bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase separation in plants: New insights into cellular compartmentalization
Authors: Xu Xiumei , Zheng Canhui , Lu Dandan , Song Chun‐Peng , Zhang Lixin
Published: July 2021

A fundamental challenge for cells is how to coordinate various biochemical reactions in space and time. To achieve spatiotemporal control, cells have developed organelles that are surrounded by lipid bilayer membranes. Further, membraneless compartmentalization, a process induced by dynamic physical association of biomolecules through phase transition offers another efficient mechanism for intracellular organization. While our understanding of phase separation was predominantly dependent on yeast and animal models, recent findings have provided compelling evidence for emerging roles of phase separation in plants. In this review, we first provide an overview of the current knowledge of phase separation, including its definition, biophysical principles, molecular features and regulatory mechanisms. Then we summarize plant‐specific phase separation phenomena and describe their functions in plant biological processes in great detail. Moreover, we propose that phase separation is an evolutionarily conserved and efficient mechanism for cellular compartmentalization which allows for distinct metabolic processes and signaling pathways, and is especially beneficial for the sessile lifestyle of plants to quickly and efficiently respond to the changing environment.
Cuerpos de cobre: Extractivismo en Chuquicamata, Chile
Authors: Weinberg Marina
Published: July 2021

¿Qué extraen y qué producen los extractivismos? El presente artículo intenta responder a esta pregunta analizando críticamente, la relación entre cuerpos, trabajo y mi‐nería principalmente bajo el modelo neoliberal chileno, en la mina estatal de cobre a tajo abierto más grande del planeta: Chuquicamata. Considero una aproximación biopolítica para entender dicha relación a partir del concepto “cuerpos de cobre”, que indaga cómo las subjetividades mineras se articulan en y desde las esferas más íntimas de quienes producen el ‘salario de Chile’. Además, inspirada en desarrollos de la ecología política, conecto esta biopolítica con la idea de “modos de apropiación”. Así, intentando enriquecer debates sobre extractivismos en América Latina a través de la consideración de la perspectiva dócil, pero también, potencialmente liberadora, de los trabajadores implicados, propongo que los cuerpos de cobre –en tanto fuerzas productivas– son una pieza fundamental para comprender el modo extractivista cuprífero de apropiación.
Estimating the transmissibility of hepatitis C: A modelling study in Yichang City, China
Authors: Wang Yao , Zhao Zeyu , Zhang Hao , Lin Qin , Wang Ning , Ngwanguong Hannah Mikah , Rui Jia , Yang Tianlong , Li Peihua , Mao Siying , Lin Shengnan , Liu Xingchun , Zhu Yuanzhao , Xu Jingwen , Yang Meng , Luo Li , Liu Chan , Li Zhuoyang , Deng Bin , Huang Jiefeng , Liu Weikang , Zhao Benhua , Su Yanhua , Chen Tianmu
Published: July 2021

Yichang is a city in central China in the Hubei Province. This study aimed to estimate the dynamics of the transmissibility of hepatitis C using a mathematical model and predict the transmissibility of hepatitis C in 2030. Data of hepatitis C cases from 13 counties or districts (cities) in Yichang from 2008 to 2016 were collected. A susceptible‐infectious‐chronic‐recovered (SICR) model was developed to fit the data. The transmissibility of hepatitis C at the counties or districts was calculated based on new infections (including infected or chronically infected cases) reported monthly in the city caused by one infectious individual (MNI). The trend of theMNIwas fitted and predicted using 11 models, with the coefficient of determination (R2) was being used to test the goodness of fit of these models. A total of 3065 cases of hepatitis C were reported in Yichang from 2008 to 2016. The medianMNIof Yichang was 0.0768. According to the fitting results and analysis, the trend of transmissibility of hepatitis C in Yichang City conforms with the logarithmic (R2 = 0.918,p < 0.001):MNI = 0.265−0.108 log(t) and exponential (R2 = 0.939,p < 0.001):MNI = 0.344e(−0.278t)models. Hence, the transmission of hepatitis C virus at the county level has a downward trend. In conclusion, the transmissibility of hepatitis C in Yichang has a downward trend. With the current preventive and control measures in place, the spread of hepatitis C can be controlled.
Do Voters Know Enough to Punish Out‐of‐Step Congressional Candidates?
Authors: Marshall Brandon , Peress Michael
Published: July 2021

Traditional democratic norms suggest that accountability requires voters to be able to accurately perceive the positions of candidates for office. When asked to place congressional candidates on an ideological spectrum, voters show a surprisingly high level of both inaccuracy and variation in the policy positions of candidates. In this article, we investigate three theories of candidate placement to determine the possible sources for voter inaccuracy of candidate positions: the assimilation and contrast theory, the partisan cheerleading theory, and the information theory. We develop an instrumental variables approach for distinguishing between the competing theories. We find some evidence for assimilation and contrast among low knowledge voters and little support for cheerleading. We also find evidence that the actual position of the candidate has a detectable but small effect on voters’ perceptions of that candidate, limiting the extent to which House candidates are held individually accountable for the positions they take. Instead, we find evidence that voters cue off of the positions of the party’s other candidates, suggesting that candidates for a political party are held collectively accountable.
Effectiveness of standard urotherapy (basic bladder advice) and combination therapies in managing bladder dysfunction in children with treated behavioral disorders: Results of a prospective cohort (DABBED) study
Authors: Eliezer Dilharan D. , Samnakay Naeem , Starkey Malcolm R. , Deshpande Aniruddh V.
Published: July 2021

Aims

We evaluated the efficacy of standard urotherapy and combination therapies in treatment of bladder dysfunction in children with treated behavioral disorders.

Methods

Prospective study of children (6‐16 years) with bladder dysfunction and behavioral disorders was conducted between March 2018‐2020. Eligible children were initially offered standard urotherapy and those with no response at 3 months were offered combination therapies. Symptomatic response, changes in Akbal score and PinQ score were reported at 6 months and outcomes were correlated to behavioral diagnoses and medications.

Results

Thirty‐nine consecutive children (male = 27, mean age [SD] 10.3 [±2.0] years) were recruited, of whom 29 completed the study (five lost to follow‐up, three non‐compliant to treatment, two excluded). Thirty‐four (87%) children had attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (n = 11) and non‐monosymptomatic enuresis (n = 17) were the commonest diagnoses. Following 3‐month review, 14 (38%) children continued to receive standard urotherapy, while 15 (41%) children were transitioned to combination therapy. At 6‐month review, complete/partial response was seen in 62% (23/37) and no response in 16% (6/37); with 32% (12/37) responding to standard urotherapy alone. Akbal symptom scores (15.9‐11.5; P < 0.01) and PinQ scores (26.0‐19.5; P = 0.008) improved significantly at 6‐month follow‐up. Type of underlying behavioral disorder(s) or medications for behavioral disorder did not influence the outcomes.

Conclusion

This study confirms that children with underlying behavioral disorders are able to have a good response to the appropriate therapy for their bladder dysfunction with a third of children responding to standard urotherapy alone.
Fungal community dynamics across a forest–alpine ecotone
Authors: Tonjer Lea‐Rebekka , Thoen Ella , Morgado Luis , Botnen Synnøve , Mundra Sunil , Nybakken Line , Bryn Anders , Kauserud Håvard
Published: July 2021

Climate change is causing upward shift of forest lines worldwide, with consequences for soil biota and carbon (C) sequestration. We here analyse compositional changes in the soil biota across the forest line ecotone, an important transition zone between different ecosystems. We collected soil samples along transects stretching from subalpine mountain birch forests to alpine heath. Soil fungi and micro‐eukaryotes were surveyed using DNA metabarcoding of the ITS2 and 18S markers, while ergosterol was used to quantify fungal biomass. We observed a strong shift in the soil biota across the forest line ecotone: Below the forest line, there were higher proportions of basidiomycetes and mucoromycetes, including ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi. Above it, we observed relatively more root‐associated ascomycetes, including Archaeorhizomycetes, ericoid mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate endophytes. Ergosterol and percentage C content in soil correlated strongly and positively with the abundance of root‐associated ascomycetes. The predominance of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi below the forest line probably promote high C turnover, while root‐associated ascomycetes above the forest line may enhance C sequestration. With further rise in forest lines, there will be a corresponding shift in the below‐ground biota, probably leading to enhanced release of soil C.
Peritoneal dialysis: Status report in South and South East Asia
Authors: Bhargava Vinant , Jasuja Sanjiv , Tang Sydney Chi‐Wai , Bhalla Anil K. , Sagar Gaurav , Jha Vivekanand , Ramachandran Raja , Sahay Manisha , Alexander Suceena , Vachharajani Tushar , Lydia Aida , Mostafi Mamun , Pisharam Jayakrishnan K. , Jacob Chakko , Gunawan Atma , Leong Goh Bak , Thwin Khin Thida , Agrawal Rajendra Kumar , Vareesangthip Kriengsak , Tanchanco Roberto , Choong Lina , Herath Chula , Lin Chih‐Ching , Akhtar Syed Fazal , Alsahow Ali , Rana Devender Singh , Rajapurkar Mohan M. , Kher Vijay , Verma Shalini , Krishnaswamy Sampathkumar , Gupta Amit , Bahl Anupam , Gupta Ashwani , Khanna Umesh B. , Varughese Santosh , Gallieni Maurizio
Published: July 2021

Background

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is largely underutilized globally. We analyzed PD utilization, impact of economic status, projected growth and impact of state policy(s) on PD growth in South Asia and Southeast Asia (SA&SEA) region.

Methods

The National Nephrology Societies of the region responded to a questionnaire on KRT practices. The responses were based on the latest registry data, acceptable community‐based studies and societal perceptions. The representative countries were divided into high income and higher‐middle income (HI & HMI) and low income and lower‐middle income (LI & LMI) groups.

Results

Data provided by 15 countries showed almost similar percentage of GDP as health expenditure (4%–7%). But there was a significant difference in per capita income (HI & HMI ‐US$ 28 129 vs. LI & LMI ‐ US$ 1710.2) between the groups. Even after having no significant difference in monthly cost of haemodialysis (HD) and PD in LI & LMI countries, they have poorer PD utilization as compared to HI & HMI countries (3.4% vs. 10.1%); the reason being lack of formal training/incentives and time constraints for the nephrologist while lack of reimbursement and poor general awareness of modalities has been a snag for the patients. The region expects ≥10% PD growth in the near future. Hong Kong and Thailand with ‘PD first’ policy have the highest PD utilization.

Conclusion

Important deterrents to PD underutilization were lack of PD centric policies, lackadaisical patient/physician's attitude, lack of structured patient awareness programs, formal training programs and affordability.
Social Media: A (new) contested terrain between sousveillance and surveillance in the digital workplace
Authors: Taylor Claire , Dobbins Tony
Published: July 2021

Online social media activities constitute a (new) contested terrain of NTWE in the new digital workplace. This article explores the extent to which new social media (SM) digital technologies extend managerial control and, alternatively, give employees dissenting capacity to reverse or turn the digital panoptical gaze back on their employer – invoking both a contested terrain and counter discipline of managerial authority. By deploying sousveillance, workers may use SM to observe management, capture material to post onlineand voice dissenting employee views. Such employee dissent problematises approaches to corporate surveillance practices and management authority, which attempts to intrusively control employee online activities. The article contributes to extant literature on sousveillance, employee dissent and management control. Methods comprise data gathered from 25 interviews with HR managers, frontline managers, and operational employees in seven organisations, triangulating contested perceptions of managerial surveillance practice and dissenting employee sousveillance.
Clumpy coexistence in phytoplankton: the role of functional similarity in community assembly
Authors: Graco‐Roza Caio , Segura Angel M. , Kruk Carla , Domingos Patrícia , Soininen Janne , Marinho Marcelo Manzi
Published: July 2021

Emergent neutrality (EN) suggests that species must be sufficiently similar or sufficiently different in their niches to avoid interspecific competition. Such a scenario results in a transient pattern with clumps and gaps of species abundance along the niche axis (e.g. represented by body size). From this perspective, clumps are groups of coexisting species with negligible fitness differences and stochastic abundance fluctuations. Plankton is an excellent model system for developing and testing ecological theories, especially those related to size structure and species coexistence. We tested EN predictions using the phytoplankton community along the course of a tropical river considering 1) body size structure, 2) functional clustering of species in terms of morphology‐based functional groups (MBFG) and 3) the functional similarity among species concerning their functional traits. Two main clumps in the body size axis (clump I and II) were conspicuous through time and were detected in different stretches of the river. Clump I comprised medium‐sized species from the MBFGs IV, V and VI while clump II included large‐bodied species from the MBFGs V and VI. Pairwise differences in species biovolume correlated with species functional similarity when the whole species pool was considered, but not among species within the same clump. Although clumps comprised multiple MBFGs, the dominant species within the clump belonged always to the same MBFG. Also, within‐clump species biovolume increased with functional distinctiveness considering both seasons and stretches, except the lower course. These results suggest that species within clumps behave in a quasi‐neutral state, but even minor shifts in trait composition may affect species biovolume. Our findings point that EN belongs to the plausible mechanisms explaining community assembly in river ecosystems.
Post‐translational modification of Streptococcus sanguinis SpxB influences protein solubility and H2O2 production
Authors: Mu Rong , Anderson David , Merritt Justin , Wu Hui , Kreth Jens
Published: July 2021

Streptococcal pyruvate oxidase (SpxB) is a hydrogen peroxide‐generating enzyme and plays a critical role in Streptococcus sanguinis interspecies interactions, but less is known about its biochemistry. We examined SpxB subcellular localization using protein fractionation and microscopy and found SpxB to be primarily cytoplasmic, but a small portion is also membrane associated. Potential post‐translational modifications of SpxB were determined using coimmunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. Two mutant strains were constructed to further validate the presence of predicted site‐specific post‐translational modifications. These site mutated SpxB proteins exhibited reduced solubility in vivo, which likely contributes to the observed phenotypic changes in colony morphology, bacterial growth, and H2O2 production. Overall, our data suggest that SpxB post‐translational modifications likely play a major role to regulate SpxB function in S. sanguinis.
Pediatric third liver transplantation—A single‐center experience
Authors: Couper Michael R. , Shun Albert , Siew Susan , O’Loughlin Edward , Thomas Gordon , Andersen Brooke , Jermyn Vicki , Sawyer Janine , Stormon Michael O.
Published: July 2021

Background

Pediatric retransplantation is an accepted practice for graft failure and complications in Australasia. As 15% of children require a third transplant, this is a growing cohort with limited data in the literature.

Methods

We review nine patients from the commencement of our transplantation program in 1986 up to 2020 assessing demographics, prognosis, and outcome measures.

Results

Third transplant patient survival was comparative to first and second transplant patient survival at 5 years. All deaths were within the post‐operative period and secondary to sepsis. Operative times and transfusion volumes were increased at third transplant (1.8 and 4.5 times compared to first transplant, respectively). Learning difficulties and psychological disturbances were prevalent (83% and 66.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

While recent mortality outcomes appear comparable to undergoing a second liver transplant, third transplant operations were more complex. Neurological impairment and psychological disturbance appear to be prevalent and need to be considered in pre‐transplant counseling.
Why illusionism about consciousness is unbelievable
Authors: Brown Christopher Devlin
Published: July 2021

Many philosophers identify knowledge of subjective experience as our sole epistemic bedrock of absolute certainty. Illusionism is the view that subjective experience does not exist, and that our belief in the existence of subjective experience is due to a persistent cognitive or meta‐cognitive illusion of some sort. I argue that illusionism entails an absurd epistemic consequence: that our current epistemic situation is consistent with the possible truth of absolute nihilism, which is the view that nothing whatsoever exists. Since it is epistemically impossible that absolute nihilism is true, and the only way to prevent this epistemic possibility is by denying illusionism, I hold that illusionism ought to be rejected.
Defining successful non‐invasive ventilation initiation: Data from a real‐life cohort
Authors: Jolly Grégoire , Razakamanantsoa Léa , Fresnel Emeline , Gharsallaoui Zouhaier , Cuvelier Antoine , Patout Maxime
Published: July 2021

Background and objective

When home non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) is initiated, five goals need to be achieved: a daily use >4 h/day, an improvement in gas exchange, health‐related quality of life (HRQL) and sleep quality without side effects. Our aim was to assess how frequently these five goals were reached and the factors predictive of achievement.

Methods

We conducted a monocentric cohort study that included patients electively established on home NIV over 2 years. HRQL was assessed at baseline and follow‐up by the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire. Adequate initiation was defined as the achievement of at least three of five goals and successful initiation as the achievement of all.

Results

Two‐hundred and fifty patients were included at baseline. NIV was initiated for: obesity hypoventilation syndrome (n = 95; 38%), neuromuscular disease (n = 70; 28%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 66; 26%) and chest wall disease (n = 19; 8%). At follow‐up, measures of all five goals were available in 141 (56%) patients. NIV initiation was adequate for 96 (68%) patients and successful for 12 (9%) patients. In multivariate analysis, a tidal volume ≥ 7.8 ml/kg of ideal body weight was associated with an increased likelihood of adequate NIV initiation (hazard ratio: 5.765 [95% CI:1.824–18.223], p = 0.006]. Improvement in daytime partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2) was not correlated to improvement in HRQL or sleep quality. Severe to very severe NIV‐related side effects occurred in 114 (47%) patients and were associated with higher daytime PaCO2 (6.35 ± 1.08 vs. 5.92 ± 0.79 kPa, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Successful home NIV initiation is rarely achieved in real life. HRQL and NIV tolerance should be assessed to improve patient‐centred outcomes.
Men's politics, women's piety: The gendered asymmetry of Indonesia's new public Islams
Authors: Millie Julian
Published: July 2021

The importance of embodied religious practice to public Islam in Indonesia is easily underrated. This article undertakes an empirical examination of two domains of public Islam in Indonesia: women's piety and formal Islamic party politics. Based on research with women's groups in West Java, the author argues that Islamic party politics rely upon fragmentation resulting from different understandings of embodied practices, while the consensus supporting women's piety requires suppression of this fragmentation. Political actors locate themselves in a male‐dominated political sphere by aligning within a matrix of different meanings of practices. Yet the national consensus that sustains support for the majelis taklim (women's study groups) encourages an undifferentiated approach to practice, in which motherhood metaphors serve as the basis for the public legitimacy of women's pious practice. However, in actual practice, many women, notably Muslim feminists, differentiate practices, thereby bringing them into the field of public contest.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*01:214 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Cargou Marine , Elsermans Vincent , Top Isabelle , Guidicelli Gwendaline , Visentin Jonathan
Published: July 2021

HLA‐C*01:214 differs from HLA‐C*01:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon −10 in exon 1.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐C*15:241 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Cargou Marine , Elsermans Vincent , Top Isabelle , Wojciechowski Elodie , Visentin Jonathan
Published: July 2021

HLA‐C*15:241 differs from HLA‐C*15:02:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 48 in exon 2.
Accounting for Absences and Ambiguities in the Freelancing Labour Relation
Authors: Worth Nancy , Karaagac E. Alkim
Published: July 2021

Research in economic geography has focused on the shift away from the standard employment relationship in the West; yet within these debates, non‐standard work is an amorphous stand‐in for many kinds of labour. Our aim is to account for absences and ambiguities within one form of non‐standard work – freelancing – to make the contours of this work more visible and to understand why a growing sector of the labour market is not well measured, protected or understood. Working from a Canadian case study, we first examine the conflicting ways freelancing is statistically measured, using an umbrella of intersecting terms that refer to labour or workers. Second, we critically review how freelancing is (not) legislated, organised and protected, areas of mediation which often still presume a standard employment relationship. Finally, we consider how the identity of ‘freelancer’ is lived, through freelancers' complex yet partial definitions that embrace flexibility and constraint.
Identification and analysis of urban influential regions using spatial interaction networks
Authors: Jia Tao , Yu Xuesong , Li Xin , Qin Kun
Published: July 2021

Understanding and controlling spreading processes in urban space is of theoretical and practical importance for developing policies in sustainable urban management. Conventional studies are mainly focused on identifying influential nodes in different networks, but little attention has been paid to identification of influential regions and analysis of their spatiotemporal characteristics in urban space. To fill this gap, this study proposes methods to identify urban influential regions and explores their spatiotemporal patterns using networks built from massive human movement data in Shanghai, China. (a) Influential regions in different time periods are identified as statistically significant hotspots of influential nodes, where betweenness centrality is used to extract the minimal set of influential nodes. (b) Influential regions are broadly distributed in urban space and exhibit periodic morphological patterns. Additionally, (c) they are associated with different urban functionalities and show varying degrees of influence in space, given their strong connections with the remainder of urban space either locally or globally. Lastly, (d) we report that they have different degrees of temporal influence with stable daily variation. Our results suggest the resilience and temporal variation of influential regions, and how this can be valuable in urban management such as disease control or resource circulation.
An aptamer highly specific to cellulose enables the analysis of the association of cellulose with matrix cell wall polymers in vitro and in muro
Authors: Głazowska Sylwia , Mravec Jozef
Published: July 2021

The current toolbox of cell wall‐directed molecular probes has been pivotal for advancing basic and application‐oriented plant carbohydrate research; however, it still exhibits limitations regarding target diversity and specificity. Scarcity of probes targeting intramolecular associations between cell wall polymers particularly hinders our understanding of the cell wall microstructure and affects the development of effective means for its efficient deconstruction for bioconversion. Here we report a detailed characterization of a cellulose‐binding DNA aptamer CELAPT MINI using a combination of various in vitro biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biology techniques. Our results show evidence for its high specificity towards long non‐substituted β‐(1‐4)‐glucan chains in both crystalline and amorphous forms. Fluorescent conjugates of CELAPT MINI are applicable as in situ cellulose probes and are well suited for various microscopy techniques, including super‐resolution imaging. Compatibility of fluorescent CELAPT MINI variants with immunodetection of cell wall matrix polymers enabled them simultaneously to resolve the fibrillar organization of complex cellulose‐enriched pulp material and to quantify the level of cellulose masking by xyloglucan and xylan. Using enzymatically, chemically, or genetically modulated Brachypodium internode sections we showed the diversity in cell wall packing among various cell types and even cell wall microdomains. We showed that xylan is the most prominent, but not the only, cellulose‐masking agent in Brachypodium internode tissues. These results collectively highlight the hitherto unexplored potential to expand the cell wall probing toolbox with highly specific and versatile in vitro generated polynucleotide probes.
Secretory lipid transfer protein OsLTPL94 acts as a target of EAT1 and is required for rice pollen wall development
Authors: Tao Yang , Zou Ting , Zhang Xu , Liu Rui , Chen Hao , Yuan Guoqiang , Zhou Dan , Xiong Pingping , He Zhiyuan , Li Gongwen , Zhou Menglin , Liu Sijing , Deng Qiming , Wang Shiquan , Zhu Jun , Liang Yueyang , Yu Xiumei , Zheng Aiping , Wang Aijun , Liu Huainian , Wang Lingxia , Li Ping , Li Shuangcheng
Published: July 2021

The plant pollen wall protects the male gametophyte from various biotic and abiotic stresses. The formation of a unique pollen wall structure and elaborate exine pattern is a well‐organized process, which needs coordination between reproductive cells and the neighboring somatic cells. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. Here, we report a rice male‐sterile mutant (l94) that exhibits defective pollen exine patterning and abnormal tapetal cell development. MutMap and knockout analyses demonstrated that the causal gene encodes a type‐G non‐specific lipid transfer protein (OsLTPL94). Histological and cellular analyses established that OsLTPL94 is strongly expressed in the developing microspores and tapetal cells, and its protein is secreted to the plasma membrane. The l94 mutation impeded the secretory ability of OsLTPL94 protein. Further in vivo and in vitro investigations supported the hypothesis that ETERNAL TAPETUM 1 (EAT1), a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor (bHLH TF), activated OsLTPL94 expression through direct binding to the E‐box motif of the OsLTPL94 promoter, which was supported by the positive correlation between the expression of EAT1 and OsLTPL94 in two independent eat1 mutants. Our findings suggest that the secretory OsLTPL94 plays a key role in the coordinated development of tapetum and microspores with the regulation of EAT1.
Trade, conflict and informality: Evidence from the South Sudanese civil war
Authors: Rauschendorfer Jakob , Shepherd Ben
Published: July 2021

A significant proportion of trade in Africa takes place informally. In this paper we postulate that informal trade is more sensitive to securityrelated trade costs than formal trade. To test this hypothesis, we combine unique aggregated survey data on Uganda's informal crossborder trade with formal customs data and exploit the spatial and time variation of the South Sudanese civil war to causally identify the impact of conflict on different types of trade. Our preferred estimates suggest that the civil war reduced Uganda's informal exports to South Sudan by as much as 80%, compared to an estimated effect of 12% for formal exports. Further, we show that the impact of the conflict on formal exports is driven entirely by a reduction of industrial goods exports while exports of agricultural products continued to flow, presumably reflecting necessities in consumption for which willingness to pay is high. Taken together our results are consistent with the hypothesis that security‐related trade costs have heterogeneous effects on different types of international trade.
A multi‐country analysis of austerity policies in the European Union
Authors: Bajo‐Rubio Oscar , G. Gómez‐Plana Antonio
Published: July 2021

We analyse the global effects from the austerity policies recently implemented in the EU, by developing an extension of the GTAP general equilibrium model. The extended model incorporates a new specification of the trade balance (i.e. endogenous), the labour market (i.e. unemployment under a wage curve framework) and the public sector (i.e. split from the representative national agent, with endogenous expenditure and savings). Three alternative policies aimed to get a one percentage point reduction in the EU’s government deficit to GDP ratio are simulated, and their effects on the main macroeconomic variables of seven regions of the world economy are examined. The three policy measures led to contractionary effects on the EU’s activity levels, together with changes in income distribution, always detrimental to labour. The effects on the rest of the world, driven by changes in trade flows, were, however, mostly negligible.
The prevalence of intra‐tumoral and distant thrombi, as well as tumour‐cell emboli in canine neoplasia
Authors: Pazzi Paolo , Celliers Anri , du Plessis Elizabeth C. , Kristensen Annemarie T. , Goddard Amelia
Published: July 2021

Macroscopic thromboembolic disease has been associated with canine neoplasia, whereas prevalence studies of concurrent microthrombi and tumour‐cell emboli are lacking. This retrospective study investigated microthrombi and tumour cell emboli by reviewing pathology records of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma, sarcoma, carcinoma and mast cell tumours with a concurrent description of thrombi or emboli. Pathology reports and medical records of cases with either tumour biopsies and/or post mortems with a diagnosis of neoplasia were reviewed for the presence of microthrombi, macrothrombi and/or tumour‐cell emboli and the association with tumour type. Of the 28 895 canine cases in the database, 21 252 (73.5%) were antemortem biopsy specimens and 7643 were post mortems (26.5%); 2274 solid tumours were identified, 2107 (92.7%) were antemortem biopsy diagnoses and 167 (7.3%) were post mortem diagnoses. The prevalence of solid tumour types in the database (28 895 cases) was 872 (3.0%) lymphoma, 722 (2.5%) sarcoma, 455 (1.6%) carcinoma and 225 (0.8%) mast cell tumour. The prevalence of microthrombi associated with these tumours was 58/2274 (2.6%). Intra‐tumoral microthrombi were reported in 53/2274 (2.3%) cases, the majority in sarcomas (37/53, 69.8%). No macrothrombi were reported. Tumour‐cell emboli were identified in 39/2274 (1.7%) cases, 31/39 (79.5%) were extra‐tumoral or distant emboli, and carcinoma the most commonly associated tumour (29/39; 74.4%). Microthrombi were reported in 2.6% of cases, the majority in sarcomas and tumour‐cell emboli were identified in 1.7% of cases, the majority carcinomas. Prospective investigations are necessary to explore the potential clinical and prognostic implications of microthrombi and tumour‐cell emboli in canine neoplasia.
Is ‘everything everywhere’? Unprecedented cryptic diversity in the cosmopolitan flatworm Gyratrix hermaphroditus
Authors: Tessens Bart , Monnens Marlies , Backeljau Thierry , Jordaens Kurt , Van Steenkiste Niels , Breman Floris C. , Smeets Karen , Artois Tom
Published: July 2021

Many nominal species of microscopic animals traditionally fitting the ‘everything is everywhere’ paradigm have been revealed to be complexes of cryptic species. Here, we explore species diversity within the micrometazoan flatworm Gyratrix hermaphroditus—unique among meiofauna because of its global occurrence in a wide variety of brackish, freshwater and marine environments. With maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches, we analysed 18S, 28S, 5.8S and ITS2 rDNA sequences from 401 specimens across the global distribution of G. hermaphroditus. Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) methods delineated 78 and 62 putative species, respectively. This renders G. hermaphroditus one of the most species‐rich complexes known to date. Based on shape variations of the male copulatory organ, 14 morphotypes corresponding with molecular clades were identified within the species complex. Within morphotypes, morphometric measurements were able to further discriminate between GMYC species using discriminant analyses. While most putative species occur on local or regional scales, over 10% are distributed over vast distances (>500 km apart) and two GMYC and six ABGD species have colonised multiple continents. This suggests that the cosmopolitanism of the G. hermaphroditus species complex is not just caused by mixing cryptic species with a more limited geographic distribution, but is due to the presence of previously unrecognised cosmopolitan taxa. The wide variation in distribution patterns between putative species indicates that meiofaunal biogeography should not be simplified into ‘everything is everywhere’, but rather entails every ecological state, extending from local endemism to true cosmopolitanism.
Factors that influence international nursing students’ experiences and perceptions of their learning environments: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Tallon Mary , Brown Janie , Solomons Terena , Kalembo Fatch , Bosco Anna , Lim Eric , Ngune Irene , Moore Kate , Wilson Sally
Published: July 2021

Objective:

The objective of this review is to explore the research on factors that influence international undergraduate nursing students’ experiences and perceptions of their learning environment.

Introduction:

International nursing students bring valuable cultural and economic opportunities to universities and health care. It is important that their clinical learning experiences are positive. Factors that influence nursing students’ experiences may include cultural and communication differences, diversity related to health care systems, learning and teaching strategies, and programs to improve communication. International nursing students’ experiences and perceptions are reported in terms of expressed confidence, perceived competence, and levels of satisfaction. A scoping review is required to identify what is known and to identify the knowledge gaps in this area.

Inclusion criteria:

International nursing students are those who are enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program in a higher-education institution in a country other than their own. International students studying vocational nursing and exchange students will be excluded. The learning environment is considered to be one in which any person who may influence patient care learns. Primary research, both qualitative and quantitative methods, published since 1995 in any language that the research team can translate will be included.

Methods:

This review follows the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Data extraction will include the factors influencing students’ experiences and the concepts that were explored. Data analysis will include frequencies of concepts and associations between them. Results will be presented in tabular form and mind maps.

Scoping review registration number:

Open Science Framework (osf.io/r4v6q)
New genus and four new species of the family Cunaxidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata: Bdelloidea) from Zambia
Authors: Laniecka Izabella , Laniecki Ronald , Kazmierski Andrzej
Published: July 2021

New genus and four new species of the family Cunaxidae: Quasiscutopalus impala gen. nov., sp. nov., Armascirus livingstoni sp. nov., Cunaxa mukuni sp. nov. and Cunaxa niedbalai sp. nov. are described and figured from Zambia. Additionally, Cunaxa gazella (Berlese, 1916) is recorded and discussed.
Efficacy of soil isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against the bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini (Acari: Acaridae)
Authors: Konopická Jana , Bohatá Andrea , Nermuť Jiří , Jozová Eva , Mráček Zdeněk , Palevsky Eric , Zemek Rostislav
Published: July 2021

The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini, is a serious pest of garlic, onion and other crops. The mite is usually found in association with dangerous fungal pathogens such as Fusarium spp. Control of this pest has relied upon the use of synthetic acaricides but chemical control of the bulb mite is difficult because it is able to develop resistance quickly. Thus, alternative control methods, e.g. biological control, need to be developed and implemented. The aim of this study was to assess efficacy of selected strains of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) against adult females of R. robini under laboratory conditions. New EPF strains were isolated from soil samples collected in onion and garlic fields in the Czech Republic and Israel using soil elution and cultivation on selective media. Fungal species were determined using macroscopic, microscopic and molecular markers. The efficacy against R. robini females was tested in 17 isolated and 3 reference strains of EPF. Results revealed high variability among species and strains. The highest efficacy against R. robini mites was found in strains of Metarhizium anisopliae isolated from soil samples collected in the Czech Republic which caused mortality up to 99.3%, and a Metarhizium indigoticum strain from Israel causing 98.3% mortality after four days of bioassay. Isaria fumosorosea strains did not caused mortality higher than 40%. The lowest virulence was found in Beauveria spp. strains causing mortality of mites between 5 and 25%. Median lethal time (LT50) and median lethal concentration (LC50) in the three most virulent strains ranged between 2 and 4 days and between 1.01×104 and 2.36×105 spores/ml, respectively. The concentration-response models indicated that the M. indigoticum strain is more lethal than M. anisopliae strains. The present study showed that some strains of entomopathogenic fungi, especially from the genus Metarhizium, could be perspective biocontrol agents against R. robini.
Temperature effects on the non-parasitic phase of Amblyomma parvum (Acari: Ixodidae)
Authors: Faccini João Luiz Horacio , Almeida Tatiane Kawamura de , Sousa Isabella Chaves , Costa Junior Livio Martins , Luz Hermes Ribeiro
Published: July 2021

The tick Amblyomma parvum has a wide distribution in the Central and South America. Therefore, throughout its distribution range, populations of this tick are exposed to different abiotic factors (e.g., Temperature and humidity). Here, we assess the effect of five temperatures, 18°C, 21°C, 24°C, 27°C, 32°C and 80 ± 10% RH on non-parasitic phases of A. parvum under controlled conditions of laboratory. Our results show that temperature affects all parameters of the non-parasitic phases of A. parvum. Mean periods of premolt and molting of immatures, and mean periods of pre-oviposition, oviposition and incubation of females decreases as temperature increases from 18 °C to at 32 °C. Conversely, the molting success of larvae increased from 18 °C to 32 °C but the percentages were statistically non-significant under 21°C, 24°C and 27°C. The molting success of nymphs was higher than 95% under all temperatures. Mean percentages of egg mass and EPE increases as temperature increase from 18 °C to 27°C, then both decrease at 32 °C. The mean percentage of egg hatching was higher than 90% from 21 to 32 °C. The total non-parasitic phase of A. parvum was completed in an average of 223.4, 150.9, 114.7, 90.2 and 69.0 days, respectively, under temperatures of 18°C, 21°C, 24°C, 27°C and 32°C. The effect of five temperatures studied in this experiment suggest that populations of A.parvum can exhibit different biological and ecological behaviors throughout its distribution range, as expected to occur in ticks with wide range distribution.
Three new species of the family Eriophyidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from South China
Authors: Wang Yan , Yao Gang , Qin Fengping , Wang Guoquan
Published: July 2021

In this paper, three new species of eriophyoid mites of the family Eriophyidae from South China are described and illustrated. They are: Stenacis cryptomeris sp. nov. infesting Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. Ex L.f.) D.Don (Cupressaceae), Tetra guizhouensis sp. nov. infesting Caesalpinia sp. (Leguminosae), and Nothopoda schimae sp. nov. infesting Schima superba Gardner & Champ. (Theaceae). All of these three new species are vagrants on lower leaf surface and causing no apparent damages to their host plants.
Diversity of edaphic Gamasina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) in different ecosystems of the Caatinga biome in northeast Brazil
Authors: Barros Ávyla Régia de Albuquerque , De Azevedo Emiliano Brandão , Silva Edmilson Santos , Castilho Raphael de Campos , De Moraes Gilberto José
Published: July 2021

Knowledge of the fauna of soil mites in Brazilian soils is still scarce and limited to a few regions, referring almost exclusively to areas of natural vegetation. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the abundance and diversity of edaphic Gamasina mites (Mesostigmata) on ecosystems of natural vegetation and cultivations of prickly pear, cassava and pasture located in the Caatinga biome in the state of Alagoas, northeast Brazil. Collections were carried out every three months between December 2018 and August 2019. In each collection date and in each ecosystem, 16 soil samples were collected. During the study, a total of 2,979 Gamasina were collected. Representatives of 10 families were identified, one of which, new to science. The largest number of Gamasina collected belonged to Ascidae (60%), followed by Laelapidae (14.3%) and Rhodacaridae (10%). Forty-four morphospecies were found, of which 25 new to science, distributed in 22 genera, two new to science. Protogamasellus mica Athias-Henriot, Protogamasellus sigillophorus Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes and a new species of Protogamasellus (Ascidae) were the most abundant species. Mean abundance and richness were highest in the natural vegetation (respectively 38.2 mites and 12.6 species per sample), followed by prickly pear (29.6 and 8.6), pasture (20.8 and 8.6) and cassava (10.9 and 5.7). The Shannon-Weaver’s index diversity was highest for pasture (2.6) and lowest for the natural vegetation (2.2). The equitability indexes were quite similar in the different ecosystems though slightly lower in the natural vegetation (0.7 in the natural vegetation and 0.8 in other ecosystems). A cluster analysis indicated that the area of natural vegetation was the most distant from the others. Several of the species collected belong to Laelapidae and Macrochelidae, families with species used in the applied biological pest control. Thus, it is hoped that this work will serve as a basis for future applied research, aimed at prospecting Gamasina potentially useful for use in biological control programs.
Acaricidal activity and biochemical analysis of Citrus limetta seed oil for controlling Ixodid Tick Rhipicephalus microplus infesting cattle
Authors: Jain Parag , Satapathy Trilochan , Pandey Ravindra Kumar
Published: July 2021

The present study was performed with an objective to determine acaricidal activity of Citrus limetta seed oil (CLO) against cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The mode of action of CLO was determined by evaluating biochemical enzymatic levels in treated ticks. CLO was obtained by extracting with n-hexane as solvent in soxhlet apparatus. The active compounds in CLO were analyzed through Gas chromatography. Acaricidal activity of CLO was evaluated using larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test (AIT). Results of chromatographic analysis showed that palmitic acid, stearic acid, α-Tocopherol and bergamol were present as major active constituents along with other compounds. The lethal concentration (LC50) of CLO was found to be 2.87% and 3.96% for larvae and adult of R. microplus ticks, respectively. In vitro acaricidal bioassay revealed 100% mortality of ticks in both LPT and AIT at 12.5% dose. CLO significantly (p < 0.001) reduced oviposition rate, hatching ability of eggs and reproduction efficiency of ticks. Biochemical analysis of ticks homogenate showed different enzymatic levels. The results revealed that CLO disturbed protective enzymes functions by reducing level of SOD, GST, MAO and AChE but increasing NOS level in ticks as compared with control group. Thus, CLO may be used as an effective acaricidal agent in controlling R. microplus ticks.
A new species of Pulaeus and the first report of Coleoscirus tuberculatus for the fauna of Brazil (Acari: Cunaxidae)
Authors: Wurlitzer Wesley Borges , Bizarro Gabriel Lima , Johann Liana , Ferla Noeli Juarez , Da Silva Guilherme Liberato
Published: July 2021

A new species of Cunaxidae, namely Pulaeus mormacensis Wurlitzer & Silva sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on females and males collected in soil and leaf litter in the Atlantic rainforest biome in a rural forest fragment in Mormaço and Putinga municipalities, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. In addition, we report for the first time and illustrate Coleoscirus tuberculatus Den Heyer from Brazil.