bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel magnetic resonance imaging‐based scoring system to predict outcome in neonates born preterm with intraventricular haemorrhage
Authors: Goeral Katharina , Kasprian Gregor , Hüning Britta M , Waldhoer Thomas , Fuiko Renate , Schmidbauer Victor , Prayer Daniela , Felderhoff‐Müser Ursula , Berger Angelika , Olischar Monika , Klebermass‐Schrehof Katrin
Published: November 2021

Aim

To create a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based scoring system specific to neonates born preterm with intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), which could serve as a reliable prognostic indicator for later development and might allow for improved outcome prediction, individually‐tailored parental counselling, and clinical decision‐making.

Method

This retrospective, two‐center observational cohort study included 103 infants born preterm with IVH (61 males, 42 females; median gestational age 26wks 6d), born between 2000 and 2016. Term‐equivalent MRI was evaluated using a novel scoring system consisting of 11 items. A total MRI score was calculated and correlated with neurodevelopment between 2 years and 3 years of age. Prediction models for outcome were defined.

Results

The proposed MRI scoring system showed high correlation and strong predictive ability with regard to later cognitive and motor outcome. The prediction models were translated into easy‐to‐use tables, allowing developmental risk assessment.

Interpretation

The proposed MRI‐based scoring system was created especially for infants born preterm with IVH and enables a comprehensive assessment of important brain areas as well as potential additional abnormalities commonly associated with IVH. Thus, it better represents the severity of brain damage when compared with the conventional IVH classification. Our scoring system should provide clinicians with valuable information, to optimize parental counselling and clinical decision‐making.
On understanding and manipulating the hatching patterns of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera eggs to improve the design of experiments
Authors: Toth Szabolcs , Szalai Mark , Toepfer Stefan
Published: November 2021

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a well‐studied pest of maize (Zea mays L., Poaceae) in North America and Europe. Many studies on its biology, behaviour, or management rely on individuals reared from either field‐collected insects or laboratory colonies. Naturally, D. v. virgifera eggs require an obligate 8–10‐month diapause, which can cause technical challenges such as a deceleration of research activities. To allow better planning of experimentation, we have investigated the survival and temporal hatching patterns of the pest’s eggs depending on diapause length as well as post‐diapause incubation temperature. Laboratory assays revealed that the highest hatching rates and most synchronized hatching times in a wild diapausing population occurred when eggs were overwintered at the natural diapause length (8–10 months) or shorter (5–7 months) and then incubated at 20–24 °C. Eggs diapaused for only 2 months showed comparably good hatching rates, but hatching patterns appeared more variable. Diapause of <2 or >10 months reduced hatching success, as did low (16 °C) incubation temperatures. For comparison, a well‐studied non‐diapausing laboratory colony was assessed as well. Data matrices on egg overwintering survival, the start, peak, duration, and end of egg hatching, as well as hatching rates are provided for various diapause lengths and three incubation temperatures for both populations. This information will support scientists in choosing a D. v. virgifera colony that fits best their experimental set‐up and study conditions, as well as in optimally planning such studies.
Millennials’ Future Homeownership and the Role of Student Loan Debt
Authors: Mountain Travis P. , Cao Xiang , Kim Namhoon , Gutter Michael S.
Published: December 2021

The financial burden of student loans on individuals in the Millennial generation is a serious issue. We investigated the effect this financial burden has on not only current homeownership but also the expectations and timing for future homeownership. The data came from the 2016 UF/VT Millennial Housing and Student Debt Survey of 1,327 young adults aged 19 to 35. We used a logistic regression model to determine differences in current homeownership and a two‐stage Cragg model to examine the expectation and timing of future homeownership. We found that while student loans negatively affected Millennials’ current ownership rates, the Millennials still wanted to be homeowners. Moreover, the homeownership timeline for Millennials with student loan debt will be delayed by several years relative to their counterparts without student loan debt.
Type IIB PKA is highly expressed in β cells and controls cell proliferation via regulating Cyclin D1 expression
Authors: Jiang Yaojing , Zhu Lu , Wu Di , Ni Yunzhi , Huang Chuxin , Ye Hongying , Yang Yehong , Liu Rui , Li Yiming
Published: November 2021

β cell number is maintained mainly by cell proliferation and cell apoptosis. Protein kinase A (PKA) pathway is an important intracellular signalling‐mediating β cell proliferation. However, the precise roles of PKA isoforms are not well‐defined. We found that the RIIB subunit of PKA is expressed specifically by β cells of mouse and human islets. Sixty percent pancreatectomy caused increased β cell proliferation. Deletion of type IIB PKA by disruption of RIIB expression further promoted β cell proliferation, leading to enhanced β cell mass expansion. RIIB KO mice also showed increased insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance. Mechanistically, activation of type IIB PKA decreased Cyclin D1 levels and inhibition of RIIB expression increased Cyclin D1 levels. Consistently, activation of type IIB PKA inhibited cell cycle entry. These results suggest that type IIB PKA plays a pivotal role in β cell proliferation via regulating Cyclin D1 expression.
Distinct binding kinetics of E‐, P‐ and L‐selectins to CD44
Authors: Li Linda , Ding Qihan , Zhou Jin , Wu Yi , Zhang Mingkun , Guo Xingming , Long Mian , Lü Shouqin
Published: November 2021

Molecular‐level selectin‐cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) interactions are far from clear because of the complexity and diversity of CD44 glycosylation and isoforms expressed on various types of cells. By combining experimental measurements and simulation predictions, the binding kinetics of three selectin members to the recombinant CD44 were quantified and the corresponding microstructural mechanisms were explored, respectively. Experimental results showed that the E‐selectin–CD44 interactions mainly mediated the firm adhesion of microbeads under shear flow with the strongest rupture force. P‐ and L‐selectins had similar interaction strength but different association and dissociation rates by mediating stable rolling and transient adhesions of microbeads, respectively. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations predicted that the binding epitopes of CD44 to selectins are all located at the side face of each selectin, although the interfaces denoted as the hinge region are between lectin and epidermal growth factor domains of E‐selectin, Lectin domain side of P‐selectin and epidermal growth factor domain side of L‐selectin, respectively. The lowest binding free energy, the largest rupture force and the longest lifetime for E‐selectin, as well as the comparable values for P‐ and L‐selectins, demonstrated in both equilibration and steered MD simulations, supported the above experimental results. These results offer basic data for understanding the functional differences of selectin–CD44 interactions.
Biogenesis of hepatitis B virus e antigen is driven by translocon‐associated protein complex and regulated by conserved cysteine residues within its signal peptide sequence
Authors: Zábranská Helena , Zábranský Aleš , Lubyová Barbora , Hodek Jan , Křenková Alena , Hubálek Martin , Weber Jan , Pichová Iva
Published: November 2021

Hepatitis B virus uses e antigen (HBe), which is dispensable for virus infectivity, to modulate host immune responses and achieve viral persistence in human hepatocytes. The HBe precursor (p25) is directed to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where cleavage of the signal peptide (sp) gives rise to the first processing product, p22. P22 can be retro‐translocated back to the cytosol or enter the secretory pathway and undergo a second cleavage event, resulting in secreted p17 (HBe). Here, we report that translocation of p25 to the ER is promoted by translocon‐associated protein complex. We have found that p25 is not completely translocated into the ER; a fraction of p25 is phosphorylated and remains in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Within the p25 sp sequence, we have identified three cysteine residues that control the efficiency of sp cleavage and contribute to proper subcellular distribution of the precore pool.
Non‐native freshwater snails: a global synthesis of invasion status, mechanisms of introduction, and interactions with natural enemies
Authors: Preston Daniel L. , Crone Erin R. , Miller‐ter Kuile Ana , Lewis Catherine D. , Sauer Erin L. , Trovillion Daniel C.
Published: November 2021

Non‐native freshwater snails can play important roles as consumers, hosts, and prey. Despite their potential ecological importance, global patterns in non‐native snail taxonomy, geography, and ecology have not been documented. Our objectives were to use a semi‐quantitative systematic review to describe non‐native freshwater snail global diversity, distribution, mechanisms of introduction, and interactions with natural enemies, including parasites and predators.

Based on 506 relevant publications, we recorded 95 non‐native freshwater snail species from 16 families. Six taxonomic families, and pulmonate snails as a group, were over‐represented relative to the number of species expected by chance. Eight snail species represented 63% of the research records. A few snail taxa (15%) were widespread global invaders, reported from four or more continents, while most invasions were limited to a single continent. Australia and the Pacific Islands were the largest ‘sink’ for non‐native snails, with the greatest difference in the number of non‐native taxa relative to native taxa that had spread to other continents.

Aquarium hobby sales were implicated as the most common mechanism of introduction (41% of species), followed by “hitchhiking” on aquatic vegetation, human consumption, use for biocontrol, transportation in canals, commercial shipping, and outdoor recreation. A search of internet sales posts indicated that four of the six over‐represented snail families were readily available for purchase online.

Non‐native snails hosted parasites of wildlife, livestock, and human health importance, yet on average had 80% lower parasite richness in their non‐native compared to native range. At least 65 taxa were documented as consumers of non‐native snails, including native predators of conservation concern. These findings suggest that non‐native snails often are released from parasitism, but may commonly experience biotic resistance from predators.

Our synthesis emphasizes the relatively high diversity of non‐native snails, but the disproportionate role of a few taxonomic groups in driving ecological, economic, and public health challenges. Moving forward, it will be important to limit new snail introductions through policy, education, and monitoring, particularly as the effective control of established snail invasions remains challenging in most ecosystems.
A hierarchical approach to understanding physiological associations with climate
Authors: Anderson Rodolfo O. , White Craig R. , Chapple David G. , Kearney Michael R.
Published: November 2021

Aim

Our understanding of species’ responses to climate depends on choosing the scale for the analysis. Processes driving physiological adaptation that occur at the small spatial scales most relevant to animals may be masked in correlations between organismal traits and broad‐scale climatologies, but the extent to which this undermines our understanding of the macroevolution of physiological traits is unknown.

Location

Global.

Time period

Current.

Major taxa studied

Lizards.

Methods

We investigated relationships between physiological traits (water loss rate, standard and field metabolic rates, thermal preferences and critical thermal limits) and environmental conditions in 369 lizard species across sets of environmental predictors representing different processes across hierarchically nested spatial scales: macroclimate, microclimate and biophysical.

Results

We found that microclimatic and biophysical predictors had greater explanatory power than macroclimatic predictors for all traits except standard and field metabolic rates. Across spatial scales, standard metabolic rate was negatively related to maximum temperatures whereas field metabolic rate was positively related to minimum temperatures. Thermal preference and critical limits showed expected relationships with environmental temperature, but preferred temperature and critical thermal maxima were most strongly associated with soil water potential, as was evaporative water loss.

Main conclusions

The use of proximal environmental predictors, via the principles of microclimatic and biophysical modelling, can be more informative in comparative physiological analyses than the more traditional application of macroclimatic data. In our study it led us to new, testable hypotheses about the role of habitat structure mediated by soil moisture. New datasets and computational methods mean that proximal environmental predictors can be readily computed for any kind of organism and their application to comparative studies should improve our understanding of physiological evolution.
A technical strategy to prolong anthocyanins thermal stability in formulated purple potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv Bora valley) processed by hot‐melt extrusion
Authors: Azad Md Obyedul Kalam , Adnan Md. , Kang Wie Soo , Lim Jung Dae , Lim Young Seok
Published: November 2021

The thermal instability of anthocyanins is a crucial challenge in processed food industries. To overcome this fact, biopolymer‐mediated purple potato (PP) formulations (BEFP) were developed by hot‐melt extrusion (HME). The BEFP were composed of PP+ whey protein concentrate (WPC) (F2), PP+ WPC+ ascorbic acid (AA) (F3), PP+ soy lecithin (LCT) (F4), and PP+ LCT+ AA (F5). The freeze‐dried and extrudate PP was treated as standard (F0) and control (F1), respectively. The physical and chemical properties of the extrudate BEFP was evaluated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that anthocyanins remained higher in aqueous media in F5 formulation. Chromatographic analysis showed many folds higher total anthocyanins (23 folds), cyanidin (7 folds) and malvidin (2 folds) in F5 compared to F1. Moreover, peonidin and delphinidin were found absent in all formulations except F4 and F5. Likewise, total phenolic (TP) content, total flavonoids (TF) and antioxidant capacity were significantly remained higher at 2, 4 and 2 times in F5 compared to F1, respectively. It is suggested that the F5 was found to be the compatible formulation to prolong the thermal stability of anthocyanins in extrudate PP.
Effets du COVID‐19 sur les travailleurs des chaînes de valeur mondiales: une analyse de genre
Authors: TEJANI Sheba , FUKUDA‐PARR Sakiko
Published: November 2021

Les autrices proposent un cadre d'analyse des effets genrés du COVID‐19 sur les travailleurs de trois chaînes de valeur mondiales (CVM): les services externalisés, l'habillement et l'électronique. Elles distinguent ces effets selon qu'ils sont induits par la maladie ou par les mesures de confinement, et selon qu'ils découlent de l'offre ou de la demande. Elles tiennent compte du caractère multidimensionnel du bien‐être, de l'imbrication des sphères de la production et de la reproduction sociale et du fait que les normes sociales et les structures de pouvoir produisent des inégalités entre les sexes. Elles concluent que la pandémie révèle et renforce les vulnérabilités des travailleuses des CVM.
A new AHP‐prioritization method based on linear programming for crisp and interval preference relations
Authors: Foroughi Ali Asghar , Azad Hooshyar
Published: November 2021

Obtaining a priority (weight) vector is a crucial topic in the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). This paper proposes a novel prioritization approach based on linear programming (LP) for obtaining priorities in the AHP. We apply this approach to group decision making and modify it to include uncertainty in the decision maker's subjective judgments when the pairwise comparison matrix (PCM) elements are intervals. The proposed LP approach has a high potential in ranking the elements (decision criteria or alternatives). It is always feasible and produces interval priority vectors with positive lower and upper bounds for interval PCMs. These are important advantages of the proposed model in comparison to some existing models. To illustrate the potential applications and advantages of this approach, some numerical examples, including a multiple criteria decision making problem with a hierarchical structure, are examined.
Application of pulsed light technology for fruits and vegetables disinfection: A review
Authors: Salehi Fakhreddin
Published: November 2021

Non-thermal technologies can maintain fruit and vegetable products quality better than traditional thermal processing. Pulsed light (PL) is a non-thermal method for microbial inactivation (vegetative cells and spores) in fruits and vegetables. The PL treatment involves the application of intense and short-duration pulses of broad spectrum wavelengths ranging from UV to near-infrared (100–1100 nm). This review summarized application of PL technology to control microbial contamination and increasing shelf-life of some fruits and vegetables including apple, blueberries, grape, orange, strawberries, carrot, lettuce, spinach, and tomato. The microbial inactivation in very short treatment times, low energy used by this system, flexibility for solid or liquid samples, few residual compounds and no synthetic chemicals that cause environmental pollution or harm humans, is benefits of PL technique. The efficiency of PL disinfection is closely associated with the input voltage, fluence (energy dose), composition of the emitted light spectrum, number of lamps, the distance between samples and light source, and frequency and number of applied pulses. The PL treatments control pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, so it facilitates the growth and development of the starter microorganisms affecting product quality.
Falls in older ambulatory care patients with cancer in Iran: Implications for clinical practice
Authors: Saberi Najmeh , Darvishpoor Kakhki Ali , Ilkhani Mahnaz , Khan Hafiz T. A.
Published: December 2021

Rationale/Aim

Falls can have severe consequences particularly for older patients with cancer undergoing ambulatory care. The aim of the study is to identify the predictors of falls in older patients receiving cancer ambulatory care and evaluate the accuracy of the final multivariable model in detecting older patients with falls.

Method

A retrospective study was conducted on 300 older patients aged 60 years and above that were referred for ambulatory care in three oncology clinics based at hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising demographic, history of falls, and cancer‐related factors. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with falls.

Results

A total of 35.3% of the older patients with cancer had experienced a fall in the 6 months following the start of their ambulatory care. The most important predictors of falls include the fourth stage of cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 6.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.20–13.08, p < 0.001), fear of falling (OR: 5.64, 95% CI: 2.58–12.33, p < 0.001), use of hearing (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.07–5.29, p = 0.033) and visual aids (OR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.12–5.01, p = 0.025), and the number of visits to the doctor (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21, p = 0.035).

Conclusions

The results indicate that a reduction in falls is possible by introducing strategies to improve care for older patients in the advanced stage of cancer, eliminating the causes of fear of falling, examining and improving vision and hearing, and identifying and addressing the underlying causes of visits to the doctor.
Serum neurofilament light chain in adult and pediatric patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease: Correlation with relapses and seizures
Authors: Luo Wenjing , Chen Yashuang , Mao Shanshan , Jin Jianing , Liu Chunxin , Zhong Xiaonan , Sun Xiaobo , Kermode Allan G. , Qiu Wei
Published: November 2021

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD) causes major disability as a consequence of recurrent demyelinating events and neuronal loss. Biomarkers identifying different phenotypes of recurrence or tissue damage might be useful to guide individualized therapy. Herein, we evaluated serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as a potential biomarker in both adult and pediatric MOGAD patients. Forty‐nine patients with MOGAD (37 adults, 12 children) and 71 healthy controls (HCs) (56 adults, 15 children) were enrolled prospectively from September 2019 to April 2021 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University and the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. sNfL levels were determined using ultrasensitive single‐molecule array assay and correlated with clinical parameters. The sNfL levels in MOGAD adults in a relapsed state (median: 31.0 pg/ml) were higher than those in a remission state (8.1 pg/ml, p = 0.001) and in HC adults (10.3 pg/ml, p = 0.004). Similar results were observed in children (relapse: 46.8 pg/ml vs. remission: 13.1 pg/ml, p = 0.001; and vs. HCs: 8.2 pg/ml, p = 0.007) sNfL levels were correlated with recent relapses within 60 days (multivariate: β = 2.02, p = 0.003), seizures (multivariate: β = 2.50, p = 0.021) and brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a recent relapse (multivariate: β = 1.72, p = 0.012). Our study showed that sNfL levels are beneficial for identifying recent relapses and seizures and suggest that adult and pediatric MOGAD patients had similar sNfL levels.

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Human oral mucosa‐derived neural crest‐like stem cells differentiate into functional osteoprogenitors that contribute to regeneration of critical size calvaria defects
Authors: Lopez‐Letayf Sonia , Arie Ina , Araidy Shareef , Abu El‐Naaj Imad , Pitaru Sandu , Arzate Higinio
Published: November 2021

Background and objective

Regeneration of large bony defects is an unmet medical need. The therapeutic effect of fully developed bony constructs engineered in vitro from mineralized scaffold and adult stem cells is hampered by deficient long‐term graft integration. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the regenerative capacity of a bony primordial construct consisting of human oral mucosa stem cells (hOMSC)‐derived osteoprogenitors and absorbable Gelfoam® sponges.

Methods

Gingiva and alveolar mucosa‐derived hOMSC were differentiated into osteoprogenitors (Runx2 and osterix positive) and loaded into Gelfoam® sponges to generate primordial hOMSC constructs. These were implanted into critical size calvaria defects in the rat. Defects treated with human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) constructs; Gelfoam® sponges and untreated defects served as controls.

Results

After 120‐day post‐implantation defects treated with hOMSC constructs, HDF constructs and gelatin and untreated defects exhibited 86%, 30%, 21%, and 9% of new bone formation, respectively. Immunofluorescence analysis for human nuclear antigen (HNA), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteocalcin (OCN) revealed viable hOMSC‐derived osteoblasts and osteocytes that formed most of the cell population of the newly formed bone at 30 and 120 days post surgery. Few HNA‐positive HDF that were negative for BSP and OCN were identified together with inflammatory cells in the soft tissue adjacent to new bone formation only at 30 days post implantation.

Conclusion

Collectively, the results demonstrate that primordial in vitro engineered constructs consisting of hOMSC‐derived osteoprogenitors and absorbable gelatin almost completely regenerate critical size defects in an immunocompetent xenogeneic animal by differentiating into functional osteoblasts that retain the immunomodulatory ability of naïve hOMSC.
HCV disease burden and population segments in Switzerland
Authors: Bihl Florian , Bruggmann Philip , Castro Batänjer Erika , Dufour Jean‐Francois , Lavanchy Daniel , Müllhaupt Beat , Negro Francesco , Razavi Homie , Scheidegger Claude , Semela David , Semmo Nasser , Blach Sarah
Published: November 2021

Background

Switzerland has made strides towards hepatitis C virus elimination, but as of 2019, elimination was not guaranteed. However, political interest in viral hepatitis has been increasing. We sought to develop a better understanding of Switzerland's progress towards HCV elimination and the profile of remaining HCV‐RNA‐positive patients.

Methods

A previously described Markov model was updated with recent diagnosis and treatment data and run to generate new forecasts for HCV disease burden. Two scenarios were developed to evaluate HCV morbidity and mortality under the status quo and a scenario that achieves the Swiss Hepatitis Strategy Elimination targets. Next, an analysis was conducted to identify population segments bearing a high burden of disease, where future elimination efforts could be directed.

Results

At the beginning of 2020, an estimated 32 100 viremic infections remained in Switzerland (0.37% viremic prevalence). Adult (≥18 years of age) permanent residents born abroad represented the largest subpopulation, accounting for 56% of HCV infections. Thirteen countries accounted for ≥60% of viremic infections amongst permanent residents born abroad, with most people currently residing in Zurich, Vaud, Geneva, Bern, Aargau and Ticino. Amongst Swiss‐born HCV‐RNA‐positive persons, two‐thirds had a history of IDU, corresponding to 33% of total infections.

Conclusions

In Switzerland, extra efforts for diagnosis and linkage to care are warranted in foreign‐born populations and people with a history of drug use. Population‐level measures (eg increasing the number of providers, increase screening) can identify patients who may have otherwise fallen through the gaps or avoided care because of stigma.
Novel genome characteristics contribute to the invasiveness of Phragmites australis (common reed)
Authors: Oh Dong‐Ha , Kowalski Kurt P. , Quach Quynh N. , Wijesinghege Chathura , Tanford Philippa , Dassanayake Maheshi , Clay Keith
Published: November 2021

The rapid invasion of the non‐native Phragmites australis (Poaceae, subfamily Arundinoideae) is a major threat to native wetland ecosystems in North America and elsewhere. We describe the first reference genome for P. australis and compare invasive (ssp. australis) and native (ssp. americanus) genotypes collected from replicated populations across the Laurentian Great Lakes to deduce genomic bases driving its invasive success. Here, we report novel genomic features including a Phragmites lineage‐specific whole genome duplication, followed by gene loss and preferential retention of genes associated with transcription factors and regulatory functions in the remaining duplicates. Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed that genes associated with biotic stress and defence responses were expressed at a higher basal level in invasive genotypes, but native genotypes showed a stronger induction of defence responses when challenged by a fungal endophyte. The reference genome and transcriptomes, combined with previous ecological and environmental data, add to our understanding of mechanisms leading to invasiveness and support the development of novel, genomics‐assisted management approaches for invasive Phragmites.
A rice gene encoding glycosyl hydrolase plays contrasting roles in immunity depending on the type of pathogens
Authors: Kim Chi‐Yeol , Park Ju‐Young , Choi Gobong , Kim Seongbeom , Vo Kieu Thi Xuan , Jeon Jong‐Seong , Kang Seogchan , Lee Yong‐Hwan
Published: November 2021

Because pathogens use diverse infection strategies, plants cannot use one‐size‐fits‐all defence and modulate defence responses based on the nature of pathogens and pathogenicity mechanism. Here, we report that a rice glycoside hydrolase (GH) plays contrasting roles in defence depending on whether a pathogen is hemibiotrophic or necrotrophic. The Arabidopsis thaliana MORE1 (Magnaporthe oryzae resistance 1) gene, encoding a member of the GH10 family, is needed for resistance against M. oryzae and Alternaria brassicicola, a fungal pathogen infecting A. thaliana as a necrotroph. Among 13 rice genes homologous to MORE1, 11 genes were induced during the biotrophic or necrotrophic stage of infection by M. oryzae. CRISPR/Cas9‐assisted disruption of one of them (OsMORE1a) enhanced resistance against hemibiotrophic pathogens M. oryzae and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae but increased susceptibility to Cochliobolus miyabeanus, a necrotrophic fungus, suggesting that OsMORE1a acts as a double‐edged sword depending on the mode of infection (hemibiotrophic vs. necrotrophic). We characterized molecular and cellular changes caused by the loss of MORE1 and OsMORE1a to understand how these genes participate in modulating defence responses. Although the underlying mechanism of action remains unknown, both genes appear to affect the expression of many defence‐related genes. Expression patterns of the GH10 family genes in A. thaliana and rice suggest that other members also participate in pathogen defence.
Ambiguities in Pope Francis's Message of Mercy
Authors: Roy Louis
Published: November 2021

This essay purports to discuss some of Pope Francis's ambiguities. It is divided into seven sections. I present his background. I acknowledge the significance of his message of mercy and, based on Bernard Lonergan and Ladislas Örsy, I show how mercy ought to be wisely practised. I discuss Francis's Bergsonian epistemology, which I deem inadequate. I deplore his ambiguities about uncertainty. I then proceed to detail two impasses, which he has not overcome, at least until now: the possibility of ordaining women to the priesthood and the possibility of admitting Gays and Lesbians to eucharistic communion. I finally conclude with an appeal to a constructive and critical dialogue.
Light‐dependent activation of HY5 promotes mycorrhizal symbiosis in tomato by systemically regulating strigolactone biosynthesis
Authors: Ge Shibei , He Liqun , Jin Lijuan , Xia Xiaojian , Li Lan , Ahammed Golam Jalal , Qi Zhenyu , Yu Jingquan , Zhou Yanhong
Published: November 2021

Light quality affects mutualisms between plant roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs), which modify nutrient acquisition in plants. However, the mechanisms by which light systemically modulates root colonization by AMFs and phosphate uptake in roots remain unclear.

We used a range of approaches, including grafting techniques, protein immunoblot analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and dual‐luciferase assays, to unveil the molecular basis of light signal transmission from shoot to root that mediates arbuscule development and phosphate uptake in tomato.

The results show that shoot phytochrome B (phyB) triggers shoot‐derived mobile ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) protein accumulation in roots, and HY5 further positively regulates transcription of strigolactone (SL) synthetic genes, thus forming a shoot phyB‐dependent systemic signaling pathway that regulates the synthesis and accumulation of SLs in roots. Further experiments with carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 7 mutants and supplementary red light confirm that SLs are indispensable in the red‐light‐regulated mycorrhizal symbiosis in roots.

Our results reveal a phyB–HY5–SLs systemic signaling cascade that facilitates mycorrhizal symbiosis and phosphate utilization in plants. The findings provide new prospects for the potential application of AMFs and light manipulation to effectively improve nutrient utilization and minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and associated pollution.
Is there a role for lung‐protective ventilation in healthy children?
Authors: Heath Chloe , Hauser Neil
Published: November 2021

Lung‐protective ventilation (LPV) has been adopted in the theater environment as a strategy to reduce pulmonary complications under anesthesia. Postoperative pulmonary complications are not infrequent and may have significant implications on the postoperative length of stay as well as the morbidity and mortality of pediatric patients. There is evidence in the adult literature to suggest that intraoperative LPV strategies may reduce the risk of such complications. The utility of LPV strategies in healthy children is not well researched, and the data from critical care studies appear to be conflicting. To ascertain the value of intraoperative LPV in pediatric patients, it is important to understand the pathophysiology of pediatric ventilator‐induced lung injury and the basis of LPV strategies. The current evidence in adult and pediatric populations, including pediatric intensive care, is reviewed to gain insight into the role and value of intraoperative LPV for pediatric patients.
The Cost Burden of Safety Risk Incidents on Construction: A Probabilistic Quantification Method
Authors: Alkaissy Maryam , Arashpour Mehrdad , Wakefield Ron , Hosseini Reza , Gill Peter
Published: November 2021

The construction sector is vulnerable to safety risk incidents due to its dynamic nature. Although numerous research efforts and technological advancements have focused on addressing workplace injuries, most of the studies perform empirical and deterministic postimpact evaluations on construction project performance. The effective modeling of the safety risk impacts on project performance provides decisionmakers with a valuable tool toward incidents prevention and proper safety risk management. Therefore, this study collected Australian incident records from the construction industry from 2016 onwards and conducted discrete event simulation to quantitatively measure the impact of safety risk incidents on project cost performance. Moreover, this study investigated the correlation between safety risk incidents and the age of injured workers. The findings show a strong correlation between the middle‐aged workforce and the severity of incidents on project cost overruns. The ex‐ante, nondeterministic analysis of safety risk impacts on project performance provides insightful results that will advance safety management theory in the direction of achieving zero harm workplace environments.
The phosphoproteomic and interactomic landscape of qGL3/OsPPKL1‐mediated brassinosteroid signaling in rice
Authors: Gao Xiuying , Zhang Jiaqi , Li Jianbo , Wang Yuji , Zhang Rong , Du Huaying , Yin Jing , Cai Guang , Wang Ruqin , Zhang Baoyi , Zhao Zhuang , Zhang Hongsheng , Huang Ji
Published: November 2021

Oryza sativa L. (rice) is one of the most important crops in the world, and grain size is a major component determining rice yield. Recent studies have identified a number of grain size regulators, which are involved in phytohormone signaling, G protein signaling, the mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway, the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway or transcriptional regulation. In a previous study, we cloned qGL3/OsPPKL1 encoding a rice protein phosphatase that negatively modulates brassinosteroid (BR) signaling and grain length. Here, to further explore the qGL3‐mediated BR signaling network, we performed phosphoproteomic screenings using two pairs of rice materials: the indica rice cultivar 9311 and its near‐isogenic line NILqgl3 and the japonica rice cultivar Dongjin and its qGL3 knockout mutant m‐qgl3. Together with qGL3‐interacting proteins, we constructed the qGL3‐mediated network, which reveals the relationships between BR signaling and other critical signaling pathways. Transgenic plants of these network components showed BR‐related alterations in plant architecture. From this network, we validated a qGL3‐interacting protein, O. sativa VERNALIZATION INSENSITIVE 3‐LIKE 1 (OsVIL1), and demonstrated that qGL3 dephosphorylates OsVIL1 to modulate BR signaling. The qGL3‐dependent network uncovered in this study increases our understanding of BR signaling and provides a profound foundation for addressing how BR modulates plant architecture in rice.
Polarization fluctuation of BaTiO3 at unit cell level mapped by four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Eldred Tim B. , Smith Jacob G. , Gao Wenpei
Published: December 2021

Diffraction analysis in four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy now enables the mapping of local structures including symmetry, strain, and polarization of materials. However, measuring the distribution of these configurations at the unit cell level remains a challenge because most analysis methods require the diffraction disks to be separated, limiting the electron probe sizes to be larger than a unit cell. Here, we show improved spatial resolution in mapping the polarization displacement and phases of BaTiO3 sampled at a rate equivalent to the size of the projected unit cells using 4D-STEM. This improvement in spatial resolution is accomplished by masking out the overlapping regions in partially overlapped convergent beam electron diffraction patterns. By reducing the probe size to the order of single projected unit cells in size, the measurement shows local fluctuation within the nanosized rhombohedral domains in tetragonal phased BaTiO3, indicating the origin of phase transition and evolution across different length scales.
Dependence of the internal geometry for the calculation of the Helmholtz frequency in an axisymmetrical acoustic resonator
Authors: Valière Jean-Christophe , Prax Christian
Published: December 2021

The well-known formula of Helmholtz is well established and perfectly suited to predict the resonance frequency of cylindrical resonators when using neck length corrections. The potteries celled in the walls of medieval buildings are the object of archaeological studies where the knowledge of their volume is the starting point to deduce their origin. The frequency measurement and Helmholtz's formula is a clever way to get the volume without touching the building in situ. However, the internal corrections which suppose an interior abrupt connection condition are less effective because this assumption is not realistic for the complex shape of potteries. This study investigates internal corrections for two types of often observed geometries of potteries with conical or parabolic transitions between the neck and the volume. Correction formulas are proposed according to both an experimental and a numerical study.
Strong Southern Ocean carbon uptake evident in airborne observations
Authors: Long Matthew C. , Stephens Britton B. , McKain Kathryn , Sweeney Colm , Keeling Ralph F. , Kort Eric A. , Morgan Eric J. , Bent Jonathan D. , Chandra Naveen , Chevallier Frederic , Commane Róisín , Daube Bruce C. , Krummel Paul B. , Loh Zoë , Luijkx Ingrid T. , Munro David , Patra Prabir , Peters Wouter , Ramonet Michel , Rödenbeck Christian , Stavert Ann , Tans Pieter , Wofsy Steven C.
Published: December 2021

Up in the air

Understanding ocean-atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO
2
) fluxes in the Southern Ocean is necessary for quantifying the global CO
2
budget, but measurements in the harsh conditions there make collecting good data difficult, so a quantitative picture still is out of reach. Long
et al
. present measurements of atmospheric CO
2
concentrations made by aircraft and show that the annual net flux of carbon into the ocean south of 45°S is large, with stronger summertime uptake and less wintertime outgassing than other recent observations have indicated. —HJS
Probing topological spin liquids on a programmable quantum simulator
Authors: Semeghini G. , Levine H. , Keesling A. , Ebadi S. , Wang T. T. , Bluvstein D. , Verresen R. , Pichler H. , Kalinowski M. , Samajdar R. , Omran A. , Sachdev S. , Vishwanath A. , Greiner M. , Vuletić V. , Lukin M. D.
Published: December 2021

Synthesizing topological order

Topologically ordered matter exhibits long-range quantum entanglement. However, measuring this entanglement in real materials is extremely tricky. Now, two groups take a different approach and turn to synthetic systems to engineer the topological order of the so-called toric code type (see the Perspective by Bartlett). Satzinger
et al
. used a quantum processor to study the ground state and excitations of the toric code. Semeghini
et al
. detected signatures of a toric code–type quantum spin liquid in a two-dimensional array of Rydberg atoms held in optical tweezers. —JS
Effect of prophylactic dextrose gel on the neonatal gut microbiome
Authors: St Clair Sophie L , Harding Jane E , O’Sullivan Justin M , Gamble Gregory D , Alsweiler Jane M , Vatanen Tommi
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine the effect of prophylactic dextrose gel on the infant gut microbiome.

Design

Observational cohort study nested in a randomised trial.

Setting

Three maternity hospitals in New Zealand.

Patients

Infants at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia whose parents consented to participation in the hypoglycaemia Prevention in newborns with Oral Dextrose trial (hPOD). Infants were randomised to receive prophylactic dextrose gel or placebo gel, or were not randomised and received no gel (controls). Stool samples were collected on days 1, 7 and 28.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was microbiome beta-diversity at 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes were beta-diversity, alpha-diversity, bacterial DNA concentration, microbial community stability and relative abundance of individual bacterial taxa at each time point.

Results

We analysed 434 stool samples from 165 infants using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. There were no differences between groups in beta-diversity at 4 weeks (p=0.49). There were also no differences between groups in any other microbiome measures including beta-diversity (p=0.53 at day 7), alpha-diversity (p=0.46 for day 7 and week 4), bacterial DNA concentration (p=0.91), microbial community stability (p=0.52) and microbial relative abundance at genus level. There was no evidence that exposure to any dextrose gel (prophylaxis or treatment) had any effect on the microbiome. Mode of birth, type of milk fed, hospital of birth and ethnicity were all associated with differences in the neonatal microbiome.

Conclusions

Clinicians and consumers can be reassured that dextrose gel used for prophylaxis or treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia does not alter the neonatal gut microbiome.

Trial registration number

12614001263684.
Waning infant pertussis during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Falkenstein-Hagander Kathy , Appelqvist Emma , Cavefors Ann-Sofie Frisk , Källberg Henrik , Nilsson Lennart Jan , Silfverdal Sven-Arne , Storsaeter Jann , Aronsson Bernice
Published: December 2021

Measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have been associated with reduction in other respiratory infections. Results of a national Swedish cohort study of infant pertussis during April 2020–September 2021 were compared with those during January 2014–March 2020. The number of pertussis cases decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, from an average of 21 infant cases per quarter of a year before the pandemic to an average of 1 case per quarter during the pandemic. Swedish strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 seem to have had an impact on pertussis incidence in infants.
Applying topic modelling and qualitative content analysis to identify and characterise ENDS product promotion and sales on Instagram
Authors: Shah Neal , Nali Matthew , Bardier Cortni , Li Jiawei , Maroulis James , Cuomo Raphael , Mackey Tim K
Published: December 2021

Background

Increased public health and regulatory scrutiny concerning the youth vaping epidemic has led to greater attention to promotion and sales of vaping products on social media platforms.

Objectives

We used unsupervised machine learning to identify and characterise sale offers of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and associated products on Instagram. We examined types of sellers, geographic ENDS location and use of age verification.

Methods

Our methodology was composed of three phases: data collection, topic modelling and content analysis. We used data mining approaches to query hashtags related to ENDS product use among young adults to collect Instagram posts. For topic modelling, we applied an unsupervised machine learning approach to thematically categorise and identify topic clusters associated with selling activity. Content analysis was then used to characterise offers for sale of ENDS products.

Results

From 70 725 posts, we identified 3331 engaged in sale of ENDS products. Posts originated from 20 different countries and were roughly split between individual (46.3%) and retail sellers (43.4%), with linked online sellers (8.8%) representing a smaller volume. ENDS products most frequently offered for sale were flavoured e-liquids (53.0%) and vaping devices (20.5%). Online sellers offering flavoured e-liquids were less likely to use age verification at point of purchase (29% vs 64%) compared with other products.

Conclusions

Instagram is a global venue for unregulated ENDS sales, including flavoured products, and access to websites lacking age verification. Such posts may violate Instagram’s policies and US federal and state law, necessitating more robust review and enforcement to prevent ENDS uptake and access.
Chaotic system constructed by product trigonometric function and polynomial and applied to color image encryption
Authors: Yu Wanbo , Gong Siyu
Published: December 2021

In the applied research of nonlinear system, the low degree of chaos in the dynamical system leads to the limitation of using the chaos method to solve some practical problems. In this paper, we use the product trigonometric function and ternary polynomial to build a dynamical system, which has strong chaotic characteristics. The dynamical system is constructed by two product trigonometric functions and a ternary linear equation, and its chaotic properties are verified by bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, fractal dimensions, etc. The system has many parameters and large parameter intervals and is not prone to cycles. The conditions for the non-divergence of this system are given by mathematical derivation, and it is found that the linear part of the system can be replaced by an arbitrary ternary polynomial system and still not diverge, and the bifurcation diagram is drawn to verify it. Finally, the chaotic sequence is distributed more uniformly in the value domain space by adding the modulo operation. Then, the bit matrix of multiple images is directly permuted by the above system, and the experiment confirms that the histogram, information entropy, and pixel correlation of its encrypted images are satisfactory, as well as a very large key space.
A New Two-Parameter Burr-Hatke Distribution: Properties and Bayesian and Non-Bayesian Inference with Applications
Authors: Afify Ahmed Z. , Aljohani Hassan M. , Alghamdi Abdulaziz S. , Gemeay Ahmed M. , Sarg Abdullah M.
Published: November 2021

This article introduces a two-parameter flexible extension of the Burr-Hatke distribution using the inverse-power transformation. The failure rate of the new distribution can be an increasing shape, a decreasing shape, or an upside-down bathtub shape. Some of its mathematical properties are calculated. Ten estimation methods, including classical and Bayesian techniques, are discussed to estimate the model parameters. The Bayes estimators for the unknown parameters, based on the squared error, general entropy, and linear exponential loss functions, are provided. The ranking and behavior of these methods are assessed by simulation results with their partial and overall ranks. Finally, the flexibility of the proposed distribution is illustrated empirically using two real-life datasets. The analyzed data shows that the introduced distribution provides a superior fit than some important competing distributions such as the Weibull, Fréchet, gamma, exponential, inverse log-logistic, inverse weighted Lindley, inverse Pareto, inverse Nakagami-M, and Burr-Hatke distributions.