosis of LMS has been based primarily on histology. Nuclear atypia is one of hallmarks in LMS, however, it also occurs in 2 clinically benign variants, including smooth muscle tumors with fumarate hydratase alteration (SMT‐FH) and leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei (LM‐BN). In addition to nuclear atypia, many well recognized biomarkers used for LMS are also frequently overexpressed in LM‐BN, and the histogenesis and molecular natures for LM‐BN and LMS remain largely unknown. To characterize the molecular profiling of LMS, SMT‐FH, and LM‐BN, we performed integrated comprehensive genomic profiling including whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing and genomic microarray analyses to assess genome‐wide copy number alterations (CNAs) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in all 3 tumor types. We found that both LM‐BN and LMS showed genomic instability and harbored extensive CNAs throughout the whole genome. By contrast, the SMT‐FH presented its characteristic 1q43‐44 deletions in all cases tested, with minimal CNAs in the rest of genomic regions. Further analyses revealed that LMS and LM‐BN groups showed similar patterns of CNAs that are tended to cluster together and separated from the SMT‐FH group. The integrated molecular profiling enabled the detection of novel and traditional biomarkers and showed excellent discrimination between LM‐BN and LMS. Our study suggests that LM‐BN, despite having similar nuclear atypia to SMT‐FH, showed similar genomic instability but distinct genomic alterations with its malignant counterpart of LMS. The integrated molecular profiling is of clinical importance in characterizing these rare uterine smooth muscle tumors.
The Role of Immigration Background, Intergroup Processes, and Social‐Cognitive Skills in Bystanders’ Responses to Bias‐Based Bullying Toward Immigrants During Adolescence
Authors: Gönültaş Seçil , Mulvey Kelly Lynn
Published: December 2020

This study examined how intergroup processes and social‐cognitive factors shape bystander responses to bias‐based and general bullying. Participants included sixth and ninth graders (N = 179,M = 13.23) who evaluated how likely they would be to intervene if they observed bullying of immigrant‐origin and nonimmigrant‐origin peers. Adolescents’ grade, intergroup attitudes, and social‐cognitive abilities were evaluated as predictors of bystander responses. Nonimmigrant‐origin adolescents reported that they expect they would be less likely to intervene when the victim is an immigrant‐origin peer. Furthermore, participants with more intergroup contact and higher theory of mind were more likely to expect they would intervene in response to bias‐based bullying. Findings have important implications for understanding factors that inform antibullying interventions that aim to tackle bias‐based bullying against immigrants.
Variety of endosomal TLRs and Interferons (IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ) expression profiles in patients with SLE, SSc and MCTD
Authors: Paradowska-Gorycka A , Wajda A , Stypinska B , Walczuk E , Rzeszotarska E , Walczyk M , Haladyj E , Romanowska-Prochnicka K , Felis-Giemza A , Lewandowska A , Olesińska M
Published: December 2020

We investigated Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3/-7/-8/-9 and interferon (IFN)-α/β/γ mRNA expression in whole blood and serum IFN-α/β/γ levels in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in healthy subjects to assess the association between the TLR–IFN expression and severity of and susceptibility to diseases, and identify potential biomarkers. Expression of the IFN-γ, TLR-3 and TLR-8 was detected only in SLE patients. TLR-7, IFN-α and IFN-β expression was highest in SLE, while TLR-9 expression was highest in SSc patients. In SLE and MCTD patients a strong correlation was observed between TLR-7 and IFN-α expression and IFN-β and IFN-α expression. In MCTD patients, negative correlation between IFN-α and TLR-9 and TLR-7 and TLR-9 was revealed. TLR-9 expression in anti-U1-70k-negative, anti-C negative and anti-SmB-negative MCTD patients was higher than in MCTD-positive patients. We observed negative correlations between serum IFN-α levels and TLR-7 expression and C3 and C4 levels in SLE patients. In SLE patients we observed that with increased IFN-γ, TLR-3 and TLR-8 expression increased the value of C3 and C4. Our results confirmed that the endosomal TLR–IFN pathway seems to be more important in SLE than in MCTD or SSc, and that IFN-α and IFN-β may be possible biomarkers for SLE.
Super enhancers—Functional cores under the 3D genome
Authors: Zhang Juqing , Yue Wei , Zhou Yaqi , Liao Mingzhi , Chen Xingqi , Hua Jinlian
Published: December 2020

Complex biochemical reactions take place in the nucleus all the time. Transcription machines must follow the rules. The chromatin state, especially the three‐dimensional structure of the genome, plays an important role in gene regulation and expression. The super enhancers are important for defining cell identity in mammalian developmental processes and human diseases. It has been shown that the major components of transcriptional activation complexes are recruited by super enhancer to form phase‐separated condensates. We summarize the current knowledge about super enhancer in the 3D genome. Furthermore, a new related transcriptional regulation model from super enhancer is outlined to explain its role in the mammalian cell progress.
Impact of age mismatch between donor and recipient on heart transplant mortality
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Bonnell Levi N. , Prikis Marios , Solomon Richard
Published: December 2020

The effect of donor‐to‐recipient (D‐R) age mismatch in adult heart transplant population is not clearly described, and we undertook this study to determine the impact of age mismatch on mortality. Heart transplant recipients from 2000 to 2017 were identified using the United Network of Organ Sharing database. The cohort was divided into three groups: donor age within 5 years of recipient age (Group 1), donors >5 years younger than recipient (group 2), and donors >5 years older than recipients (Group 3). We also evaluated if this finding changed by recipient age. Twenty eight thousand, four hundred and eleven patients met the inclusion criteria. Compared to group 1, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for mortality for group 2 was 0.91 (0.83–0.99, p value <.039) and for group 3 was 1.36 (1.21–1.52, p value <.001); however, when looking at recipient age as continuous variable, receiving a younger heart was protective only for recipients younger than 45 years of age, and receiving a heart transplant from an older donor was detrimental only in recipients aged 25–35.