bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of defoliation on the resistance and tolerance of rice, Oryza sativa, to root injury by the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus
Authors: Kraus Emily C. , Stout Michael J.
Published: April 2019

Understanding plant‐mediated interactions in agricultural systems may facilitate the development of novel and improved management practices, which is important, as management of these insects is currently heavily reliant on insecticides. The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Prodeniini), is a sporadic pest of rice fields in the southern USA. In southwestern Louisiana, this defoliating insect typically attacks rice early in the growth season, before fields are flooded. Defoliation by fall armyworm larvae may trigger increased expression of plant defenses, which may result in increased resistance to subsequent herbivores. The rice water weevil (RWW), Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Stenopelmini), enters rice fields as an adult both before and after flooding, but oviposition and larval infestation occur only after fields are flooded. RWW may be affected by changes in plant resistance caused by fall armyworm defoliation before flooding. The objectives of this study were to investigate the plant‐mediated effects of natural and artificial defoliation on population densities of RWW larvae after flooding and on the ability of rice plants to compensate for root injury by RWW larvae. In the 2015 season, fall armyworm defoliation before flooding resulted in reduced RWW densities after flooding. However, in 2016 no significant effects of fall armyworm defoliation on densities of RWW larvae were detected. Similarly, mechanical defoliation of rice before flooding did not affect RWW densities after flooding. Although lowest yields were observed in plots subjected to both root injury and defoliation, there was little evidence of a greater than additive reduction in yields from simultaneous injury. These results suggest a lack of plant‐mediated interactions among these two pests in rice in the southern USA.
The Need for a Theology of Resilience, Coexistence, and Hope
Authors: Jackelén Antje
Published: April 2019

In many countries of the world, people are drinking a dangerous cocktail of poisonous ingredients all starting with the letter P: polarization, populism, protectionism, post‐truth, and patriarchy. As Christians, we cannot do other than work against this. In order to do so, we need to make use of the resources we have in spirituality and theology. This article reflects on these resources in the Lutheran tradition, asking how we, together, are church in this world.
The Challenge and Urgency of Gender Inclusion in Theological Education
Authors: Ortega Ofelia
Published: April 2019

Twenty years after the conclusion of the Ecumenical Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with Women, this article considers the development and the need for inclusion of gender in the sphere of theological reflection and education in Latin America and the Caribbean. Rather than a historical account, it proposes an approach that works toward thinking about and developing a new form of relationship between women and men, and between them and today's society and church.
Evidence for adaptive responses to historic drought across a native plant species range
Authors: Dickman Erin E. , Pennington Lillie K. , Franks Steven J. , Sexton Jason P.
Published: April 2019

As climatic conditions change, species will be forced to move or adapt to avoid extinction. Exacerbated by ongoing climate change, California recently experienced a severe and exceptional drought from 2011 to 2017. To investigate whether an adaptive response occurred during this event, we conducted a “resurrection” study of the cutleaf monkeyflower (Mimulus laciniatus), an annual plant, by comparing trait means and variances of ancestral seed collections (“pre‐drought”) with contemporary descendant collections (“drought”). Plants were grown under common conditions to test whether this geographically restricted species has the capacity to respond evolutionarily to climate stress across its range. We examined if traits shifted in response to the recent, severe drought and included populations across an elevation gradient, including populations at the low‐ and high‐elevation edges of the species range. We found that time to seedling emergence in the drought generation was significantly earlier than in the pre‐drought generation, a response consistent with drought adaptation. Additionally, trait variation in days to emergence was reduced in the drought generation, which suggests selection or bottleneck events. Days to first flower increased significantly by elevation, consistent with climate adaptation across the species range. Drought generation plants were larger and had greater reproduction, which was likely a carryover effect of earlier germination. These results demonstrate that rapid shifts in trait means and variances consistent with climate adaptation are occurring within populations, including peripheral populations at warm and cold climate limits, of a plant species with a relatively restricted range that has so far not shifted its elevation distribution during contemporary climate change. Thus, rapid evolution may mitigate, at least temporarily, range shifts under global climate change. This study highlights the need for better understanding rapid adaptation as a means for plant communities to cope with extraordinary climate events.
Phytoplankton growth and stoichiometric responses to warming, nutrient addition and grazing depend on lake productivity and cell size
Authors: Schulhof Marika A. , Shurin Jonathan B. , Declerck Steven A. J. , Van de Waal Dedmer B.
Published: April 2019

Global change involves shifts in multiple environmental factors that act in concert to shape ecological systems in ways that depend on local biotic and abiotic conditions. Little is known about the effects of combined global change stressors on phytoplankton communities, and particularly how these are mediated by distinct community properties such as productivity, grazing pressure and size distribution. Here, we tested for the effects of warming and eutrophication on phytoplankton net growth rate and C:N:P stoichiometry in two phytoplankton cell size fractions (<30 µm and >30 µm) in the presence and absence of grazing in microcosm experiments. Because effects may also depend on lake productivity, we used phytoplankton communities from three Dutch lakes spanning a trophic gradient. We measured the response of each community to multifactorial combinations of temperature, nutrient, and grazing treatments and found that nutrients elevated net growth rates and reduced carbon:nutrient ratios of all three phytoplankton communities. Warming effects on growth and stoichiometry depended on nutrient supply and lake productivity, with enhanced growth in the most productive community dominated by cyanobacteria, and strongest stoichiometric responses in the most oligotrophic community at ambient nutrient levels. Grazing effects were also most evident in the most oligotrophic community, with reduced net growth rates and phytoplankton C:P stoichiometry that suggests consumer‐driven nutrient recycling. Our experiments indicate that stoichiometric responses to warming and interactions with nutrient addition and grazing are not universal but depend on lake productivity and cell size distribution.
Communicating equality through policy documents: On legitimacy, double logic and stable translations
Authors: Krekula Clary , Karlsson Stefan , Engström Lars‐Gunnar , Grip Lena
Published: April 2019

This article discusses gender mainstreaming (GMS) as a strategy to implement gender equality in public work organizations by analysing discourse in terms of the theoretical notions of translation and circulation in organizations to shed light on how gender equality and the mainstreaming strategy are formulated in the documents which govern the Swedish fire and rescue services. More specifically, it looks at how the goals regarding gender equality are circulated and translated. The results show that gender equality as a practice is created in the translation of national goals in terms of the local context and its specific gender equality challenges. Furthermore, the article discusses how vague formulations in the documents are stabilized through circulation between the government and the public agency in question. The results indicate the central role played by maintaining stable translations over time and the presence of a double logic of change in the processes, as well as the importance of legitimizing gender equality initiatives.
A C‐terminal CXCL8 peptide based on chemokine–glycosaminoglycan interactions reduces neutrophil adhesion and migration during inflammation
Authors: Martínez‐Burgo Beatriz , Cobb Steven L. , Pohl Ehmke , Kashanin Dmitry , Paul Toby , Kirby John A. , Sheerin Neil S. , Ali Simi
Published: April 2019

Leucocyte recruitment is critical during many acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Chemokines are key mediators of leucocyte recruitment during the inflammatory response, by signalling through specific chemokine G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs). In addition, chemokines interact with cell‐surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to generate a chemotactic gradient. The chemokine interleukin‐8/CXCL8, a prototypical neutrophil chemoattractant, is characterized by a long, highly positively charged GAG‐binding C‐terminal region, absent in most other chemokines. To examine whether the CXCL8 C‐terminal peptide has a modulatory role in GAG binding during neutrophil recruitment, we synthesized the wild‐type CXCL8 C‐terminal [CXCL8 (54–72)] (Peptide 1), a peptide with a substitution of glutamic acid (E) 70 with lysine (K) (Peptide 2) to increase positive charge; and also, a scrambled sequence peptide (Peptide 3). Surface plasmon resonance showed that Peptide 1, corresponding to the core CXCL8 GAG‐binding region, binds to GAG but Peptide 2 binding was detected at lower concentrations. In the absence of cellular GAG, the peptides did not affect CXCL8‐induced calcium signalling or neutrophil chemotaxis along a diffusion gradient, suggesting no effect on GPCR binding. All peptides equally inhibited neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells under physiological flow conditions. Peptide 2, with its greater positive charge and binding to polyanionic GAG, inhibited CXCL8‐induced neutrophil transendothelial migration. Our studies suggest that the E70K CXCL8 peptide, may serve as a lead molecule for further development of therapeutic inhibitors of neutrophil‐mediated inflammation based on modulation of chemokine–GAG binding.
Photocurrents in crystal‐amorphous hybrid stannous oxide/alumina binary nanofibers
Authors: Ling JinKiong , Pal Bhupender , Chong KwokFeng , Schmidt‐Mende Lukas , Bisquert Juan , Jose Rajan
Published: April 2019

Suppression of charge recombination by thin amorphous alumina layers on metal oxide semiconductors has demonstrated a vital role in electronic appliances beside its role as an insulator. This study reports effect of amorphous alumina (Al2O3) on the structural, electrical, and optical properties of stannous oxide (SnO2). The samples for the present study are prepared as nanofibers by electrospinning a polymeric solution containing aluminum and stannous precursors and subsequent annealing; six samples with varying concentrations of aluminum and stannous are considered. A crystal‐amorphous SnO2/Al2O3 hybrid system was confirmed by both XRD and XPS analysis. Both BET and Mott‐Schottky analysis showed increase in the surface area and conduction band minimum of the sample with increase in the Al content, however, at the expense of its electrical conductivity. The electron lifetime of the sample increased with increase in the Al content, but the electron transport time increase with decrease in the electrical conductivity of the sample. Both Urbach energy measurement and Stoke's shift showed generation of deeper trap state with increase in the Al content. Investigation on sample photovoltaic performance showed that the loss in electrical conductivity of the sample can be compensated by the improved surface area to a certain extent. Interestingly, a composite nanofiber containing equal molar fraction of aluminum and stannous showed orders of magnitude higher photocurrent despite its similar resistivity as that of pure alumina fibers, which is shown to originate from a Fermi energy gradient at the Al2O3/SnO2 interface.
Improved magnetic and electromagnetic absorption properties of xSrFe12O19/(1−x)NiFe2O4 composites
Authors: Liu Yin , Wang Zhecheng , Zhao Li , Zhou Jun , Wang Yueqin
Published: April 2019

xSrFe12O19/(1−x)NiFe2O4 composites (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) were synthesized by using a conventional solid‐state synthetic route. The results show that magnetic hysteresis loops of the xSrFe12O19/(1−x)NiFe2O4 composites are similar to those of individual component ferrites, except for the 0.1SrFe12O19/0.9NiFe2O4 and 0.3SrFe12O19/0.7NiFe2O4, suggesting that the hard/soft magnetic phases are well exchange‐coupled. The saturation magnetization, coercivity, and remanent magnetization of the xSrFe12O19/(1−x)NiFe2O4 composites are increased with increasing content of SrFe12O19, with maximal values of 42.1 Am2 kg−1, 78.7 kA m−1, 17.2 Am2 kg−1, respectively, as the content x is about 0.5. They are higher than those of the individual components, implying that interface coupling is present in the magnetic composites. The coercivity and remanent magnetization of the composites are increased initially with increasing sintering temperature and then show a downward tendency. For the component SrFe12O19 and NiFe2O4, the minimum reflection losses are −12.5 dB and −18.3 dB at match thicknesses of 2.5 mm and 2 mm, respectively. Compared with those of the component SrFe12O19 and NiFe2O4, the microwave absorption performances of the xSrFe12O19/(1−x)NiFe2O4 composites are improved remarkably, especially for the samples of x = 0.3 and x = 0.9. The minimum reflection losses values of the 0.3SrFe12O19/0.7NiFe2O4 composite are −31.6 dB (12.7 GHz) and −20.2 dB (13 GHz), while those of the 0.9SrFe12O19/0.1NiFe2O4 composites are −23.7 dB (16.3 GHz) and −33.5 dB (15.8 GHz), as the matching thicknesses are 2.5 mm and 2 mm, respectively. Therefore, the xSrFe12O19/(1−x)NiFe2O4 composites could be used as potential microwave absorption materials.
Zero stress aging in notched multi‐component glass fibers
Authors: Van Sant Joseph , Diercks David , Fett Theo , Reimanis Ivar E.
Published: April 2019

Degradation of glass under zero applied load in the presence of humidity at ambient temperature is of great interest to the container and fiber glass industries. The phenomenon is well documented for fused silica used in optical fibers, but has not been studied in detail for multi‐component glasses. In this work notches of varying length (500‐1500 nm) were placed with a focused ion beam into two types of multi‐component glass fibers, E‐glass (48 μm diameter) and soda‐lime‐silicate (35 μm diameter). Notched specimens were exposed to dry and humid conditions for up to 32 days. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of extensive reaction products within the root of the notch, even after only 1 day of aging in the nominally dry environment for the soda‐lime‐silicate glass. Surprisingly, the extensive reactions have no measurable effect on the fiber strength. The uniaxial tensile strength of the notched glass fibers, measured with the fracture surface mirror radius method, does not follow a classic fracture mechanics prediction, implying that the notches are not classic Griffith flaws. Fracture mechanics is applied to show that sharpness at the notch base may be important, especially when subcritical crack growth is present during the strength measurement.
Structure and microwave dielectric characteristics of Sr2[Ti1−x(Al0.5Nb0.5)x]O4 (x ≤ 0.50) ceramics
Authors: Hameed Iqra , Wu Shu Ya , Li Lei , Liu Xiao Qiang , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: April 2019

Sr2[Ti1−x(Al0.5Nb0.5)x]O4 (x = 0, 0.10, 0.25, 0.30, 0.5) ceramics were synthesized by a standard solid‐state reaction process. Sr2[Ti1−x(Al0.5Nb0.5)x]O4 solid solutions with tetragonal Ruddlesdon‐Popper (R‐P) structure in space group I4/mmm were obtained within x ≤ 0.50, and only minor amount (1‐2 wt%) of Sr3Ti2O7 secondary phase was detected for the compositions x ≥ 0.25. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τf of Sr2[Ti1−x(Al0.5Nb0.5)x]O4 ceramics was significantly improved from 132 to 14 ppm/°C correlated with the increase in degree of covalency (%) with increasing x. The dielectric constant ɛr decreased linearly with increasing x, while high Qf value was maintained though it decreased firstly. The variation tendency of Qf value was dependent on the trend of packing fraction combined with the microstructure. Good combination of microwave dielectric properties was achieved for x = 0.50: ɛr = 25.1, Qf = 77 580 GHz, τf = 14 ppm/°C. The present ceramics could be expected as new candidates of ultra‐high Q microwave dielectric materials without noble element such as Ta.
Multiple colonizations, hybridization and uneven diversification in Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) lineages on Hawai'i Island
Authors: Johnson Melissa A. , Pillon Yohan , Sakishima Tomoko , Price Donald K. , Stacy Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2019

Aim

The diversity and composition of species pools within oceanic archipelagos is determined by a combination of colonization, abiotic tolerance, in situ diversification, biotic interactions and extinction. The signature of biogeographic events and evolutionary processes, however, may be masked by recent coalescence and hybridization between closely related species. We used the species‐rich plant genus Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae) to investigate the roles of colonization and hybridization in shaping community assemblages on the geologically young Hawai'i Island.

Location

Hawaiian Islands.

Taxon

Cyrtandra (Gesneriaceae).

Methods

We sampled 29 Cyrtandra taxa and putative hybrids across the main Hawaiian Islands and generated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from nine single‐copy nuclear genes. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships, divergence times were estimated using secondary calibrations and island ages, and ancestral area estimation was done using likelihood models. Lastly, we used a Bayesian population assignment test and principal components analysis to infer population genetic structure.

Results

Cyrtandra colonization of the main Hawaiian Islands appears to have followed the progression rule, whereby the oldest high Hawaiian Islands (Kaua'i and O'ahu) were colonized first, followed by colonization of the younger islands as habitat became available. Hawai'i Island was colonized four times, with two dispersal events from O'ahu and two from Maui Nui. The different colonization events gave rise to significantly uneven numbers of species, and hybridization among the incipient lineages was detected in the form of intermediate genotypes.

Main conclusions

Our investigation into community assembly in a species‐rich plant genus on a geologically young oceanic island revealed a history of multiple colonizations and hybridization among colonizing lineages. The rapid diversification (3.5 species/My) of one of four Cyrtandra lineages on Hawai'i Island may be the result of hybridization between genetically diverse lineages that stem from independent colonization events. Multiple colonization events followed by a merging of lineages may be particularly common during early‐stage community assembly on islands and, through the generation of genetic variation, may be especially important for species diversification.
The psychological and aesthetic impact of age‐related hair changes in females
Authors: Ahluwalia Jusleen , Fabi Sabrina G.
Published: April 2019

Background

While dermatologists focus on practices to promote anti‐aging, thinning hair that frames a more rejuvenated face can affect age perception and cosmesis.

Objectives

To characterize the effects of age‐related hair changes on age determination and perceived attractiveness.

Methods

A search was conducted for articles on intrinsic and extrinsic aging as it relates to hair. Key studies on the hair aging process and its effects on self‐perception, confidence, and anti‐aging were reviewed.

Results

According to several studies, hair density peaks about 27 years of age or earlier and then decreases from the mid‐thirties onward. This serves as an opportunity to prevent or treat hair loss in a similar way we treat aging skin. Without optimizing appearance of hair, overall cosmesis to foster self‐perception can be curtailed despite multiple efforts to rejuvenate and restore the aging face.

Conclusion

The discrepancy between rejuvenated faces and thinner appearing hair that frames the face highlights the importance of a holistic approach to the anti‐aging consultation. To more comprehensively address the aesthetic patient, we need to promote awareness of the onset of these hair changes in order to incorporate prevention and therapeutic strategies to preserve hair to complement overall appearance.
Tadpoles modulate antipredator responses according to the abundance of vegetation experienced during the embryonic stage
Authors: Lucon‐Xiccato T.
Published: April 2019

Because of the selection pressures imposed by predation and the costs of antipredator responses, prey often exhibit phenotypically plastic behavioural defences that vary with risk level. For anuran larvae, the presence of vegetation is a critical environmental factor that predicts predation risk: in habitats with abundant vegetation, tadpoles are much less likely to be caught by fish and invertebrate predators. Hence, tadpoles might display the ability to match their antipredator behaviour with the amount of vegetation in the environment. I investigated this hypothesis by comparing the acute antipredator responses of tadpoles experimentally raised under high‐vegetation and low‐vegetation treatment from the egg stage. To address at which developmental stage the behavioural plasticity appeared, I additionally tested two groups of tadpoles that switched from a high‐ to low‐vegetation habitat and vice versa soon after hatching. I observed a stronger antipredator response in tadpoles that experienced the environment with abundant vegetation at the embryonic stage. The environment experienced during the larval stage did not affect the tadpoles' antipredator behaviour. The direction of the observed plasticity aligns with the prediction of the risk allocation model. Therefore, my study seems to support the hypothesis that tadpoles can tune their antipredator behaviour not only based on the direct risk experienced (i.e. the number of predatory attacks) but also based on vegetation, an environmental factor that indirectly predicts predation risk.
More yellow more toxic? Sex rather than alkaloid content is correlated with yellow coloration in the fire salamander
Authors: Preißler K. , Gippner S. , Lüddecke T. , Krause E. T. , Schulz S. , Vences M. , Steinfartz S.
Published: April 2019

Prey species signalling their toxicity to potential predators via conspicuous coloration occur frequently in nature. This survival strategy, called aposematism, is thought to be successful when based on honest qualitative or quantitative signalling of toxicity and predator learning behaviour. However, evidence supporting these basic assumptions is absent for most species considered aposematic. Due to their conspicuous black and yellow coloration – in combination with the production of toxic steroidal alkaloids – fire salamanders (genus Salamandra) are textbook examples of aposematism; but whether this signal combination meets the requirements to be considered aposematic in a strict sense remains unclear. We therefore tested one assumption that would support aposematism in this species, that is, whether the alkaloid content is honestly correlated with their warning coloration. We studied fire salamanders (Salamandra salamandra terrestris) from different locations in the Solling, an area in Lower Saxony (Germany) known for individuals with high dorsal yellow ratios. We measured the dorsal yellow ratio of 50 individuals from each of three populations, and quantified toxicity (steroidal alkaloid content of the parotoid glands) of twelve individuals per location. We then analysed the correlation between the yellow ratio and various parameters (alkaloid content, sex, and location), as well as the interactions between these. We found no correlation between yellow ratio and toxicity; instead yellow coloration was significantly affected by sex (males displaying more yellow), and location. Our data suggest that besides possibly serving as warning coloration in a toxic species, the conspicuous colour pattern of the fire salamander might be further shaped by sexual selection and genetic drift. Thus, unravelling the effects of coloration in the context of aposematism might not be possible without disentangling the various other influences acting on coloration as a whole.
Simplicity and Language: Bonaventure's Semiotic Asymptoticism
Authors: Luy David
Published: April 2019

Luy engages in a close reading of Bonaventure's doctrine of divine simplicity. He offers this reading in light of a keen awareness of contemporary critiques of the doctrine, especially from philosophers of religion who suggest that divine simplicity either means that our human words really cannot say anything intelligible about God, or that divine properties that are surely distinct (such as justice and goodness) are in fact absolutely identical. In sum, Luy recognizes that the doctrine of simplicity challenges the intelligibility of religious language. He points out that medieval thinkers, too, recognized this challenge, but they regarded it as a salutary reminder that God is ultimately incomprehensible to finite minds, even though we can speak true things about God. In expositing divine simplicity according to Bonaventure, Luy shows that Bonaventure expects that creation itself is designed to reveal God's limitless self‐communication. Divine simplicity, then, serves to affirm divine perfection, in a manner limited by the effort of finite words to express the infinite; but divine simplicity also reflects the “semiotic universe” that allows for, and exalts in, the wondrous expression of the divine plenitude.
Adaptation meets dispersal: legumes in the land of succulents
Authors: Donoghue Michael J.
Published: April 2019

This article is a Commentary on Gagnon et al., 222: 1994–2008.
AtEDT1/HDG11 regulates stomatal density and water‐use efficiency via ERECTA and E2Fa
Authors: Guo Xiao‐Yu , Wang Yao , Zhao Ping‐Xia , Xu Ping , Yu Guo‐Hua , Zhang Li‐Yong , Xiong Yan , Xiang Cheng‐Bin
Published: April 2019

Improvement of crop drought resistance and water‐use efficiency (WUE) has been a major endeavor in agriculture. Arabidopsis ENHANCED DROUGHT TOLERANCE1/HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11 (AtEDT1/HDG11), a homeodomain‐START transcription factor we previously identified from the enhanced drought tolerance1 mutant (edt1), has been demonstrated to improve drought tolerance and WUE significantly in multiple plant species when constitutively overexpressed.

Here, we report the genetic evidence suggesting a genetic pathway, which consists of EDT1/HDG11, ERECTA, and E2Fa loci, and regulates WUE by modulating stomatal density. AtEDT1/HDG11 transcriptionally activates ERECTA by binding to homeodomain‐binding (HD) cis‐elements in the ERECTA promoter. ERECTA, in turn, depends on E2Fa to modulate the expression of cell cycle‐related genes.

This modulation affects the transition from mitosis to endocycle, leading to increased ploidy levels in leaf cells, and therefore increased cell size and decreased stomatal density.

Our results suggest a possible EDT1/HDG11‐ERECTA‐E2Fa genetic pathway that reduces stomatal density by increasing cell size and provide a new avenue to improve WUE of crops.
Energy costs of salt tolerance in crop plants
Authors: Munns Rana , Day David A. , Fricke Wieland , Watt Michelle , Arsova Borjana , Barkla Bronwyn J. , Bose Jayakumar , Byrt Caitlin S. , Chen Zhong‐Hua , Foster Kylie J. , Gilliham Matthew , Henderson Sam W. , Jenkins Colin L. D. , Kronzucker Herbert J. , Miklavcic Stanley J. , Plett Darren , Roy Stuart J. , Shabala Sergey , Shelden Megan C. , Soole Kathleen L. , Taylor Nicolas L. , Tester Mark , Wege Stefanie , Wegner Lars H. , Tyerman Stephen D.
Published: April 2019

Agriculture is expanding into regions that are affected by salinity. This review considers the energetic costs of salinity tolerance in crop plants and provides a framework for a quantitative assessment of costs. Different sources of energy, and modifications of root system architecture that would maximize water vs ion uptake are addressed. Energy requirements for transport of salt (NaCl) to leaf vacuoles for osmotic adjustment could be small if there are no substantial leaks back across plasma membrane and tonoplast in root and leaf. The coupling ratio of the H+‐ATPase also is a critical component. One proposed leak, that of Na+ influx across the plasma membrane through certain aquaporin channels, might be coupled to water flow, thus conserving energy. For the tonoplast, control of two types of cation channels is required for energy efficiency. Transporters controlling the Na+ and Cl− concentrations in mitochondria and chloroplasts are largely unknown and could be a major energy cost. The complexity of the system will require a sophisticated modelling approach to identify critical transporters, apoplastic barriers and root structures. This modelling approach will inform experimentation and allow a quantitative assessment of the energy costs of NaCl tolerance to guide breeding and engineering of molecular components.
Species richness change across spatial scales
Authors: Chase Jonathan M. , McGill Brian J. , Thompson Patrick L. , Antão Laura H. , Bates Amanda E. , Blowes Shane A. , Dornelas Maria , Gonzalez Andrew , Magurran Anne E. , Supp Sarah R. , Winter Marten , Bjorkman Anne D. , Bruelheide Helge , Byrnes Jarrett E. K. , Cabral Juliano Sarmento , Elahi Robin , Gomez Catalina , Guzman Hector M. , Isbell Forest , Myers‐Smith Isla H. , Jones Holly P. , Hines Jes , Vellend Mark , Waldock Conor , O'Connor Mary
Published: April 2019

Humans have elevated global extinction rates and thus lowered global scale species richness. However, there is no a priori reason to expect that losses of global species richness should always, or even often, trickle down to losses of species richness at regional and local scales, even though this relationship is often assumed. Here, we show that scale can modulate our estimates of species richness change through time in the face of anthropogenic pressures, but not in a unidirectional way. Instead, the magnitude of species richness change through time can increase, decrease, reverse, or be unimodal across spatial scales. Using several case studies, we show different forms of scale‐dependent richness change through time in the face of anthropogenic pressures. For example, Central American corals show a homogenization pattern, where small scale richness is largely unchanged through time, while larger scale richness change is highly negative. Alternatively, birds in North America showed a differentiation effect, where species richness was again largely unchanged through time at small scales, but was more positive at larger scales. Finally, we collated data from a heterogeneous set of studies of different taxa measured through time from sites ranging from small plots to entire continents, and found highly variable patterns that nevertheless imply complex scale‐dependence in several taxa. In summary, understanding how biodiversity is changing in the Anthropocene requires an explicit recognition of the influence of spatial scale, and we conclude with some recommendations for how to better incorporate scale into our estimates of change.
Dynamic panel modelling of electricity consumption and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Authors: Inuwa Nasiru , Adamu Sagir , Saidu Abubakar Mohammed , Sani Muhammad Bello
Published: April 2019

The effect of electricity consumption on economic growth of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Member Countries has been examined during the period 2007–2016. The study applied both static and dynamic panel models in the form of Fixed‐Effect, Random‐Effect, Difference GMM and System GMM. The results revealed that electricity consumption has a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth for both static and dynamic panel models. Capital has also been found to have impacted positively and significantly on economic growth in both models. Similarly, labour showed a positive and significant impact on economic growth system GMM model only. Since the study supports electricity consumption led‐growth hypothesis, therefore, it is recommended that ECOWAS countries should explore other alternative sources of electricity generation in order to ensure sufficient and reliable supply of electricity. This can be achieved at individual country level by utilising the potentials of renewable endowments such as biomass, biofuels and solar energy available to each country. Equally, the regional efforts to establish West African Power Pool (WAPP) and West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) in order to increase the supply as well as grid reliability should be strengthened.
The value of multidisciplinary team in syncope clinic for the effective diagnosis of complex syncope
Authors: Qian Xiao‐lin , Pan Ye‐sheng , Chen Jing‐jiong , Jiang Qing‐qing , Huang Dong , Li Jing‐bo
Published: April 2019

Background

Syncope is a perplexing challenge that often receives thorough evaluation, yet the diagnosis remains unclear. Usually, the emergency department is the first point at which patients present with syncope. However, diverse medical factors, including low diagnostic rates and inconsistent management by doctors, add to healthcare costs and delay diagnosis for syncope patients.

Methods

Patients who had been to the emergency department at least once but were not given a clear diagnosis of syncope were recruited into our study at the time they visited syncope clinic staffed by a multidisciplinary team. Complete medical histories and clinical examinations were conducted by both experienced cardiologists and neurologists. If patients were not given a conclusive diagnosis at the syncope clinic on the basis of outpatient examinations, they were admitted for further evaluation.

Results

A total of 209 consecutive patients claiming “syncope” visited the syncope clinic, yet only 167 patients were formally diagnosed with syncope. For these 167 patients, the mean age was 55.93 ± 17.40 years old, and 41.3% were male. The proportions of cardiac syncope, reflex syncope, orthostatic hypotension (OH), and syncope of uncertain etiology were 19.8%, 64.1%, 7.8%, and 8.4%, respectively. The diagnostic rate was 91.6%, and the hospitalization rate was 23.4%. Patients with reflex syncope and OH were younger than patients with cardiac syncope. Cardiac syncope tends to occur more frequently in males, while reflex syncope is more likely in females.

Conclusions

The cooperation of professional cardiologists and neurologists will play an important role in improving diagnostic rates, lowering admission rates, and reducing medical costs.
Transferring emotional capital as coerced discretion: Street‐level bureaucrats reconciling structural deficiencies
Authors: Lavee Einat , Strier Roni
Published: April 2019

The discretion of street‐level bureaucrats (SLBs) plays a key role in policy implementation. This study offers a new perspective on the meaning of discretion under social policy reforms, which created new structural deficiencies in the work of SLBs and have raised expectations of policy implementation without offering sufficient policy responses. Under such conditions, the discretion of SLBs should be understood as coerced, more so than as a positive element of freedom and choice. As such, SLBs are forced to employ informal practices and provide alternative resources for their clients. Findings indicate a transference of emotional resources from SLBs to clients, aimed at achieving policy outcomes of economically independent citizens, paradoxically accompanied by an awareness of powerful barriers to such conversion. The study contributes both to the understanding of discretion in policy implementation, in the context of an expanding public service gap, and to theories of emotion manifestation in public administration.
“Going Public” in Comparative Perspective: Presidents’ Public Appeals under Pure Presidentialism
Authors: Cockerham Alexandra G. , Driscoll Amanda , Joseph Joan V.
Published: April 2019

The notion of “going public” has its origins in the U.S. presidency, yet we have little sense of how direct public appeals fit into the broader portfolio of presidential powers. We debut a new data set that includes 24 presidents from 18 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere, and show that the frequency of presidents’ public appeals varies with both their partisan support in the legislature and their status as a newcomer. In so doing, we situate presidents’ public appeals as an underappreciated source of executive influence in the study of comparative presidentialism.
Urocortinergic system in the epididymis of the normal and cryptorchid dogs
Authors: Squillacioti Caterina , Pelagalli Alessandra , De Luca Adriana , Liguori Giovanna , Ali Sabrina , Mirabella Nicola
Published: April 2019

Cryptorchidism is associated with changes in the gonads and the spermatic duct system, which may cause infertility problems. Urocortin (UCN) is a corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH)‐related peptide, which affects several functions of male genital organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of UCN and its receptors CRHR1 and CRHR2 using immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tissues collected from the epididymis of normal and cryptorchid dogs. The lumen of the cryptic epididymal duct was found to be relatively smaller than that of the normal one, and interstitial tissue was abundant in the cryptic epididymis. In addition, only a few spermatids were observed in the lumen of the epididymal duct. Results showed that UCN, CRHR2 and CRHR1 were expressed in tissues collected from normal and cryptic epididymal ducts. Urocortin‐ and CRHR2‐immunoreactivities (IRs) were detected in the principal cells of the caput, corpus and cauda of the normal and cryptic epididymides. CRHR1‐IR was detected in vascular smooth muscles and fibromuscular cells surrounding epididymal tubules of the normal and cryptorchid dogs. Expression levels of UCN and CRHR2 mRNA were higher in cryptic epididymal ducts than that in normal epididymal ducts. These results suggest that UCN and its receptors might play a role in regulating the maturation and storage of spermatozoa. These findings indicated that the expression of these proteins could be modulated by the cryptorchidism condition.
Haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation increases the risk of cytomegalovirus infection in adult patients with acute leukemia
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Hsien , Su Yi‐Jiun , Hsu Chiann‐Yi , Wang Po‐Nan , Teng Chieh‐Lin Jerry
Published: April 2019

Background

Owing to the shortage of hematopoietic stem cells from matched sibling donors (MSD) and matched unrelated donors (MUD), the number of patients undergoing haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) has rapidly increased. Despite a comparable overall survival (OS) and leukemia‐free survival using this approach, some evidence suggests that haploidentical allo‐HSCT recipients have a higher incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, though this has not been clearly established.

Methods

This study retrospectively compared the cumulative incidence of CMV DNAemia, 2‐year OS, and leukemia‐free survival rates in acute leukemia patients with MSD (n = 41), MUD (n = 18), and haploidentical donor allografts (n = 21).

Results

The cumulative incidences of CMV DNAemia at day 180 in the MSD, MUD, and haploidentical groups were 39.0, 55.6, and 85.7%, respectively (P < 0.000). As less than 50% of patients in the MSD group were detected to have CMV DNAemia, the median time to CMV DNAemia detection in patients allografted with MSD could not be obtained. However, it was 42 and 29 days, respectively, for the MUD and haploidentical groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that haploidentical allo‐HSCT (MSD vs. haploidentical: HR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09‐0.78; P = 0.017) and age (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.06; P = 0.011) increased CMV infection. Finally, MSD, MUD, and haploidentical allo‐HSCT provided comparable 2‐year OS rates (52.1%, 65.5%, and 65.6%; P = 0.425) and 2‐year leukemia‐free survival rates (67.1%, 68.3%, and 80.7%, P = 0.837).

Conclusion

The CMV incidence was higher for haploidentical allo‐HSCT than for MSD and MUD allo‐HSCT; this could be explained by graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis by multiple immunosuppressants.
Defective Leptotene Chromosome 1 (DLC1) encodes a type‐B response regulator and is required for rice meiosis
Authors: Tao Yang , Chen Dan , Zou Ting , Zeng Jing , Gao Fengyan , He Zhongshan , Zhou Dan , He Zhiyuan , Yuan Guoqiang , Liu Miaomiao , Zhao Hongfeng , Deng Qiming , Wang Shiquan , Zheng Aiping , Zhu Jun , Liang Yueyang , Wang Lingxia , Li Ping , Li Shuangcheng
Published: April 2019

Meiosis is critical for sexual reproduction and the generation of new allelic variations in most eukaryotes. In this study, we report the isolation of a meiotic gene, DLC1, using a map‐based cloning strategy. The dlc1 mutant is sterile in both male and female gametophytes due to an earlier defect in the leptotene chromosome and subsequent abnormalities at later stages. DLC1 is strongly expressed in the pollen mother cells (PMCs) and tapetum and encodes a nucleus‐located rice type‐B response regulator (RR) with transcriptional activity. Further investigations showed that DLC1 interacts with all five putative rice histidine phosphotransfer proteins (HPs) in yeast and planta cells, suggesting a possible participation of the two‐component signalling systems (TCS) in rice meiosis. Our results demonstrated that DLC1 is required for rice meiosis and fertility, providing useful information for the role of TCS in rice meiosis.
The Plant PTM Viewer, a central resource for exploring plant protein modifications
Authors: Willems Patrick , Horne Alison , Van Parys Thomas , Goormachtig Sofie , De Smet Ive , Botzki Alexander , Van Breusegem Frank , Gevaert Kris
Published: April 2019

Post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are central in any kind of cellular signaling. Modern mass spectrometry technologies enable comprehensive identification and quantification of various PTMs. Given the increased numbers and types of mapped protein modifications, a database is necessary that simultaneously integrates and compares site‐specific information for different PTMs, especially in plants for which the available PTM data are poorly catalogued. Here, we present the Plant PTM Viewer (http://www.psb.ugent.be/PlantPTMViewer), an integrative PTM resource that comprises approximately 370 000 PTM sites for 19 types of protein modifications in plant proteins from five different species. The Plant PTM Viewer provides the user with a protein sequence overview in which the experimentally evidenced PTMs are highlighted together with an estimate of the confidence by which the modified peptides and, if possible, the actual modification sites were identified and with functional protein domains or active site residues. The PTM sequence search tool can query PTM combinations in specific protein sequences, whereas the PTM BLAST tool searches for modified protein sequences to detect conserved PTMs in homologous sequences. Taken together, these tools help to assume the role and potential interplay of PTMs in specific proteins or within a broader systems biology context. The Plant PTM Viewer is an open repository that allows the submission of mass spectrometry‐based PTM data to remain at pace with future PTM plant studies.
Evaluating Plastic Deformation and Damage as Potential Mechanisms for Tendon Inelasticity Using a Reactive Modeling Framework
Authors: Safa Babak N. , Lee Andrea H. , Santare Michael H. , Elliott Dawn M.
Published: April 2019

Inelastic behaviors, such as softening, a progressive decrease in modulus before failure, occur in tendon and are important aspects in degeneration and tendinopathy. These inelastic behaviors are generally attributed to two potential mechanisms: plastic deformation and damage. However, it is not clear which is primarily responsible. In this study, we evaluated these potential mechanisms of tendon inelasticity by using a recently developed reactive inelasticity model (RIE), which is a structurally inspired continuum mechanics framework that models tissue inelasticity based on the molecular bond kinetics. Using RIE, we formulated two material models, one specific to plastic deformation and the other to damage. The models were independently fit to published macroscale experimental tensile tests of rat tail tendons. We quantified the inelastic effects and compared the performance of the two models in fitting the mechanical response during loading, relaxation, unloading, and reloading phases. Additionally, we validated the models by using the resulting fit parameters to predict an independent set of experimental stress–strain curves from ramp-to-failure tests. Overall, the models were both successful in fitting the experiments and predicting the validation data. However, the results did not strongly favor one mechanism over the other. As a result, to distinguish between plastic deformation and damage, different experimental protocols will be needed. Nevertheless, these findings suggest the potential of RIE as a comprehensive framework for studying tendon inelastic behaviors.
Transepidermal Potential of the Stretched Skin
Authors: Abe Yuina , Konno Hajime , Yoshida Shotaro , Nishizawa Matsuhiko
Published: April 2019

The electrical response of the skin to mechanical stretches is reported here. The electrical potential difference across the epidermis, i.e., transepidermal potential (TEP) of porcine skin samples subjected to cyclic stretching, was measured in real time to observe electrochemical change in epidermal tissue. In addition to a conventional method of TEP measurement for the whole of skin sample, a probe-type system with a fine-needle salt bridge was used for direct measurement of TEP at a targeted local point of the skin. TEP decreased with the increased mechanical stretches, and the change of TEP was found to be mostly occurred in the epidermis but not dermis nor hypodermis by comparing the results of conventional and the probe-type methods. The observed change of TEP value was quick, reversible, and strain-dependent. Considering from such characteristic behaviors, one of the possible mechanisms of the modulation of TEP would be influence of the streaming potential caused by the fluid flow during the physical deformation of the epidermis.
A Novel Method for Solving the Bagley-Torvik Equation as Ordinary Differential Equation
Authors: Xu Yong , Liu Qixian , Liu Jike , Chen Yanmao
Published: April 2019

We present a novel method to solve the Bagley-Torvik equation by transforming it into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). This method is based on the equivalence between the Caputo-type fractional derivative (FD) of order 3/2 and the solution of a diffusion equation subjected to certain initial and boundary conditions. The key procedure is to approximate the infinite boundary condition by a finite one, so that the diffusion equation can be solved by separation of variables. By this procedure, the Bagley-Torvik and the diffusion equations together are transformed to be a set of ODEs, which can be integrated numerically by the Runge-Kutta scheme. The presented method is tested by various numerical cases including linear, nonlinear, nonsmooth, or multidimensional equations, respectively. Importantly, high computational efficiency is achieved as this method is at the expense of linearly increasing computational cost with the solution domain being enlarged.