bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic studies of non-canonical amino acid mutagenesis
Authors: Fleisher Rachel C. , Michael Nina , Gonzalez Ruben L.
Published: June 2021

Over the past decade, harnessing the cellular protein synthesis machinery to incorporate non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into tailor-made peptides has significantly advanced many aspects of molecular science. More recently, groundbreaking progress in our ability to engineer this machinery for improved ncAA incorporation has led to significant enhancements of this powerful tool for biology and chemistry. By revealing the molecular basis for the poor or improved incorporation of ncAAs, mechanistic studies of ncAA incorporation by the protein synthesis machinery have tremendous potential for informing and directing such engineering efforts. In this chapter, we describe a set of complementary biochemical and single-molecule fluorescence assays that we have adapted for mechanistic studies of ncAA incorporation. Collectively, these assays provide data that can guide engineering of the protein synthesis machinery to expand the range of ncAAs that can be incorporated into peptides and increase the efficiency with which they can be incorporated, thereby enabling the full potential of ncAA mutagenesis technology to be realized.
Deep learning and machine learning for EEG signal processing on the example of recognizing the disease of alcoholism
Authors: Ildar Rakhmatulin
Published: June 2021

Alcoholism is one of the most common diseases in the world. This type of substance abuse leads to mental and physical dependence on ethanol-containing drinks. Alcoholism is accompanied by progressive degradation of the personality and damage to the internal organs. Today still not exists a quick diagnosis method to detect this disease. This article presents the method for the quick and anonymous alcoholism diagnosis by neural networks. For this method, don’t need any private information about the subject. For the implementation, we considered various algorithms of machine learning and deep neural networks. In detail analyzed the correlation of the signals from electrodes by neural networks. The wavelet transforms and the fast Fourier transform was considered. The manuscript demonstrates that the deep neural network which operates only with a dataset of EEG correlation signals can anonymously classify the alcoholic and control groups with high accuracy.

On the one hand, this method will allow subjects to be tested for alcoholism without any personal data, which will not cause inconvenience or shame in the subject, and on the other hand, the subject will not be able to deceive specialists who diagnose the subject for the presence of the disease.
How do packet losses affect measures of averaged neural signals?
Authors: Dastin-van Rijn Evan M. , Harrison Matthew T. , Borton David A.
Published: June 2021

Recent advances in implanted device development have enabled chronic streaming of neural data to external devices allowing for long timescale, naturalistic recordings. However, characteristic data losses occur during wireless transmission. Estimates for the duration of these losses are typically uncertain reducing signal quality and impeding analyses. To characterize the effect of these losses on recovery of averaged neural signals, we simulated neural time series data for a typical event-related potential (ERP) experiment. We investigated how the signal duration and the degree of timing uncertainty affected the offset of the ERP, its duration in time, its amplitude, and the ability to resolve small differences corresponding to different task conditions. Simulations showed that long timescale signals were generally robust to the effects of packet losses apart from timing offsets while short timescale signals were significantly delocalized and attenuated. These results provide clarity on the types of signals that can be resolved using these datasets and provide clarity on the restrictions imposed by data losses on typical analyses.
Radiation-reprogrammed glioma stem cells generate vascular-like cells to build a trophic niche driving tumor recurrence
Authors: Muthukrishnan Sree Deepthi , Kawaguchi Riki , Nair Pooja , Prasad Rachna , Qin Yue , Johnson Maverick , VanderVeer-Harris Nathan , Condro Michael C. , Alvarado Alvaro G. , Pham Amy , Gau Raymond , Wang Qing , Castro Maria G. , Lowenstein Pedro R. , Deb Arjun , Hinman Jason D. , Pajonk Frank , Burns Terry C. , Goldman Steven A. , Geschwind Daniel H. , Kornblum Harley I.
Published: June 2021

Treatment-refractory glioma stem and tumor cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity driving recurrence, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, we employed single-cell and whole transcriptomic analyses to discover that radiation induces a dynamic shift in functional states of glioma cells allowing for acquisition of vascular endothelial-like and pericyte-like cell phenotypes. These vascular-like cells provide a trophic niche to promote proliferation of irradiated glioma cells, and their selective depletion results in reduced tumor growth post-treatment in vivo. Mechanistically, the acquisition of vascular-like phenotype is driven by increased chromatin accessibility and H3K27 acetylation in specific vascular gene regions post-treatment. Blocking P300 histone acetyltransferase activity reverses the epigenetic changes induced by radiation, and inhibits the phenotypic transition and tumor growth. Our findings highlight an important role for P300 histone acetyltransferase in treatment-induced plasticity and opens a new therapeutic avenue for preventing glioma recurrence.

Significance

Our study demonstrates that radiation therapy promotes glioma resistance by inducing vascular-like phenotypes in GSC that, in turn, aid in proliferation of the remaining tumor cells. This phenotype switch is mediated by P300 HAT, and inhibition of this enzyme is a potential therapeutic target for preventing glioma recurrence following radiation.
Refinement of K[HgI3]·H2O using non-spherical atomic form factors
Authors: Chocolatl Torres Misael , Bernès Sylvain , Salazar Kuri Ulises
Published: June 2021

The crystal structure model for potassium triiodidomercurate(II) monohydrate, K[HgI3]·H2O, based on single-crystal data, was reported 50 years ago [Nyqvist & Johansson (1971). Acta Chem. Scand. 25, 1615–1629]. We have now redetermined this structure with X-ray diffraction data at 0.70 Å resolution collected at 153 K using Ag Kα radiation. Combined quantum mechanical methods (ORCA) and computation of non-spherical scattering form factors (NoSpherA2) allowed the refinement of the shape of the water molecule with anisotropic H atoms, despite the presence of heavy elements in the crystal. The refined shape of the water molecule via this Hirshfeld refinement is close to that determined for liquid water by neutron diffraction experiments. Moreover, the Laplacian of the electron density clearly shows how electron density accumulates along the O—H σ-valence bonds in the water molecule.
Believe to go the extra mile: the influence of internal CSR initiatives on service employee organizational citizenship behaviors
Authors: Chou En-Yi , Liang Haw-Yi , Lin Jiun-Sheng Chris
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Leveraging the power of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is strategically important to corporations. Although various studies have explored the positive effects of CSR, few have been devoted to the investigation of CSR related to service employees from the internal marketing perspective. Therefore, this study fills this research gap by developing a conceptual model based on social influence theory to explain how internal CSR initiatives affect service employees' attitudes and behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops and empirically tests a theoretical model examining the impact of internal CSR initiatives (i.e. internal dissemination of and management support for CSR) on service employees' attitudes toward an organization (i.e. employee–company identification and value congruence), which ultimately enhance their organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) toward customers, other employees and the organization. Survey data from 271 frontline employees of service firms actively involved in CSR-related activities were examined with structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results suggest that perceived internal dissemination of and management support for CSR affect service employees' citizenship behaviors toward customers, other employees and the organization through the mediation of employee–company identification and value congruence.

Practical implications

Internal CSR initiatives are highly related to service employees' various OCBs that are beneficial to improving the service performance of firms. Therefore, it is imperative for companies to devote attention to internal marketing dissemination while promoting CSR. In addition, as managers' attitudes and behaviors trickle down to employees, service supervisors' support of CSR activities plays a significant role in forming employee perceptions of a firm's CSR dedication.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the first to view internal CSR initiatives as an effective internal marketing lever. Moreover, the relationship between internal CSR initiatives and service employees' OCBs – OCB toward customers, other employees and the organization – is proposed and tested with an empirical model, providing significant contributions.
Investigating the factors influencing Australian logistics companies toward environmental activity adoption
Authors: Sadeghian Esfahani Sonia , Cahoon Stephen , Chen Shu-Ling , Pateman Hilary , Sajadi Seyed Mojtaba
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine 12 factors influencing environmental activity adoption by Australian logistics companies.

Design/methodology/approach

After a literature review and collect the major factors influencing environmental activity adoption, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Friedman test are used to cluster and prioritize these factors through a Web survey.

Findings

The results of EFA show that these factors belong to three main groups including social and economic, pressure and governmental factors. The results of a Friedman test prioritizes 12 factors to find which factors have the greatest importance toward the adoption of environmental activity by managers of Australian logistics companies and reveals that governmental regulation, fuel and energy prices and the potential for achieving a competitive advantage, had the first to third ranking, respectively. Some new influencing factors in implementing environmental activities are found such as the willingness to be the market leader, responsibility and risk mitigation.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the new factors influencing environmental adoption.

Practical implications

Australian logistics managers can use the results of this paper in developing their strategies and public policymakers can also use these results to improve sustainable development.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that clusters and prioritizes factors influencing environmental adoption in the Australian logistics industry.
The impact of time budget and time deadline pressures on audit behaviour: UK evidence
Authors: Nehme Rabih , Michael Amir , Haslam Jim
Published: June 2021

Purpose

A survey is here systematically conducted to analyse auditors’ perceptions of dysfunctional auditing behaviour (DAB). As a result of many accounting scandals and litigations faced by audit firms, this paper aims to assess whether factors leading to DAB are embedded in audit firms’ practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used in this study comprises auditors at all levels of employment with the big four audit firms in the United Kingdom (UK). DAB is analysed using two signals/indicators: premature sign-off and under-reporting of chargeable time. Time budget pressure and time deadline pressure are the factors considered here as potentially pushing auditors to exhibit DAB. A careful and considered analysis and interpretation is here articulated. Additionally, the sample individuals are divided into audit trainees and experienced auditors to assess any potential differences in the perception of DAB that reflect the experience factor.

Findings

Coordination with internal auditors, different perceptions between audit trainees and experienced auditors of dysfunctional behaviour, working during their personal time and the box-ticking exercise are amongst the findings that may help practitioners to understand the reasons behind dysfunctional behaviour and identify measures to mitigate it.

Originality/value

The study can aid concerned executives and audit partners to minimise DAB related to different time pressures by casting light on the key ethical issues. The study is conducted on a sample of the big four firms in the UK covering all organisational structure. It assesses if experience plays a role in the perception of DAB.
Insights from a survey “comments” section: extending research on doctoral well-being
Authors: Sverdlik Anna , Mcalpine Lynn , Hall Nathan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to better understand the declines in doctoral students’ mental and physical health while pursuing their doctoral degrees, by revealing the major themes of students’ voluntary comments following a survey that primed students to reflect on these topics.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used qualitative thematic analysis to uncover themes in doctoral students’ voluntary comments on a large-scale, web-based survey of graduate students’ motivation and well-being.

Findings

A thematic analysis revealed six major emerging themes: timing in the degree process, work-life balance, health/well-being changes, impostor syndrome, the supervisor and hopelessness.

Research limitations/implications

The themes uncovered in the present study contribute to the literature by highlighting important underexplored topics (e.g. timing in the degree process, hopelessness) in doctoral education research and they are discussed and situated in the context of existing literature.

Practical implications

Implications for doctoral supervisors and departments are discussed.

Social implications

The present study highlights some pressing concerns among doctoral students, as articulated by the students themselves and can contribute to the betterment of doctoral education, thereby reducing attrition, improving the experiences of doctoral students and possibly affording more candidates to achieve a doctoral degree.

Originality/value

The present study makes the above-mentioned contributions by taking a novel approach and analyzing doctoral students’ voluntary comments (n = 607) on a large-scale, web-based survey. Thus, while some of the themes were primed by the survey itself, the data represent issues/concerns that students perceived as important enough to comment about after already having completed a lengthy questionnaire.
Towards sustainable tourism development: an evaluation of the current state of energy efficiency in North Cyprus
Authors: Özgit Hale , Abbasoğlu Serkan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to review the current state of energy efficiency in North Cyprus and the extent to which this supports small island sustainable tourism development, together with related policy implications.

Design/methodology/approach

Documentary analysis is used to evaluate energy efficiency studies in North Cyprus.

Findings

Results of this study reveal that the legal framework relating to energy efficiency and stakeholder reports about the level of energy efficiency falls short of expectations for sustainable tourism practices from an energy efficiency perspective.

Practical implications

Policymakers should consider revising the current draft energy efficiency law to take into account the needs and views of hospitality and tourism stakeholders. This could be accomplished by involving them in discussions about how enhanced energy efficiency could contribute to economic, social and environmental development. Further, policymakers and these industry stakeholders in North Cyprus should develop common goals to harmonise tourism and energy regulations in support of sustainable development.

Originality/value

This study evaluates current energy efficiency developments and possible contributions to sustainable tourism development in North Cyprus. Energy efficiency policy has not yet been applied in North Cyprus, and a broad-ranging policy could help to prevent future environmental problems in North Cyprus.
Cultural relativism and indigenous rights: Rethinking some dilemmas in applied anthropology (part 1)
Authors: Colchester Marcus
Published: June 2021

The basis on which peoples should understand and relate to each other is a key dilemma for applied anthropology and a human rights organization such as the Forest Peoples Programme. Cultural relativism rejects universalism, critiques the individualist emphasis of human rights as Western imperialism and teaches that every society must be understood in its own terms. While it is true that some countries have resisted the impositions of the human rights regime, most have also ratified the key human rights treaties. It is clear that the notion of ‘human rights’ is a cultural construct of Western civilization, with a long gestation dating back to the ancient Greeks. Human rights have three foundational principles: individual rights, non‐discrimination and self‐determination. The tension between the three creates space for cultural specificity, decolonization and the assertion of collective rights. Indigenous peoples have effectively used the human rights system of the United Nations to reclaim their collective rights and, in so doing, accept that these universal norms also apply to their own societies, which they reform through their self‐determined efforts. Ultimately, all human rights trace back to various conceptions of freedom – free will, freedom of belief, autonomy and self‐determination – and even in societies where personhood is more relational and communal, notions of collective freedom are readily discernible. We need an ‘anthropology of freedom’ that builds on the insights of cultural relativism but is open to supporting self‐determined movements for reform.
Benchmarking government: Report on government services (RoGS) – 25 years on
Authors: McGuire Linda , Prior Jonson Elizabeth , Perryman Steve , McKeown Tui
Published: June 2021

Robust indicators and measures for outputs and outcomes against agreed objectives are the holy grail of performance reporting. Transparent performance reporting can be a means to improving accountability to taxpayers for public funds and responsiveness to users. The Report on Government Services (RoGS) for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is widely seen as ‘an exemplar of benchmarking in a federal system.’ Twenty‐five years on, RoGS has been institutionalised and the approach to performance reporting was central to the COAG reform agenda. Annual reports compare the equity, effectiveness, and efficiency of outputs and outcomes across governments in six key areas – childcare, education and training; health; justice; emergency management; community services; and housing and homelessness. Performance indicators and measures have increased the accountability of state and territory governments for their management of public funds. The significance of RoGS is the unprecedented scale and scope of performance indicators and its longevity. The services benchmarked in the 25th report in 2020 accounted for $247 billion, representing 70% of government recurrent expenditure and 13% of GDP.
Do Business Angels’ Investments Make It Easier to Raise Follow‐on Venture Capital Financing? An Analysis of the Relevance of Business Angels’ Investment Practices
Authors: Capizzi Vincenzo , Croce Annalisa , Tenca Francesca
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we shed light on interactions among the various investors operating within the entrepreneurial finance ecosystem. Specifically, we aim to investigate what business angel (BA) investment practices are correlated with follow‐on venture capital (VC) financing, and uncover the strategies that determine a complementary‐based or a substitution‐based relationship with VCs. We analysed a sample of 176 companies that received a BA investment during 2008–2016 and collected financial data over a 10‐year period after the BA investment. The data examined indicate that BAs’ selectivity, as measured by their rejection rate, and BAs’ affiliation to an angel network, are positively related with the probability of raising follow‐on VC financing. However, a high level of BAs’ monitoring activity negatively influences the probability of obtaining VC funding. Interestingly, BA networks do affect this relationship. The positive impact of BAs’ rejection rate is informative for VC decisions if the BA does not invest through a network. Conversely, a high level of monitoring may convey a negative signal for VC, particularly if the BA is affiliated to a network. These results extend our knowledge of the investment practices of BAs and their role in allowing angel‐backed companies to raise follow‐on VC financing.
New Trajectories in Worker Voice: Integrating and Applying Contemporary Challenges in the Organization of Work
Authors: Wilkinson Adrian , Knoll Michael , Mowbray Paula K. , Dundon Tony
Published: June 2021

This paper aims to encourage a debate on the proposed transactive relationship between voice and contemporary social, economic and technological (SET) developments. Specifically, we propose that SET developments change how work is approached, organized and designed, and that these changes challenge employee rights, roles and responsibilities. How employees deal with these challenges affects their well‐being and health, and whether organizations and societies can develop sustainably. While voice is a way for employees to have a say in these developments, we argue that SET changes can be times at which voice is threatened. Moreover, we propose that SET changes urge us to question and reshape our understanding of voice. We propose that a functional conceptualization of voice provides opportunities to integrate existing approaches which are often scattered across disciplines, and is inclusive of new opportunities and constraints that come with SET developments. Using examples of two meta‐trends, we illustrate how SET changes challenge traditional conceptualizations of voice and identify ‘new trajectories’ to expand more inclusive forms of voice and more useful research paradigms. These meta‐trends are digitalization (including new business models and employment forms, alternative/flexible work arrangements, technology‐mediated communication) and diversification (including internationalization and marginalized/minority groups).
Rethinking Universal Health Coverage: A qualitative study of patient organisation perspectives on the Turkish health‐care system
Authors: Yilmaz Volkan
Published: June 2021

Universal health coverage (UHC) has been elevated to the status of a global policy target, but this was at the expense of losing its aspirational meaning. As a case in point, Turkey has been one of the countries that has achieved UHC, according to the technocratic definition. This article employs a combination of deductive and inductive thematic analysis methods to explore patient organisation (PO) perspectives on the Turkish health‐care system based on 26 respondent interviews from 19 POs in Istanbul. Highlighting the inadequacy of the technocratic definition of UHC, the article maintains that an analysis of PO perspectives opens the way for a nuanced and bottom‐up assessment of essential service coverage and financial protection by identifying elusive gaps in both dimensions that would otherwise be lost in generalist evaluations. The findings also underline the importance of keeping intact the UHC’s aspirational element to enable POs to participate in the politics of priority setting in health care.
Body mass index is just a number: Conflating riskiness and unhealthiness in discourse on body size
Authors: Gutin Iliya
Published: June 2021

Despite the ubiquity of the body mass index (BMI) in discourse on health, there is ambiguity in its use as a biomarker of current abnormality versus future risk. This distinction is consequential for knowledge of the relationship between body size and health, as well as for individuals deemed to have abnormal and ‘unhealthy’ bodies. Consequently, the purposes of this review are threefold. The first is to differentiate this ‘biomarker’ perspective from extant critiques of BMI as a proxy for healthbehavioursor as the defining characteristic of obesity as adisease. The second is to highlight the shift towards treating BMI as a measure of attained unhealthiness, rather than a probabilistic indicator of risk. Finally, rather than call for the abolition of BMI, this paper argues that its continued use as ‘just a number’ is in keeping with the push for weight neutrality in research and practice. The review concludes by demonstrating how the riskiness and unhealthiness of body size is conflated in public health messaging on COVID‐19. BMI is a marker of risk, but its use as a surrogate for COVID‐19 severity equates body size with health, shaping beliefs about vulnerability and personal responsibility amid an ongoing pandemic.
Financial conditions, local competition, and local market leaders: The case of real estate developers
Authors: Fan Ying , Leung Charles Ka Yui , Yang Zan
Published: June 2021

This paper studies whether (and how) corporate decisions are affected by internal factors (e.g., the financial conditions of own company) and external factors (e.g., the actions of local competitors) in an imperfectly competitive environment. We study the listed real estate developers in Beijing as a case study. Our hand‐collected dataset includes transaction‐level information booked indicators (e.g., profitability, liability, and liquidity) and unbooked financial indicators (political connections). Our multi‐step empirical model shows that both the firm's financial conditions and its competitors' counterparts are essential but play different roles in the output design, pricing, and the time‐on‐the‐market (TOM). Internal versus external factors' relative importance relates nonlinearly to the degrees of market concentration. Market leaders' existence alters the small firms' strategy and leads to higher selling prices and slower selling pace in the local market. Our comprehensive financial indicators (booked and unbooked) better predict corporate behaviors than traditional measures.
Quantitative easing and agency MBS investment and financing choices by mortgage REITs
Authors: Frame W. Scott , Steiner Eva
Published: June 2021

We study Agency Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (Agency MREITs)—shadow banks that invest in guaranteed U.S. Agency mortgage‐backed securities (MBS) and that are principally funded with repo debt—to test how quantitative easing (QE) affects financial risk taking. Agency MREIT asset growth is inversely related to the Federal Reserve's Agency mortgage‐backed securities (MBS) purchases, reflecting investor portfolio rebalancing. Agency MREITs increased leverage during QE, consistent with “reaching for yield.” They countered the heightened solvency risk by extending repo maturity and increased hedging of funding costs to reduce liquidity and interest rate risk. Research linking QE to increased credit risk taking should account for contemporaneous changes in financing choices and risk management.
Learning from home learning: Crossing boundaries of place and identity
Authors: Beasy Kim , Murphy Carol , Hicks David , Muir Tracey
Published: June 2021

During the COVID‐19 lockdown, parents and caregivers were asked to take greater responsibility for their children's education while they were unable to attend school. In this commentary, we report on data sourced from 243 participants in theTasmania Projectin Australia about their experiences of learning from home during COVID‐19 lockdown. We engage with ideas about boundaries and bounding processes to understand how participants perceived challenges to their children's learning from home. They identified a lack of physical space for children's work to be performed and a lack of time, skill, and confidence to support them. We explore the bounding processes inherent to understanding and constituting education through identity, space, and place making and consider the ways in which these processes were revealed in the challenges identified by respondents. We argue that home learning disrupted known practices associated with education and schooling and challenged accepted categories and socio‐spatial divisions created by institutionalisation. We anticipate that exploring the challenges of home learning during COVID‐19 from the perspectives of parents and caregivers will inform future home–school partnerships.
Economic and socio‐spatial diversification in Wollongong’s metropolitan evolution: Divergent suburbanising trajectories of Dapto and Thirroul
Authors: Holmes John
Published: June 2021

The eastern Australian city of Wollongong has a distinctive metropolitan evolution strongly shaped by its exceptional physical site and imposition onto a prior urban network. This change over time has led to complexity and variability in local suburbanising trajectories that are revealed in the contrasting histories of Dapto and Thirroul—once settlements in their own rights, now suburbs of the greater metropolitan area that is Wollongong. Insights gained in field surveys undertaken in 1962 and 1963 by students from the University of New England, supplemented by 1961 census data, provided a cross‐sectional overview of the critical initial phase in the suburbanising transition, involving flux in both workforce and workplace. Locality data from the 2017 census and reconnaissance survey provided a chance to engage in a longitudinal enquiry into their evolving roles as suburbs within the emergent Wollongong metropolis. Suburbanisation inevitably leads to socioeconomic differentiation driven by amenity versus affordability gradients, evidenced in demographic profiles and real estate values. Wollongong’s distinctive natural landscapes have become increasingly influential in socioeconomic polarisation, partially aligned to its exceptional physical site, reflected in the evolving contrasted identities and status of Dapto and Thirroul. While Dapto has presented yet another case study in incipient working‐class decomposition and welfare dependency, Thirroul’s distinctive natural assets have driven its transformation as a gentrified locale increasingly inhabited by the professional and managerial classes. The time span extending over six decades between the two surveys presented an exceptional opportunity for longitudinal socio‐spatial research into residential decision processes.
Endophytes isolated from Panax notoginseng converted ginsenosides
Authors: Wei Guangfei , Chen Zhongjian , Wang Bo , Wei Fugang , Zhang Guozhuang , Wang Yong , Zhu Guangwei , Zhou Yuxin , Zhao Qinghe , He Mingjun , Dong Linlin , Chen Shilin
Published: June 2021

Endophytes may participate in the conversion of metabolites within medicinal plants, influencing the efficacy of host. However, the distribution of endophytes within medicinal plants P. notoginseng and how it contributes to the conversion of saponins are not well understood. Here, we determined the distribution of saponins and endophytes within P. notoginseng compartments and further confirm the saponin conversion by endophytes. We found metabolites showed compartment specificity within P. notoginseng. Potential saponin biomarkers, such as Rb1, Rg1, Re, Rc and Rd, were obtained. Endophytic diversity, composition and co‐occurrence networks also showed compartment specificity, and bacterial alpha diversity values were highest in root compartment, consistently decreased in the stem and leaf compartments, whereas those of fungi showed the opposite trend. Potential bacterial biomarkers, such as Rhizobium, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pantoea and fungal biomarkers Phoma, Epicoccum, Xylariales, were also obtained. Endophytes related to saponin contents were found by Spearman correlation analysis, and further verification experiments showed that Enterobacter chengduensis could convert ginsenoside Rg1 to F1 at a rate of 13.24%; Trichoderma koningii could convert ginsenoside Rb1 to Rd at a rate of 40.00% and to Rg3 at a rate of 32.31%; Penicillium chermesinum could convert ginsenoside Rb1 to Rd at a rate of 74.24%.
MiMiC: a bioinformatic approach for generation of synthetic communities from metagenomes
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Hitch Thomas C. A. , Haller Dirk , Lagkouvardos Ilias , Clavel Thomas
Published: June 2021

Environmental and host‐associated microbial communities are complex ecosystems, of which many members are still unknown. Hence, it is challenging to study community dynamics and important to create model systems of reduced complexity that mimic major community functions. Therefore, we developed MiMiC, a computational approach for data‐driven design of simplified communities from shotgun metagenomes. We first built a comprehensive database of species‐level bacterial and archaeal genomes (n = 22 627) consisting of binary (presence/absence) vectors of protein families (Pfam = 17 929). MiMiC predicts the composition of minimal consortia using an iterative scoring system based on maximal match‐to‐mismatch ratios between this database and the Pfam binary vector of any input metagenome. Pfam vectorization retained enough resolution to distinguish metagenomic profiles between six environmental and host‐derived microbial communities (n = 937). The calculated number of species per minimal community ranged between 5 and 11, with MiMiC selected communities better recapitulating the functional repertoire of the original samples than randomly selected species. The inferred minimal communities retained habitat‐specific features and were substantially different from communities consisting of most abundant members. The use of a mixture of known microbes revealed the ability to select 23 of 25 target species from the entire genome database. MiMiC is open source and available at https://github.com/ClavelLab/MiMiC.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in eastern China—A hospital based study
Authors: Kong Chun‐yu , Wang Chang‐lei , Niu Kai‐jun , Qi Wufang
Published: June 2021

Objective

The purpose of this hospital clinic based study was to evaluate the potential risk factors associated with the prevalence of MetS in RA population.

Methods

From January 2015 to October 2018, 717 patients with RA and 717 healthy controls who were treated or performed physical examination in Tianjin First Central Hospital were enrolled in this study. The basic disease diagnoses were recorded. A questionnaire was performed on all participants to assess the demographic details of the RA cohort. Moreover, laboratory indicators related to glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with RA were also detected. The potential risk factors for MetS were also analyzed.

Results

The prevalence of MetS were 31.2% and 34.2% in case and control groups, respectively (P = .22). There were lower levels of HDL‐C, obesity, TG, LDL‐C and TC in case group than control group (all P < .05). The hypertension levels in healthy controls was decreased in compared with patients with RA (P < .05). Nevertheless, in patients with RA, complement 3 (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.03, P = .007) and less glucocorticoids use (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39‐0.99, P = .046) were associated with MetS.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MetS was not associated with RA. Complement 3 may be associated with the higher prevalence of MetS in patients with RA. Glucocorticoids treatment may be associated with MetS.
Relationship between level of response to alcohol and acute tolerance
Authors: Anthenelli Robert M. , McKenna Benjamin S. , Smith Tom L. , Schuckit Marc A.
Published: June 2021

Background

A low level of response (low LR) to alcohol correlates with the later development of alcohol‐related problems. Although some of the underpinnings of LR are understood, little is known about the potential relationship between LR and acute tolerance. The current analyses tested the hypothesis that a low LR will be explained in part by more intense acute tolerance to alcohol during a drinking session.

Methods

Data were generated through a reanalysis of data from 120 individuals who were 18‐ to 25‐year‐old, sex‐matched pairs of low and high LR drinkers who at baseline did not meet criteria for an alcohol use disorder. Each subject participated in an oral alcohol challenge in which they consumed about 0.7 ml ethanol per kg and acute tolerance was measured as the differences in alcohol's effects at similar breath alcohol levels (BrACs) during the rising and falling breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) curve. Measures included aspects of the Subjective High Assessment Scale (SHAS) and body sway.

Results

Contrary to our hypothesis, but similar to results with other alcohol measures, acute tolerance was significantly attenuated in low LR compared with high LR individuals on most SHAS scores. Neither LR group demonstrated acute tolerance to alcohol for sleepiness or body sway. Men and women did not differ on any of these measures.

Conclusion

These data do not support a role of acute tolerance in the low LR to alcohol as measured by subjective feelings of intoxication or body sway in these subjects, findings that were similar across males and females. In addition, consistent with the literature, the analyses demonstrated differences across measures such that acute tolerance was observed for most measures of subjective effects but not for body sway. Among the subjective effects, acute tolerance was observed for alcohol's intoxicating effect but not for feeling sleepy.
Seasonal patterns of endozoochory by cattle in subtropical grassland in southern Brazil
Authors: Minervini Silva Graziela Har , Overbeck Gerhard Ernst
Published: June 2021

Seed dispersal influences plant community dynamics and regeneration. Zoochory by cattle is a particularly important type of dispersal in grasslands, but still poorly understood in subtropical grasslands. We studied endozoochory in a native grassland area with different grazing intensities, defined by distinct forage allowance levels. On one day in each of the four seasons of the year, dung samples were collected and kept in a greenhouse for germination over one full year. At each dung collection date, a survey of reproducing plants was conducted to relate the species composition of seed within dung to the community in dispersal phase. We used randomisation tests to compare grazing intensities and seasons in terms of dung community richness, abundance and composition. We recorded 93 species in the dung samples, with 65 species in the spring samples, 61 in summer samples, 45 in the autumn samples and 37 in the winter samples. Of the 90 species identified in the vegetation, almost 50% (43 species) also occurred in dung samples. Graminoid herbs presented the largest number of species in all samples. Grazing had no effect on overall seed and species number, but was related to compositional differences in the cattle dung communities. Grazing also influenced the species composition in relation to life cycle, by the increase of annual species at the extremes of our grazing gradient (very high or very low grazing intensities). We conclude that endozoochory by cattle is an important process for the dispersal of native species in the studied system, with potential applications in grassland management and restoration. A better understanding of the strategies involved in seed dispersal is essential to improve knowledge about grassland vegetation regeneration and maintenance.
Engrafted Kin: Ethics and Cognition in Scientific and Artistic Activity
Authors: Espinoza Manuel Luis
Published: June 2021

This paper takes a “natural history approach” (Erickson, 1982) in describing and analyzing the making of a fanciful object—a wind sculpture—by a young woman and a staff scientist in a youth outreach program called X‐Tech at the San Francisco Exploratorium. Working from audio‐video footage, audio recordings, and in situ notes, I provide a report of how a wind sculpture evolved from idea to functioning artifact over the course of two days. I draw on a six‐year ethnographic relationship with a network of educators at the Exploratorium to situate the conjoint social action. The “characters” in this account are the adult and youth participants along with the material and ideational tools. I show how opportunities to engage in experiences that foster growth were made common and plentiful by this network of educators and youth participants. I also show how those opportunities were generated and entered into by participants of different ages and social roles, and how people made their way through opportunities to learn by thinking and talking in tandem.
JAK2 deficiency improves erectile function in diabetic mice through attenuation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis
Authors: Li Hao , Xu Wenchao , Liu Xiaming , Wang Tao , Wang Shaogang , Liu Jihong , Jiang Hongyang
Published: June 2021

Background

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is activated in diabetic mellitus (DM) conditions and may enhance oxidative stress, apoptosis and fibrosis in many tissues. Whether JAK2 activation is involved in the occurrence of diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED) is unknown.

Objectives

We performed this study to investigate the effect of JAK2 deficiency on diabetic ED.

Materials and methods

Conditional JAK2 gene knockout mice (Cre+/+‐JAK2fl/fl) were used, in which JAK2 gene knockout could be induced by tamoxifen. Mice fell into four groups: control, JAK2 knockout (JAK2−/−), DM, and DM with JAK2−/−. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Two months later, JAK2 gene knockout was induced with tamoxifen in Cre+/+‐JAK2fl/fl mice. After another 2 months, erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve, and penile tissues were harvested. Ratio of maximal intracavernosal pressure (MIP) to mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), expression and phosphorylation of JAK2, oxidative stress level, NO/Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) pathway, apoptosis, fibrosis, and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1)/Smad/Collagen IV pathway in corpus cavernosum, were measured.

Results

JAK2 expression was remarkably decreased after induction with tamoxifen. JAK2 was activated in penile tissues of diabetic mice, and JAK2 deficiency could improve the impaired erectile function caused by DM. However, in mice without DM, JAK2 deficiency had no apparent influence on erectile function. Levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis, fibrosis, and TGF‐β1/Smad/Collagen IV pathway were all elevated by DM, whereas JAK2 deficiency lessened these alterations in diabetic mice. Moreover, JAK2 deficiency improved the expression of the down‐regulated NO/cGMP pathway in diabetic mice. In non‐diabetic mice, no apparent changes were found in aforementioned parameters after JAK2 gene knockout.

Discussion and conclusion

Our study showed that JAK2 deficiency could improve erectile function in diabetic mice, which might be mediated by reduction in oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis in corpus cavernosum.
Bilateral cataract surgery improves neurologic brake reaction time and stopping distance in elderly drivers
Authors: Nowosielski Yvonne , Leitner Benedikt , Rauchegger Teresa , Angermann Reinhard , Psomiadi Angeliki , Palme Christoph , Laimer Johannes , Liebensteiner Michael , Zehetner Claus
Published: June 2021

Aims

To determine brake reaction times before and after bilateral cataract surgery in elderly drivers.

Methods

Sixty‐four patients were evaluated on the day of and 4 weeks after bilateral cataract surgery. Forty‐three healthy individuals with a valid driving licence served as the control group. A driving simulator was used to determine brake reaction times after receiving a visual stimulus. Total brake reaction time (BRT) as well as neurologic reaction time (NRT), foot transfer time (FTT) and brake pedal travel time (BPTT) were measured, and the measurements obtained before and after cataract surgery were compared. The correlations between NRT, best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) were assessed.

Results

Out of the 64 patients with bilateral cataract, 53 were assessed for postsurgical measurements. All time measures improved significantly after cataract surgery (BRT, 815.7(224) versus 647.9(148) ms; NRT, 364.7(91) versus 283.5(44) ms; FTT, 290.8(62) versus 248.6(58) ms; and BPTT, 160.6(96) versus 116.6(72) ms, p < 0.001). The calculated stopping distance improved significantly after surgery (22.3(6) versus 19.9(4) m at 50 km/h). Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) improved significantly after surgery (0.25(0.2) versus 0.05(0.05), n = 53, p < 0.001; 1.4(0.2) versus 1.6(0.1), p < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between CS and NRT before surgery (r = −0.253, n = 64, p = 0.04, Pearson’s correlation).

Conclusion

Our findings show a significant effect of CS on neurological BRTs and the corresponding stopping distances. This highlights the importance of presurgical CS evaluation as a critical factor in cataract surgery decisions in elderly drivers.
Parenting an adolescent with complex regional pain syndrome: A dyadic qualitative investigation of resilience
Authors: Cox Danielle , McParland Joanna L. , Jordan Abbie
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Adolescent chronic pain exists within a social context, affecting the lives of adolescents, parents, peers, and wider family members. Typically, parental research has focussed on the negative impact on parents associated with parenting an adolescent with chronic pain. However, a small number of studies have identified positive parental outcomes and functioning, with a focus on parental resilience. This study sought to extend existing knowledge by providing a detailed and contextualized understanding of how parental dyads experience and demonstrate resilience in response to parenting an adolescent with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and the meaning that parents ascribe to these shared experiences.

Design

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to conduct an in‐depth qualitative interview study of parents of an adolescent with CRPS.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted via Skype with eight mother–father parental dyads of an adolescent aged 11–25 years with CRPS.

Results

A single prominent theme ‘masking reality in the face of pain’ dominated the parental discourse and experience of resilience. Resilience was experienced as an incongruence between private distress and the perceived obligation to display socially desirable resilience behaviours to protect their child from their own distress.

Conclusions

Study findings highlight the benefits of strength‐based interventions to enhance parental resilience. This is particularly important since parental behaviours have been shown to influence child pain outcomes. Future research should seek to explore resilience in different populations such as lone parents, siblings, and those parenting an adolescent with pain conditions other than CRPS.
Virtual Creature Morphology ‐ A Review
Authors: Lai G. , Leymarie F.F. , Latham W. , Arita T. , Suzuki R.
Published: June 2021

We present a review of methods for procedurally generating the morphology of virtual creatures. We include a range of methods, with the main groups being from ALife over art to video games. Even though at times these groups overlap, for clarity we have kept this distinction. By including the word virtual, we mean that we focus on methods for simulation in silico, and not physical robots. We also include a historical perspective, with information on methods such as cellular automata, L‐systems and a focus on earlier pioneers in the field.