bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit A and B mutants – an insight into differentially expressed genes and protein-protein interactions
Authors: Wickramasuriya Anushka M. , Hewavithana Thulani M. , de Silva Kithmee K. , Ullah Ihsan , Dunwell Jim M.
Published: February 2022

One of the main replicative enzymes in most eukaryotes, DNA polymerase ε (POLE), is composed of four subunits, namely a single catalytic and three regulatory subunits. In Arabidopsis, the catalytic subunit of POLE is encoded by two genes: Arabidopsis thaliana DNA POLYMERASE EPSILON CATALYTIC SUBUNIT A (AtPOL2A) and B (AtPOL2B). Although studies have shown AtPOL2A to be involved in various biological processes, the role of AtPOL2B is unclear. Here, we investigated the transcriptomes of both atpol2a and atpol2b mutants, and the promoter sequences to provide a better insight into the targets of AtPOL2s at the molecular level. In the present study, leaf cDNA libraries of four AtPOL2 mutants (atpol2a-1 and atpol2b-1, -2 and - 3) were sequenced using the Illumina platform. Analysis of gene expression profiles identified a total of 198, 76, 141 and 67 differentially expressed genes in atpol2a-1, atpol2b-1, atpol2b-2 and atpol2b-3, respectively; the majority of pericentromeric transposable elements were transcriptionally active in atpol2a-1 as compared to atpol2b mutants and wild type. Protein-protein interaction network analysis and molecular docking identified three (CER1, RPA1E and AT5G60250) and two (PR1 and AT5G48490) proteins as potential interactors (cluster size > 60 and balanced score < -900) of AtPOL2A and AtPOL2B, respectively; Interestingly, these five proteins also showed a significant interaction between POLE catalytic subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our in silico promoter analysis showed that the AtPOL2A promoter sequence is overrepresented with cis-acting regulatory elements (CREs) associate with cell cycle regulation, meristematic/reproductive tissue-specific pattern of expression and MYB protein recognition, whereas the AtPOL2B promoter sequence was mainly enriched with stress-responsive elements. The information provided here has led to the identification of targets of AtPOL2s at the molecular level and CREs putatively associated with the regulation of AtPOL2s. To our knowledge, this study provides the first comparative transcriptome profiling of single-gene mutants of AtPOL2s.
A live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with accessory protein deletions
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Xianwen , Liu Jianying , Xia Hongjie , Zou Jing , Muruato Antonio E. , Periasamy Sivakumar , Plante Jessica A. , Bopp Nathen E. , Kurhade Chaitanya , Bukreyev Alexander , Ren Ping , Wang Tian , Vineet D. Menachery , Plante Kenneth S. , Xie Xuping , Weaver Scott C. , Shi Pei-Yong
Published: February 2022

We report a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate with (i) re-engineered viral transcriptional regulator sequences and (ii) deleted open-reading-frames (ORF) 3, 6, 7, and 8 (Δ3678). The Δ3678 virus replicates about 7,500-fold lower than wild-type SARS-CoV-2 on primary human airway cultures, but restores its replication on interferon-deficient Vero-E6 cells that are approved for vaccine production. The Δ3678 virus is highly attenuated in both hamster and K18-hACE2 mouse models. A single-dose immunization of the Δ3678 virus protects hamsters from wild-type virus challenge and transmission. Among the deleted ORFs in the Δ3678 virus, ORF3a accounts for the most attenuation through antagonizing STAT1 phosphorylation during type-I interferon signaling. We also developed an mNeonGreen reporter Δ3678 virus for high-throughput neutralization and antiviral testing. Altogether, the results suggest that Δ3678 SARS-CoV-2 may serve as a live-attenuated vaccine candidate and a research tool for potential biosafety level-2 use.
Machine learning analysis reveals biomarkers for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Lam Simon , Arif Muhammad , Song Xiya , Uhlen Mathias , Mardinoglu Adil
Published: February 2022

It is critical to identify biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) to advance disease diagnosis and accelerate drug discovery for effective treatment of patients. In this work, we retrieved genotyping and clinical data from 1223 UK Biobank participants to identify genetic and clinical biomarkers for NDDs, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), motor neuron disease (MND), and myasthenia gravis (MG). Using a machine learning modelling approach and Monte Carlo randomisation, we identified 16 informative clinical variables for predicting AD, PD, MND, and MG. In a multinomial model, these clinical variables could correctly predict the diagnosis of one of the four diseases with an accuracy of 88.3%. In addition to clinical biomarkers, we also explored genetic biomarkers. In a genome-wide association study of AD, PD, MND, and MG patients, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) implicated in several craniofacial disorders such as apnoea and branchiootic syndrome. We found evidence for shared genetic risk loci across NDDs, including SNPs in cancer-related genes and SNPs known to be associated with non-brain cancers such as Wilms tumour, leukaemia, and pancreatic cancer. Our analysis supports current knowledge regarding the ageing-related degeneration/cancer shift.

Significance statement

This study highlights the potential for hypothesis-free mathematical modelling of easily measured clinical variables to identify diagnostic biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Prior to this study, the focus in NDD research has surrounded toxic species such as amyloid beta and α-synuclein, but this approach has not enjoyed success at clinical trial. Here, we studied Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease, and myasthenia gravis by constructing and inspecting a multinomial based on demographics and blood and urine biochemistry. Cognitive measures were important for the predictive power of the model. Model weights correctly indicated multiple trends reported in the literature. Separately, genome-wide association indicated a shared risk profile between NDD and cancer, which has also been reported in the literature.
Vascular mimicry by VE-cadherin enables trophoblast endovascular invasion and spiral artery remodeling during placental development
Authors: Sung Derek C. , Chen Xiaowen , Chen Mei , Yang Jisheng , Schultz Susan , Babu Apoorva , Xu Yitian , Gao Siqi , Keller TC Stevenson , Mericko Patricia , Lee Michelle , Yang Ying , Scallan Joshua P. , Kahn Mark L.
Published: February 2022

During formation of the mammalian placenta trophoblasts invade the maternal decidua and remodel spiral arteries to bring maternal blood into the placenta. This process, known as endovascular invasion, is thought to involve the adoption of functional characteristics of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) by trophoblasts through a process termed vascular mimicry. The genetic and molecular basis of vascular mimicry remains poorly defined, however, and whether trophoblasts utilize specialized endothelial proteins in an analogous manner to create vascular channels remains untested. Vascular endothelial (VE-)cadherin is a homotypic adhesion protein that is expressed selectively by ECs in which it enables formation of tight vessels and regulation of EC junctions. VE-cadherin is also expressed in invasive trophoblasts and is a prime candidate for a molecular mechanism of vascular mimicry by those cells. Here, we show that the VE-cadherin is required for trophoblast migration and endovascular invasion into the maternal decidua in the mouse. VE-cadherin deficiency results in loss of spiral artery remodeling that leads to decreased flow of maternal blood into the placenta, fetal growth restriction, and death. These studies identify a non-endothelial role for VE-cadherin in trophoblasts during placental development and suggest that endothelial proteins may play functionally unique roles in trophoblasts that do not simply mimic those in ECs.
Neural Representations of Self-Generated Thought during Think-aloud fMRI
Authors: Li Hui-Xian , Lu Bin , Wang Yu-Wei , Li Xue-Ying , Chen Xiao , Yan Chao-Gan
Published: February 2022

Is the brain at rest during the so-called resting-state? Ongoing experiences in the resting-state vary in unobserved and uncontrolled ways across time, individuals, and populations. However, the role of self-generated thoughts in resting-state fMRI remains largely unexplored. In this study, we collected real-time self-generated thoughts during “resting-state” fMRI scans via the think-aloud method (i.e., think-aloud fMRI), which required participants to report whatever they were currently thinking. We first investigated brain activation patterns during a think-aloud condition and found that significantly activated brain areas included all brain regions required for speech. We then calculated the relationship between divergence in thought content and brain activation during think-aloud and found that divergence in thought content was associated with many brain regions. Finally, we explored the neural representation of self-generated thoughts by performing representational similarity analysis (RSA) at three neural scales: a voxel-wise whole-brain searchlight level; a region-level whole-brain analysis using the Schaefer 400-parcels; at the systems level using the Yeo seven-networks. We found that “resting-state” self-generated thoughts were distributed across a wide range of brain regions, involving all seven Yeo networks. This study highlights the value of considering ongoing experiences during resting-state fMRI, as well as providing preliminary methodological support for think-aloud fMRI.
Prolactin-induced AMPK stabilizes alveologenesis and lactogenesis through regulation of STAT5 signaling
Authors: Jinagal Shyam Lal , Shekhar Pragati , Chandra Kailash , Mutnuru Srinivas Abhishek , Ramanan Narendrakumar , Foretz Marc , Viollet Benoit , Bhat Ramray , Rangarajan Annapoorni
Published: February 2022

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that regulates energy homeostasis at cellular and organismal levels. It has been shown to affect several steps of breast cancer progression in a context-dependent manner. However, its role in normal mammary gland development and physiology remains ill-explored. Here, we show that AMPK expression and activity increased within murine mammary epithelia from puberty to pregnancy with highest levels during lactation, and then declined during involution. In ex vivo cultures of mammary epithelial cells (MECs) in organotypic scaffolds, treatment with lactogenic hormone prolactin (PRL) enhanced AMPK expression and activity. To understand the role of AMPK on mammary morphogenesis in vivo, we generated mice with conditional knockout of AMPKα isoforms α1 and α2 (AMPKα KO) in MECs. AMPKα KO mammary glands showed accelerated alveolar development with increased epithelial content of both luminal and myoepithelial lineages, suggestive of hyperproliferation. AMPKα KO mice also showed elevated beta-casein expression during pregnancy and lactation. These observations were phenocopied upon treatment of ex vivo cultivated wild-type MECs with a cognate AMPK inhibitor. AMPKα null MECs showed increased phosphorylated STAT5 which is known to drive alveologenesis downstream of prolactin signaling. Our study identifies a novel interplay between AMPK and PRL-STAT5 signaling that determines mammary alveologenesis and differentiation.
The BASP1 transcriptional repressor modifies chromatin through lipid-dependent and lipid-independent mechanisms
Authors: Moorhouse Alexander J. , Loats Amy E. , Medler Kathryn F , Roberts Stefan G. E.
Published: February 2022

The transcriptional corepressor BASP1 requires N-terminal myristoylation for its activity and functions through interactions with nuclear lipids. Here we determine the role of BASP1 lipidation in histone modification and the modulation of chromatin accessibility. We find that the removal of the active histone modifications H3K9ac and H3K4me3 by BASP1 requires the N-terminal myristoylation of BASP1. In contrast, the placement of the repressive histone modification, H3K27me3, by BASP1 does require BASP1 lipidation. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analysis finds that BASP1 regulates the activity of multiple transcription factors and induces extensive changes in chromatin accessibility. We find that ∼50% of BASP1 target genes show lipidation-dependent chromatin compaction and transcriptional repression. Our results suggest that BASP1 elicits both lipid-dependent and lipid-independent functions in histone modification and transcriptional repression. In accordance with this, we find that the tumor suppressor activity of BASP1 is also partially dependent on its myristoylation.
Versatile patterns in the actin cortex of motile cells: Self-organized pulses can coexist with macropinocytic ring-shaped waves
Authors: Yochelis Arik , Flemming Sven , Beta Carsten
Published: February 2022

Self-organized patterns in the actin cytoskeleton are essential for eukaryotic cellular life. They are the building blocks of many functional structures that often operate simultaneously to facilitate, for example, nutrient uptake and movement of cells. However, to identify how qualitatively distinct actin patterns can coexist remains a challenge. Here, we use bifurcation theory to reveal a generic mechanism of pattern coexistence, showing that different types of wave patterns can simultaneously emerge in the actin system. Our theoretical analysis is complemented by live-cell imaging experiments revealing that narrow, planar, and fast-moving excitable pulses may indeed coexist with ring-shaped macropinocytic actin waves in the cortex of motile amoeboid cells.
Endometriotic Organoids: A Novel In Vitro Model of Endometriotic Lesion Development
Authors: Song Yong , Burns Gregory W. , Joshi Niraj R. , Arora Ripla , Kim J. Julie , Fazleabas Asgerally T.
Published: February 2022

The development and progression of endometriotic lesions are poorly understood, but immune cell dysfunction and inflammation are closely associated with the pathophysiology of endometriosis. A lack of suitable 3D in vitro models permitting the study of interactions between cell types and the microenvironment is a contributing factor. To address this limitation, we developed endometriotic organoids (EO) to explore the role of epithelial-stromal interactions and model peritoneal cell invasion associated with lesion development. Using a non-adherent microwell culture system, spherical organoids were generated with endometriotic epithelial cells (12Z) combined with immortalized endometriotic stromal cells (iEc-ESC) or immortalized uterine stromal cells (iHUF). Organoids self-organized with stromal cells occupying the center and epithelial cells on the periphery of the organoid. Endometriotic organoids (EO), containing iEc-ESC, resulted in the development of stratified 12Z epithelial cells compared to those with iHUF where the 12Z cells developed as a single layered epithelium. Transcriptomic analysis found 4,522 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between EO and 12Z/iHUF organoids, and the top DEG included increased expression of interleukins and prostaglandin synthase enzymes. An overlap of the EO DEG with baboon endometriotic lesions was highly significant. Finally, to mimic invasion of endometrial tissue into the peritoneum, a model was developed using EO and extracellular matrix containing human peritoneal mesothelial cells (LP9). Invasion of EO into the extracellular matrix-LP9 layer was increased in presence of estrogen or THP1-derived proinflammatory macrophages. Taken together, our results strongly support the concept that EO are an appropriate model for dissecting mechanisms that contribute to endometriotic lesion development.

One Sentence Summary

Endometriotic organoids are an appropriate model to study epithelial-stromal interactions and model cell invasion associated with lesion development.
SARS-CoV-2 variants show a gradual declining pathogenicity and pro-inflammatory cytokine spur, an increasing antigenic and antiinflammatory cytokine induction, and rising structural protein instability
Authors: Barh Debmalya , Tiwari Sandeep , Gomes Lucas Gabriel Rodrigues , Pinto Cecília Horta Ramalho , Andrade Bruno Silva , Ahmad Shaban , Aljabali Alaa A. A. , Alzahrani Khalid J. , Banjer Hamsa Jameel , Hassan Sk. Sarif , Tambuwala Murtaza , Redwan Elrashdy M. , Raza Khalid , Azevedo Vasco , Lundstrom Kenneth , Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: February 2022

Hyper-transmissibility with decreased disease severity are typical characteristics of Omicron variant. To understand this phenomenon, we used various bioinformatics approaches to analyze randomly selected genome sequences (one each) of the Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants submitted to NCBI from 15 to 31 December 2021. We show that: (i) Pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variants decreases in the order: Wuhan > Gamma > Delta > Omicron; however, the antigenic property follows the order: Omicron > Gamma > Wuhan > Delta. (ii) Omicron Spike RBD has lower pathogenicity but higher antigenicity than other variants. (iii) Decreased disease severity by Omicron variant may be due to its decreased pro-inflammatory and IL-6 stimulation and increased IFN-γ and IL-4 induction efficacy. (iv) Mutations in N protein are associated with decreased IL-6 induction and human DDX21-mediated increased IL-4 production in Omicron. (v) Due to mutations, the stability of S, M, N, and E proteins decreases in the order: Omicron > Gamma > Delta > Wuhan. (vi) Stronger Spike RBD-hACE2 binding in Omicron is associated with increased transmissibility. However, the lowest stability of the Omicron Spike protein makes Spike RBD-hACE2 interaction weak for systemic infection and for causing severe disease. Finally (vii), the highest instability of Omicron E protein may also be associated with decreased viral maturation and low viral load leading to less severe disease and faster recovery. Our method may be used for other similar viruses, and these findings will contribute to the understanding of the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the management of emerging variants.
Septins mediate a microtubule-actin crosstalk that enables actin growth on microtubules
Authors: Nakos Konstantinos , Radler Megan R. , Kesisova Ilona A. , Tomasso Meagan R. , Padrick Shae B. , Spiliotis Elias T.
Published: February 2022

Cellular morphogenesis and processes such as cell division and migration require the coordination of the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons (1, 2). Microtubule-actin crosstalk is poorly understood and largely regarded as the capture and regulation of microtubules by actin (1, 2). Septins are filamentous GTP-binding proteins, which comprise the fourth component of the cytoskeleton along microtubules, actin and intermediate filaments (3, 4). Here, we report that septins mediate microtubule-actin crosstalk by coupling actin polymerization to microtubule lattices. Super-resolution imaging shows that septins localize to overlapping microtubules and actin filaments in the growth cones of neurons and non-neuronal cells. We show that recombinant septin complexes directly crosslink microtubules and actin filaments into hybrid bundles. In vitro reconstitution assays reveal that microtubule-bound septins capture and align stable actin filaments with microtubules. Strikingly, septins enable the capture and polymerization of growing actin filaments on microtubule lattices. In neuronal growth cones, septins are required for the maintenance of the peripheral actin network that fans out from microtubules. These findings provide the first evidence of septins directly mediating microtubule interactions with actin filaments, and reveal a new mechanism of microtubule-templated actin growth with broader significance for the self-organization of the cytoskeleton and cellular morphogenesis.

Significance Statement

Cellular morphogenesis and processes such as cell division and cell migration require the coordination of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Despite its broader physiological significance, actin-microtubule crosstalk is molecularly and mechanistically poorly understood. Actin-microtubule crosstalk has been viewed primarily as the regulation or guidance of microtubule dynamics by actin filaments. Here, we have discovered a new mechanism by which actin filament growth is guided by microtubules. We report that septins, a poorly understood component of the cytoskeleton, can capture and link the polymerizing ends of actin filaments to microtubule polymers. We present evidence that this new septin-mediated mechanism is critical for the morphology of growth cones, which are structures that direct the growth of neuronal axons through actin-microtubule crosstalk.
Improved fluorescent proteins for dual-color post-embedding CLEM
Authors: Peng Dingming , Li Na , He Wenting , Drasbek Kim Ryun , Xu Tao , Zhang Mingshu , Xu Pingyong
Published: February 2022

Post-embedding correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) has the advantage of high-precision registration and enables light and electron microscopy imaging of the same slice. However, its broad application has been hampered by the limited available fluorescent proteins (FPs) and low signal-to-background ratio (SBR). Here, we developed a green photoswitchable FP, mEosEM-E with substantially high on/off contrast in EM samples embedded in Epon resin which maximally preserves cellular structures but quenches the fluorescence of FPs. Taking advantage of the photoswitching property of mEosEM-E, the autofluorescence background from the resin was significantly reduced by a subtraction-based CLEM (sCLEM) method. Meanwhile, we identified a red fluorescent protein (RFP) mScharlet-H that exhibited higher brightness and SBR in resin than previously reported RFPs. With mEosEM-E and mScharlet-H, dual-color post-Epon-embedding CLEM images with high SBR and no cross-talk signal were successfully performed to reveal the organization of nucleolar proteins. Moreover, a dissection of the influences of different EM sample preparation steps on the fluorescence preservation for several RFPs provides useful guidance for further probe development.
Intelligent assembly assistance for hull structure construction based on optical projection
Authors: Zhu Yu , Yang Jun , Zhang Hongwei , Zhu Wenmin , Wang Jie , Zhou Zelin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Marking and inspecting are key steps in hull structure construction. However, currently most marking and inspecting operations are still carried out manually, which leads to low assembly efficiency and quality. This paper aims to solve these problems through the application of digital technology: the optical projection and machine vision.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the assembly process model of hull construction is established in 3D design environment. Second, the process information is presented to workers in a virtual form through optical projector, which provides accurate guidance for the manual operation. On this basis, the workers can complete welding and assembly operations readily. Finally, the machine vision method is used to check the assembly results, which can decrease the subjective errors.

Findings

A rapid and accurate assembly positioning for hull structure construction is realized based on optical projection, which can avoid the pollution caused by the marking machine and the error caused by human.

Originality/value

This paper combines the advantages of optical projection and machine vision to the field of shipbuilding. The shortcomings of the traditional marking and inspection methods is effectively solved, which may provide a new way for enhancing the assembly efficiency and quality.
QCA with reversible arithmetic and logic unit for nanoelectronics applications
Authors: Latha Gade Mary Swarna , Rooban S.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In this research work, brief quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) concepts are discussed through arithmetic and logic units. This work is most useful for nanoelectronic applications, VLSI industry mainly depends on this type of fault-tolerant QCA based arithmetic logic unit (ALU) design. The ALU design is mainly depending on set instructions and rules; these are maintained through low-power ultra-functional tricks only possible with QCA-based reversible arithmetic and logic unit for nanoelectronics. The main objective of this investigation is to design an ultra-low power and ultra-high-speed ALU design with QCA technology. The following QCA method has been implemented through reversible logic.

Design/methodology/approach

QCA logic is the main and critical condition for realizing NANO-scale design that delivers considerably fast integrate module, effective performable computation and is less energy efficiency at the nano-scale (QCA). Processors need an ALU in order to process and calculate data. Fault-resistant ALU in QCA technology utilizing reverse logic is the primary objective of this study. There are now two sections, i.e. reversible ALU (RAU), logical (LAU) and arithmetical (RAU).

Findings

A reversible 2 × 1 multiplexer based on the Fredkin gate (FRG) was developed to allow users to choose between arithmetic and logical operations. QCA full adders are also implemented to improve arithmetic operations' performance. The ALU is built using reversible logic gates that are fault-tolerant.

Originality/value

In contrast to earlier research, the suggested reversible multilayered ALU with reversible QCA operation is imported. The 8- and 16-bit ALU, as well as logical unit functioning, is designed through fewer gates, constant inputs and outputs. This implementation is designed on the Mentor Graphics QCA tool and verifies all functionalities.
Private healthcare entrepreneurship in a free-access public health system: what was the impact of COVID-19 public policies in Greece?
Authors: Apostolopoulos Nikolaos , Liargovas Panagiotis , Sklias Pantelis , Makris Ilias , Apostolopoulos Sotiris
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether private healthcare entrepreneurship can flourish and overcome obstacles in cases of a free-access public health system and periods of strict public policies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the paper aims to illuminate the wider social role of private healthcare entrepreneurship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative methodological strategy through 12 in-depth semi-structured interviews with the owners of diagnostic centres located in small Greek towns.

Findings

Private healthcare entrepreneurship flourished and played a significantly positive social role in the context of a degraded public health sector, which lacked investments for more than ten years and was further depleted by its recent focus on COVID-19 incidents. This paper reveals that although public policies that aimed to deal with COVID-19 produced serious consequences, business activity adapted to the new circumstances.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can combine the findings of this paper with the views of stakeholders, policymakers and social actors.

Originality/value

This paper's value lies in its efforts to expand our current knowledge regarding the impact of COVID-19 public policies on entrepreneurship.
Can a 280-character message explain stock returns? Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Nyakurukwa Kingstone , Seetharam Yudhvir
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The authors examine the contemporaneous and causal association between tweet features (bullishness, message volume and investor agreement) and market features (stock returns, trading volume and volatility) using 140 South African companies and a dataset of firm-level Twitter messages extracted from Bloomberg for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel regressions with ticker fixed-effects are used to examine the contemporaneous link between tweet features and market features. To examine the link between the magnitude of tweet features and stock market features, the study uses quantile regression.

Findings

No monotonic relationship is found between the magnitude of tweet features and the magnitude of market features. The authors find no evidence that past values of tweet features can predict forthcoming stock returns using daily data while weekly and monthly data shows that past values of tweet features contain useful information that can predict the future values of stock returns.

Originality/value

The study is among the earlier to examine the association between textual sentiment from social media and market features in a South African context. The exploration of the relationship across the distribution of the stock market features gives new insights away from the traditional approaches which investigate the relationship at the mean.
Temporal and spatial heterogeneity of semi‐natural habitat, but not crop diversity, is correlated with landscape pollinator richness
Authors: Martínez‐Núñez Carlos , Kleijn David , Ganuza Cristina , Heupink Dennis , Raemakers Ivo , Vertommen Winfried , Fijen Thijs P. M.
Published: February 2022

Enhancing the diversity of mass‐flowering crops (i.e. crop diversity) in agricultural landscapes is often proposed as a measure to favour pollinators and pollination, but it is uncertain whether crop diversity enhances pollinator richness on the wide landscape level.

Here, we surveyed pollinator communities in semi‐natural habitats and mass‐flowering crops throughout the whole growing season in 26 agricultural landscapes to examine how the temporal and spatial heterogeneity in semi‐natural habitats and crop diversity support pollinator species richness.

Crop diversity was unrelated to pollinator richness in the wider landscape, and temporal and spatial heterogeneity in semi‐natural habitats were equally important in determining pollinator richness. Surprisingly, the crop pollinator species pool size was a fixed proportion of the landscape pollinator species pool along a 0%–72% semi‐natural habitat cover gradient.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that increasing crop diversity alone does not contribute to maintaining diverse wild pollinator communities in agricultural landscapes and emphasize the key role of temporally stable habitats such as semi‐natural habitats to maintain rich pollinator communities.
Circular–linear copulae for animal movement data
Authors: Hodel Florian H. , Fieberg John R.
Published: February 2022

Animal movement is often modelled in discrete time, formulated in terms of steps taken between successive locations at regular time intervals. Steps are characterized by the distance between successive locations (step lengths) and changes in direction (turn angles). Animals commonly exhibit a mix of directed movements with large step lengths and turn angles near 0 when travelling between habitat patches and more wandering movements with small step lengths and uniform turn angles when foraging. Thus, step lengths and turn angles will typically be cross‐correlated.

Most models of animal movement assume that step lengths and turn angles are independent, likely due to a lack of available alternatives. Here, we show how the method of copulae can be used to fit multivariate distributions that allow for correlated step lengths and turn angles.

We describe several newly developed copulae appropriate for modelling animal movement data and fit these distributions to data collected on fishers (Pekania pennanti). The copulae are able to capture the inherent correlation in the data and provide a better fit than a model that assumes independence. Further, we demonstrate via simulation that this correlation can impact movement patterns (e.g. rates of dispersion overtime).

We see many opportunities to extend this framework (e.g. to consider autocorrelation in step attributes) and to integrate it into existing frameworks for modelling animal movement and habitat selection. For example, copulae could be used to more accurately sample available locations when conducting habitat‐selection analyses.
Opportune management of a patient with a macrodont and supernumerary tooth
Authors: Low CYS , Ong DC‐V , Freer E
Published: February 2022

Macrodontia is a relatively uncommon dental anomaly and has often been reported to occur in association with other dental anomalies. Significant orthodontic and restorative challenges may arise in the management of patients with macrodont teeth. This case report demonstrates the opportune and carefully considered management of a patient presenting with both a macrodont and a supernumerary incisor tooth.
Clinical valuation of ST changes in a group of patients with ventricular arrhythmias: The inSighT Study
Authors: Wranicz Jerzy Krzysztof , Kałowski Michał , Bastian Dirk , Jaswal Aparna , Kolb Christof , Zitron Edgar , Cygankiewicz Iwona , Kaczmarek Krzysztof
Published: February 2022

Background

The inSighT study was designed to determine the prevalence of ischemic changes as recorded by implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) ST deviations in intracardiac electrocardiograms (EGM) over the 24 h preceding malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VT/VF).

Methods

The study enrolled patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) or high risk of future development of CAD implanted with an ICD equipped with an ST monitoring feature (Ellipse™/Fortify Assura™, St. Jude Medical). Device session records were collected at each in‐clinic follow‐up. EGM ST levels of the beats over the 15 minutes prior to VT/VF events were compared using a t test with those from a baseline period of 23–24 h prior to the VT/VF event. All events with p < .05 were visually inspected to confirm they were evaluable; additional criteria for exclusion from further analysis included inappropriate therapy, aberrant conduction, and occurrence of VT/VF within 24h prior to the current event.

Results

The study enrolled 481 ICD patients (64 ± 11 years, 83% male) in 14 countries and followed them for 15±5 months. A total of 165 confirmed VT/VF episodes were observed, of which 71 events (in 56 patients, 34% of all patients with VT/VF) were preceded by significant (p < .05) ST‐segment changes unrelated to known non‐ischemic causes. None of the analyzed demographic and clinical factors proved to be associated with greater odds of presenting with ST‐segment changes prior to VT/VF episode.

Conclusion

In this exploratory study, characteristic ST‐segment changes, likely representative of ischemic events, were observed in 34% of all patients with VT/VF episodes.
Risk factors for and management of morbidity in pure laparoscopic resection of the right posterosuperior segments of the liver: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Shinkawa Hiroji , Hirokawa Fumitoshi , Kaibori Masaki , Nomi Takeo , Ueno Masaki , Ikoma Hisashi , Nakai Takuya , Iida Hiroya , Tanaka Shogo , Komeda Koji , Kosaka Hisashi , Hokuto Daisuke , Hayami Shinya , Morimura Ryo , Matsumoto Masataka , Maehira Hiromitsu , Takemura Shigekazu , Kubo Shoji
Published: February 2022

Background

This study aimed to determine the risk factors for severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing pure laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for tumors in the right posterosuperior (PS) segments.

Methods

The study included 289 patients who underwent parenchyma‐sparing pure LLR for tumors in the right PS segments at eight treatment centers between January 2009 and December 2019.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed tumor size ≥3 cm (P = .016), segmentectomy (P = .044), and liver cirrhosis (P = .029) as independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications. The severe complication rates (2.7% vs 12.1%, P = .0025), median intraoperative blood loss (100 mL vs 150 mL, P = .001), and median operation time (248 minutes vs 299.5 minutes, P = .0013) were lower in the patients without all these three risk factors than those with at least one risk factor. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in patients with no risk factors than those with at least one risk factor (9 days vs. 10 days, P = .001).

Conclusions

Tumor size ≥3 cm, segmentectomy, and liver cirrhosis were the risk factors for severe postoperative complications after parenchyma‐sparing pure LLR for tumors in the right PS segments. Patients without these three risk factors would be appropriate candidates for safely performing parenchyma‐sparing pure LLR in the right PS segments at the outset.
A Recent Survey of GHG Emissions Reporting and Assurance
Authors: Ryan Judy , Tiller Demi
Published: February 2022

This paper describes research undertaken to understand current market practice in relation to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reporting in New Zealand. Our research sampled 237 large New Zealand entities. The results show that 31% of entities were doing some form of voluntary GHG emission reporting. Of the entities reporting GHG emissions, 73% were reporting some Scope 3 emissions. The majority (51%) do not appear to get assurance for their GHG emissions reports. This is a useful benchmark to assess the level and development of GHG emissions reporting in the future. It indicates the approach reporting entities should take if future regulations and standards follow the current market practice.
Some Thoughts on Disturbances in the Formation and Retention of Imagos
Authors: Vivian Lorraine
Published: February 2022

I explore an aspect in the development of the psyche which takes place within the infant−mother relationship during the phase of transitional phenomena (Winnicott, 1953), namely the creation of a primary imago. I draw on the Robertson film Young Children in Brief Separation (1969) to illustrate the fading of a toddler's primary imago in response to the trauma of maternal separation. I describe work with patients where maternal separation appears to have disturbed the formation and retention of the primary imago along with the capacity to develop secondary ones. We know psychotherapy can re‐start ‘maturational processes’ that became ‘dammed up because of a failure of the facilitating environment’ (Winnicott, 1965). I suggest psychotherapy can rekindle the capacity to create and retain imagos allowing for greater self‐regulation and a ‘capacity to be alone’ considered ‘one of the most important signs of maturity in emotional development’ (Winnicott, 1958).
Pre‐synaptic and post‐synaptic A‐type K+ channels regulate glutamatergic transmission and switching of the network into epileptiform oscillations
Authors: Wang Guan‐Hsun , Chuang Ai‐Yu , Lai Yi‐Chen , Chen Hsin‐I , Hsueh Shu‐Wei , Yang Ya‐Chin
Published: February 2022

Background and Purpose

Anticonvulsants targeting K+ channels have not been clinically available, although neuronal hyperexcitability in seizures could be suppressed by activation of K+ channels. Voltage‐gated A‐type K+ channel (A‐channel) inhibitors may be prescribed for diseases of neuromuscular junction but could cause seizures. Consistently, genetic loss of function of A‐channels may also cause seizures. It is unclear why inhibition of A‐channels, compared with other types of K+ channels, is particularly prone to seizure induction. This hinders the development of relevant therapeutic interventions.

Experimental Approach

Mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis with A‐channel inhibition and antiepileptic actions of A‐channel activation were investigated with electrophysiological, pharmacological, optogenetic, and behavioral approaches.

Key Results

Pre‐synaptic KV1.4 and post‐synaptic KV4.3 A‐channels act synergistically to gate glutamatergic transmission and control rhythmogenesis in the amygdala. The interconnected neurons set into the oscillatory mode by A‐channel inhibition would reverberate with regular paces and the same top frequency, demonstrating a spatio‐temporally well‐orchestrated system with built‐in oscillatory rhythms normally curbed by A‐channels. Accordingly, selective over‐excitation of glutamatergic neurons or inhibition of A‐channels can induce behavioural seizures, which may be ameliorated by A‐channel activators (e.g. NS‐5806) or AMPA receptor antagonists (e.g. perampanel).

Conclusion and Implications

Trans‐synaptic voltage‐dependent A‐channels serve as a biophysical‐biochemical transducer responsible for a novel form of synaptic plasticity. Such a network‐level switch into and out of the oscillatory mode may underlie a wide scope of telencephalic information processing or, at its extreme, epileptic seizures. A‐channels thus constitute a potential target of antiepileptic therapy.
Meta‐analysis of the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for treating large benign thyroid nodules
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Sun Wei , Lv Chengzhou , Huang Jiapeng , Zhang Hao
Published: February 2022

Objective

Many large benign thyroid nodules have symptoms and cosmetic problems. This study consisted of a meta‐analysis to accurately assess the effect of thermal ablation on these nodules.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically searched for retrospective or prospective studies of thermal ablation since June 1, 2021. The weighted mean differences of the measures were analysed before and after treatment.

Results

A total of 10 eligible studies were included. By comparing the initial nodule volume with the nodular volume after thermal ablation, we found that the volume reduction rate was increased significantly after 1 month (SMD = 0.453, 95% CI: 0.323–0.583, p < .001), 3 months (SMD = 0.655, 95% CI: 0.563–0.747, p < .001), 6 months (SMD = 0.691, 95% CI: 0.607–0.774, p < .001), and 12 months (SMD = 0.694, 95% CI: 0.583–0.803), p < .001). The nodular volume was also found to decrease significantly, after 1 month (SMD = 2.381, 95% CI: 1.278–3.485, p < .001), 3 months (SMD = 5.071, 95% CI: 2.386–7.756, p < .001), 6 months (SMD = 5.363, 95% CI: 2.765–7.962, p < .001), and 12 months (SMD = 8.194, 95% CI: 2.113–14.274), p < .001). Symptom score (SMD = 4.419, 95% CI: 2.573–6.265, p < .001)and cosmetic score (SMD = 4.245, 95% CI: 2.566–5.359, p < .001) were reduced after thermal ablation.

Conclusions

Thermal ablation could become an alternative to manage large benign thyroid nodules.
A fusion of variants of sentence scoring methods and collaborative word rankings for document summarization
Authors: Verma Pradeepika , Verma Anshul , Pal Sukomal
Published: February 2022

Document summarization is an important task in natural language processing that helps deal with the problem of information overload occurring due to the existence of redundant content. Summary generation with highly relevant contents and maximum coverage is particularly challenging which can only be achieved when redundancy is minimized. This article introduces a novel approach for automatic text summarization based on sentence scoring and collaborative ranking to produce summaries with minimal redundancy and improved overall performance of summarization. The proposed model is a fusion of weighted and unweighted features‐based sentence scoring methods. To learn optimal weights of text features, it has been modelled as an optimization problem. Moreover, the proposed model exploits the strength of collaborative ranking to generate the summary of a given document. Three similarity factors (proximity, significance and singularity)‐based models have been employed to find the similarity between weighted and unweighted sentence scores. The results of the comparison experiment demonstrate that the proposed (PS + Jac) method generates a closer summary to the reference summary with minimal redundant contents. On average, the proposed (PS + Jac) method generates the summaries with 61% accurate contents with greater improved rates up to 40%. The statistical testing also confirms that the performance improvement is significant at a 5% level of significance.
Alcohol consumption and risk of Alzheimer's disease: A dose–response meta‐analysis
Authors: Xie Chunxiang , Feng Yuhua
Published: February 2022

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched as of 1 September 2019. Relative risk and 95% CI were used to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and AD risk. Subgroup analyses based on the type of alcohol, ethnicity, study design and sex were carried out. An alcohol dose–response meta‐analysis was carried out.

Results

A total of 13 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis, and six were used in the dose–response meta‐analysis. Compared with non‐drinkers, individuals who drank had a lower risk of AD (relative risk 0.68, 95% CI 0.53–0.87; I2 = 87.9%, P < 0.001). In subgroup analyses, drinking wine was found to reduce the occurrence of AD (relative risk 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.96). When stratified by ethnicity, sex and study design, no association was seen between AD risk and alcohol use. There was an overall non‐linear, but not significant, association between alcohol intake dose and AD risk. A significant non‐linear association was observed between excess AD risk and alcohol intake dose in men (overall P = 0.023; P for non‐linearity = 0.025) starting from 14.8 drinks per week. Women's alcohol intake dose <16.9 drinks per week showed a significant non‐linear association with decreased AD risk (overall P = 0.002; P for non‐linearity = 0.019).

Conclusions

Drinking alcohol could reduce the risk of AD. Alcohol dose had a non‐linear, but non‐significant, relationship with the development of AD. The amount of alcohol consumption showed significant sex‐specific effects on AD. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 278–285.
Aquifer Characterization Using Fiber Bragg Grating Multi‐Level Monitoring System
Authors: Wang Yu‐Li , Chang Liang‐Cheng , Liu Fei , Ho Yen‐Te , Wang Tzu Bin , Yeh Tian‐Chyi Jim , Tsai Jui‐Pin
Published: February 2022

Groundwater responses measured from multiple wells at different depths are essential for delineating the aquifer heterogeneity using hydraulic tomography (HT). In general, conducting HT requires many wells because traditional well monitoring is usually partially open at a specific depth interval or is fully penetrating. Accordingly, conducting an HT survey is typically costly and time‐consuming. To tackle these issues, a new multi‐level monitoring system (MLMS) for the HT survey was developed using the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technique. This FBG MLMS could collect the depth‐discrete groundwater observations from a fully penetrated 2‐inch well. Three field campaigns were conducted to validate the capability of the FBG MLMS for HT surveys. The results show that the accuracy and stability of this MLMS are reliable and that FBG MLMS is beneficial for conducting an HT survey. Specifically, compared to the traditional monitoring well in an injection event, this FBG MLMS can concurrently cause an increase in the number of cross‐hole tests several times and collect many more head observations than the standard methods, resulting in the observed flow fields efficiently reaching ergodic conditions and effectively improving the accuracy of the estimated hydraulic heterogeneity. Therefore, the FBG MLMS could be an alternative MLMS for efficiently and economically conducting an HT survey.