bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Getting under the skin: Social isolation and biological markers in the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Authors: Cudjoe Thomas K. M. , Selvakumar Sruthi , Chung Shang‐En , Latkin Carl A. , Roth David L. , Thorpe Roland J. , Boyd Cynthia M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Social isolation is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality comparable to well‐established risk factors including smoking, hypertension, and a sedentary lifestyle. The specific biological mechanisms that connect social isolation to morbidity and mortality remain unclear. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are biological markers that are upregulated during inflammation and can have long‐term negative consequences for the health of individuals as they age.

Methods

Utilizing Round 7 (2017) data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we examine the relationship between social isolation and two biological markers: IL‐6 and high‐sensitivity CRP. This study included a nationally representative sample of 4648 Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older who provided samples using dried blood spot (DBS) techniques. We defined social isolation utilizing a multi‐domained typology that considers living arrangement, core discussion network, religious attendance, and social participation. IL‐6 and CRP were obtained via DBS that were collected in Round 7 of the NHATS. We performed linear regression to examine the association between social isolation and biological markers IL‐6 and CRP.

Results

After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, tobacco use, body mass index, and chronic conditions, we found that severe social isolation and social isolation were significantly associated with higher levels of IL‐6 and CRP values among older adults.

Conclusions

Social isolation is associated with higher levels of biological markers (IL‐6 and CRP). Our findings inform the pathway between social isolation and morbidity and mortality among older adults. IL‐6 or CRP could be a proximal outcome measures for future clinical and social interventions that seek to alter the trajectory of social isolation and its associated health outcomes.
Comparative examination of pinniped craniofacial musculature and its role in aquatic feeding
Authors: Kienle Sarah S. , Cuthbertson Roxanne D. , Reidenberg Joy S.
Published: October 2021

Secondarily aquatic tetrapods have many unique morphologic adaptations for life underwater compared with their terrestrial counterparts. A key innovation during the land‐to‐water transition was feeding. Pinnipeds, a clade of air‐breathing marine carnivorans that include seals, sea lions, and walruses, have evolved multiple strategies for aquatic feeding (e.g., biting, suction feeding). Numerous studies have examined the pinniped skull and dental specializations for underwater feeding. However, data on the pinniped craniofacial musculoskeletal system and its role in aquatic feeding are rare. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to conduct a comparative analysis of pinniped craniofacial musculature and examine the function of the craniofacial musculature in facilitating different aquatic feeding strategies. We performed anatomic dissections of 35 specimens across six pinniped species. We describe 32 pinniped craniofacial muscles—including facial expression, mastication, tongue, hyoid, and soft palate muscles. Pinnipeds broadly conform to mammalian patterns of craniofacial muscle morphology. Pinnipeds also exhibit unique musculoskeletal morphologies—in muscle position, attachments, and size—that likely represent adaptations for different aquatic feeding strategies. Suction feeding specialists (bearded and northern elephant seals) have a significantly larger masseter than biters. Further, northern elephant seals have large and unique tongue and hyoid muscle morphologies compared with other pinniped species. These morphologic changes likely help generate and withstand suction pressures necessary for drawing water and prey into the mouth. In contrast, biting taxa (California sea lions, harbor, ringed, and Weddell seals) do not exhibit consistent craniofacial musculoskeletal adaptations that differentiate them from suction feeders. Generally, we discover that all pinnipeds have well‐developed and robust craniofacial musculature. Pinniped head musculature plays an important role in facilitating different aquatic feeding strategies. Together with behavioral and kinematic studies, our data suggest that pinnipeds’ robust facial morphology allows animals to switch feeding strategies depending on the environmental context—a critical skill in a heterogeneous and rapidly changing underwater habitat.
Ethnic competition in a divided America: The wall and the “Hispanic threat”
Authors: Serrano Fernando , Schiavon Jorge A.
Published: October 2021

During his electoral campaign and while in office, President Donald Trump expressed his desire to build a wall along the US–Mexico border to control migration. Analyzing the conditions, circumstances, and demands of those Americans who want a wall with Mexico and Latin America is an imperative to understand better US–Latin American relations and ethnic competition not only during the Trump administration, but also in Joseph Biden's presidency. In this article, we argue, through quantitative analysis, that multiple factors, both individual and contextual, have a significant effect on the stance that US citizens have about immigration and the construction of the wall. Our study demonstrates that, in addition to sociodemographic variables, the distribution of the Hispanic population across the 50 US states generates a “Hispanic threat” which, as understood through ethnic competition theory, is a significant factor affecting Americans' views on the wall and immigration.
The role of fishery management and environmental variables on the fish fauna in floodplain lakes in the lower Purus River, Amazon Basin, Brazil
Authors: Morales Bruno Ferezim , Deus Cláudia Pereira de
Published: October 2021

Periodically flooded environments in the Amazon River basin are recognized as being highly productive because of their limnological dynamics and ecological heterogeneity. They also have been historically impacted by fishery activities, therefore being crucial ecosystems to be considered in small‐scale conservation policies. Previous studies, however, did not detect or assess significant or consistent positive effects of combinations between protected areas or environmental variables on ichthyofauna. Accordingly, the present study analysed the effects of fishery management (hereafter categorization of lakes) and environmental characteristics on the attributes of fish assemblages in 20 floodplain lakes (eight categorized as open access; 12 categorized as protected lakes) inserted in a legally protected area, the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Piagaçu‐Purus (RDS‐PP) in the lower Purus River, Amazonas State, Brazil. The results of the present study indicated depth, surface area and lake categorization synergistically influenced the ichthyofauna of these floodplain lakes. It also suggests this influence should not be treated separately in management policies. It was concluded that the potential effectiveness of fishery management in floodplain lakes is closely related to small‐scale (i.e. local) interventions, with emphasis on the role of the lakes as a unit of effective management of ichthyofauna in floodplains. Furthermore, participatory decisions during the process of elaborating management plans for floodplain lakes should consider environmental attributes relevant to biological communities and traditional knowledge.
Transcription factor SsFoxE3 activating SsAtg8 is critical for sclerotia, compound appressoria formation, and pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Jiao Wenli , Yu Huilin , Cong Jie , Xiao Kunqin , Zhang Xianghui , Liu Jinliang , Zhang Yanhua , Pan Hongyu
Published: October 2021

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the notorious necrotrophic phytopathogenic fungus with wide distribution, is responsible for sclerotium disease in more than 600 plant species, including many economic crops such as soybean, oilseed rape, and sunflower. The compound appressorium is a crucial multicellular infection structure that is a prerequisite for infecting healthy tissues. Previously, the Forkhead‐box family transcription factors (FOX TFs) SsFoxE2 and SsFKH1 were shown to play a key regulatory role in the hyphae growth, sexual reproduction, and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum. However, little is known about the roles of SsFoxE3 regulating growth and development and pathogenicity. Here, we report SsFoxE3 contributes to sclerotium formation and deletion of SsFoxE3 leads to reduced formation of compound appressoria and developmental delays. Transcripts of SsFoxE3 were greatly increased during the initial stage of infection and SsFoxE3 deficiency reduced virulence on the host, while stabbing inoculation could partially restore pathogenicity. The SsFoxE3 mutant showed sensitivity to H2O2, and the expression of reactive oxygen species detoxification and autophagy‐related genes were reduced. Moreover, expression of SsAtg8 was also decreased during the infection process of the SsFoxE3 mutant. Yeast 1‐hybrid tests suggested that SsFoxE3 interacted with the promoter of SsAtg8. Disruption of SsAtg8 resulted in a phenotype similar to that of the SsFoxE3 mutant. Comparative analysis of the level of autophagy in the wild type and SsFoxE3 mutant showed that N starvation‐induced autophagy was reduced in the SsFoxE3 mutant. Taken together, our findings indicate that SsFoxE3 plays an important role in compound appressorium formation and is involved in transcriptional activation of SsAtg8 during infection by S. sclerotiorum.
The Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution and the origins of modern biodiversity
Authors: Benton Michael J. , Wilf Peter , Sauquet Hervé
Published: October 2021

Biodiversity today has the unusual property that 85% of plant and animal species live on land rather than in the sea, and half of these live in tropical rainforests. An explosive boost to terrestrial diversity occurred from c. 100–50 million years ago, the Late Cretaceous and early Palaeogene. During this interval, the Earth‐life system on land was reset, and the biosphere expanded to a new level of productivity, enhancing the capacity and species diversity of terrestrial environments. This boost in terrestrial biodiversity coincided with innovations in flowering plant biology and evolutionary ecology, including their flowers and efficiencies in reproduction; coevolution with animals, especially pollinators and herbivores; photosynthetic capacities; adaptability; and ability to modify habitats. The rise of angiosperms triggered a macroecological revolution on land and drove modern biodiversity in a secular, prolonged shift to new, high levels, a series of processes we name here the Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution.
Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in salmonids: Molecular epidemiology and host response to infection
Authors: Tapia David , Eissler Yoanna , Reyes‐Lopez Felipe E. , Kuznar Juan , Yáñez José Manuel
Published: October 2021

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is one of the most pervasive pathogens in aquaculture worldwide. It causes a highly contagious disease in salmonids that has a significant economic impact in almost every country where salmonid fish are farmed. For decades IPNV studies have focussed on the molecular characterisation of isolates collected from around the world and the discovery of molecular markers associated with virulence and pathogenicity. The great success of selective breeding for resistance to IPNV has caused special emphasis to be put on the immune response of salmon genetically resistant/susceptible to IPNV. In this work, we review the classification of IPNV, summarise virulence markers and add recent findings about the molecular epidemiology and worldwide distribution of the virus. We also review genetic improvements for IPNV resistance, the kinetics of the immune response to IPNV and the transcriptomic response of salmonids, made possible through the use high‐throughput technologies.
Seminal characterization of white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu peccary)
Authors: Vieira Renan Luiz Albuquerque , Feliciano Marcus Antônio Rossi , Moreira Rennan Herculano Rufino , Costa Cristiana Morais
Published: October 2021

White‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) is a neotropical mammal that plays a fundamental role in maintaining the integrity of tropical forest systems. However, due to hunting and deforestation the species is currently classified as vulnerable. As there are reports of difficulties in captive reproduction, it was proposed to use assisted reproduction techniques for later reintroduction into their natural habitat. Therefore, the objective was to describe the physical, chemical, morphological and functional characteristics of its semen. Sixteen adult male, white‐lipped peccary, aged between three and seven years old, distributed in three groups, were used in this study. After physical and chemical retainment, semen was collected by electroejaculation from 16 individuals. It was evaluated by computer analysis (CASA). The mean values recorded were as follows: volume 0.5 ± 0.6 ml, pH 7.2 ± 0.3, sperm concentration 967.2 ± 947.3 × 106 spermatozoon/ml and total motility of 75.4 ± 16.2. The average sperm reactive to the hypo‐osmotic test was 85.3% ± 21.0%, and 62.4% ± 43.9% of the cells presented intact membranes in the structural integrity test. Additionally, the semen showed milky consistency (80%), yellowish colour (40%) and sui generis odour (100%). The sperm parameters of the white‐lipped peccary are within the desirable standards, allowing them to be considered as potentially fertile for the development of assisted reproduction techniques that may contribute to the conservation of the species.
Addressing learner anxiety via reflective practice
Authors: Siden Jonathan Y. , Murphy Jennifer , Wolff Meg
Published: October 2021

Background

Medical students experience anxiety when learning the pelvic, breast and male genitourinary exam (also known as sensitive physical exams). Reflection can help students process emotionally challenging learning experiences and help give those experiences meaning. We describe the development of a reflection module to enhance reflection during sensitive exam instruction.

Approach

We developed this module following Kern's Six Step Method for curriculum development, including a targeted needs assessment. Informed by educational reflection theory, the module addressed all elements of reflection. The module was optional, asynchronous and administered online, requiring minimal administrative support. Prior to sensitive exam instruction, participants identified goals and values and named emotions. Following exam instruction, participants again named their emotions and then self‐evaluated whether they had met their goals and upheld their values.

Evaluation

Participants found the module to be a useful modality to reflect. Most notably, they identified the naming of emotions, goals and values clarification and the opportunity to reflect both prior to and after an educational experience as helpful. Younger students found the module particularly helpful.

Implications

An online, low‐resource, asynchronous reflection module is feasible and can be a way for students to reflect on challenging learning experiences. In addition to using with sensitive exam instruction, the module can be applied to activities such as anatomic dissection, ethics workshops or clinical learning.
Cleaning up, and Moving Past, Simple Swamping
Authors: Perrine Timothy
Published: October 2021

Many philosophers believe that true belief is of epistemic value, but that knowledge is of even more epistemic value. Some claim that this surplus value is instrumentally valuable to the value of true belief. I call the conjunction of these claims the instrumentalist's conjunction. The so‐called swamping problem is meant to show that instrumentalist's conjunction is inconsistent. Crudely put, the problem is that if knowledge only has surplus value to the value of true belief, and a belief is true because known, then knowledge cannot be of any more value than true belief. Given the inconsistency, most philosopher reject the claim the surplus value of knowledge is instrumental to the value of true belief. This paper argues that the Swamping Problem is illusory. Once we clean up the problem and pay attention to the distinction between token/type properties, we can see that instrumentalist's conjunction is perfectly coherent.
UK trade in the time of COVID‐19: A review
Authors: Du Jun , Shepotylo Oleksandr
Published: October 2021

This paper offers a detailed review of the UK’s trade performance during the COVID‐19 crisis and reflects on how this may be revived. During 2020, UK goods exports contracted more sharply than those of its international peers. Statistics suggest that UK had a deeper decline and slower recovery than Germany, Italy, Spain and the US. Further, the trends from 2017 to 2019 show a weakening in the UK’s global competitiveness, suggesting a more persistent development against the backdrop of productivity slowdown and Brexit uncertainty. We analyse the confluence of internal and external factors that impact on UK trade and emphasise the importance of boosting productivity in the recovery from the COVID crisis and Brexit.
Effects of structured electrodes on electron power absorption and plasma uniformity in capacitive RF discharges
Authors: Wang Li , Hartmann Peter , Donkó Zoltán , Song Yuan-Hong , Schulze Julian
Published: October 2021

The electron power absorption dynamics and plasma uniformity in low pressure capacitively coupled RF discharges with structured electrodes are investigated by graphics processing unit-based 2d3v particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulations in argon gas. In the presence of planar electrodes, the plasma is radially nonuniform due to strong electron density peaks close to the reactor sidewall, which are caused by edge effects that locally enhance the electron power absorption and ionization. Such a local enhancement of these characteristics can also be achieved in a controllable manner by using a single ring-shaped rectangular trench embedded in the powered electrode close to the reactor center. This effect is understood by analyzing the trajectories of selected electrons as well as the time evolution of their energy and velocity inside and above such trenches. Electrons are found to gain high energies inside the trench by bouncing between the sheaths at the trench walls during the sheath expansion phase. Combined with the cross-firing of energetic electrons at the trench orifice, this leads to high local ionization rates. Using these trench effects, the plasma uniformity above the wafer placed on a planar powered electrode can be remarkably improved by including multiple trenches in the opposing grounded electrode, which enhance the ionization and plasma density at their respective radial positions. Meanwhile, the ion flux-energy distribution function at the wafer is found to be almost unaffected.
Spatial alignment between faces and voices improves selective attention to audio-visual speech
Authors: Fleming Justin T. , Maddox Ross K. , Shinn-Cunningham Barbara G.
Published: October 2021

The ability to see a talker's face improves speech intelligibility in noise, provided that the auditory and visual speech signals are approximately aligned in time. However, the importance of spatial alignment between corresponding faces and voices remains unresolved, particularly in multi-talker environments. In a series of online experiments, we investigated this using a task that required participants to selectively attend a target talker in noise while ignoring a distractor talker. In experiment 1, we found improved task performance when the talkers' faces were visible, but only when corresponding faces and voices were presented in the same hemifield (spatially aligned). In experiment 2, we tested for possible influences of eye position on this result. In auditory-only conditions, directing gaze toward the distractor voice reduced performance, but this effect could not fully explain the cost of audio-visual (AV) spatial misalignment. Lowering the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the speech from +4 to −4 dB increased the magnitude of the AV spatial alignment effect (experiment 3), but accurate closed-set lipreading caused a floor effect that influenced results at lower SNRs (experiment 4). Taken together, these results demonstrate that spatial alignment between faces and voices contributes to the ability to selectively attend AV speech.
Membrane fusion and immune evasion by the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant
Authors: Zhang Jun , Xiao Tianshu , Cai Yongfei , Lavine Christy L. , Peng Hanqin , Zhu Haisun , Anand Krishna , Tong Pei , Gautam Avneesh , Mayer Megan L. , Walsh Richard M. , Rits-Volloch Sophia , Wesemann Duane R. , Yang Wei , Seaman Michael S. , Lu Jianming , Chen Bing
Published: October 2021

Delta’s spike

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the increased transmissibility and immune evasion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants is critical to guiding current and future intervention strategies. Zhang
et al
. determined cryo–electron microscopy structures of the full-length spike protein trimers of the Delta, Kappa, and Gamma variants of SARS-CoV-2 and studied their function and antigenic properties. The Delta spike protein fused membranes more efficiently at low levels of the cellular receptor ACE2, and its pseudotyped viruses infected target cells substantially more rapidly than all other variants tested, possibly at least partly accounting for its heightened transmissibility. Mutations of each variant rearranged the antigenic surface of the N-terminal domain of the spike protein but only caused local changes in the receptor-binding domain, consistent with greater resistance to neutralizing antibodies. These findings elucidate the molecular events that have led these viruses to adapt in human communities and to evade host immunity. —VV
GRAd-COV2, a gorilla adenovirus-based candidate vaccine against COVID-19, is safe and immunogenic in younger and older adults
Authors: Lanini Simone , Capone Stefania , Antinori Andrea , Milleri Stefano , Nicastri Emanuele , Camerini Roberto , Agrati Chiara , Castilletti Concetta , Mori Federica , Sacchi Alessandra , Matusali Giulia , Gagliardini Roberta , Ammendola Virginia , Cimini Eleonora , Grazioli Fabiana , Scorzolini Laura , Napolitano Federico , Plazzi Maria M. , Soriani Marco , De Luca Aldo , Battella Simone , Sommella Andrea , Contino Alessandra M. , Barra Federica , Gentile Michela , Raggioli Angelo , Shi Yufang , Girardi Enrico , Maeurer Markus , Capobianchi Maria R. , Vaia Francesco , Piacentini Mauro , Kroemer Guido , Vitelli Alessandra , Colloca Stefano , Folgori Antonella , Ippolito Giuseppe
Published: October 2021

GRAd-COV2, a candidate vaccine for COVID-19 based on a gorilla adenovirus, is safe and immunogenic in younger and older adults.
Identification of ZDHHC17 as a Potential Drug Target for Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Luo Yun , Tan Chee Wah , Xie Shi-Zhe , Chen Ying , Yao Yu-Lin , Zhao Kai , Zhu Yan , Wang Qi , Liu Mei-Qin , Yang Xing-Lou , Wang Lin-Fa , Shi Zheng-Li
Published: October 2021

The recent emergence of deadly zoonotic viral diseases, including Ebola virus and SARS-CoV-2, emphasizes the importance of pandemic preparedness for the animal-sourced viruses with potential risk of animal-to-human spillover. Over the last 2 decades, three significant coronaviruses of bat origin, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, have caused millions of deaths with significant economy and public health impacts.
Technology Advances, High-Risk Research, and a Safe Way Forward
Authors: Franz David R. , Le Duc James W.
Published: October 2021

The human and economic toll of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the unknowns regarding the origins of the virus, with a backdrop of enormous advances in technologies and human understanding of molecular virology, have raised global concerns about the safety of the legitimate infectious disease research enterprise. We acknowledge the safety and security risks resulting from the broad availability of tools and knowledge, tools and knowledge that can be exploited equally for good or harm.
Cryptococcus gattii Species Complex as an Opportunistic Pathogen: Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with the Infection
Authors: Yang Dong-Hoon , England Matthew R. , Salvator Helene , Anjum Seher , Park Yoon-Dong , Marr Kieren A. , Chu Laurie A. , Govender Nelesh P. , Lockhart Shawn R. , Desnos-Ollivier Marie , Chen Sharon , Halliday Catriona , Kan Alex , Chen Jianghan , Wollenberg Kurt R. , Zelazny Adrian , Perfect John R. , Chang Yun C. , Bennett John E. , Holland Steven M. , Meyer Wieland , Williamson Peter R. , Kwon-Chung Kyung J.
Published: October 2021

The
C. neoformans
and
C. gattii
species complex causes cryptococcosis. The
C. neoformans
species complex is known as an opportunistic pathogen since it primarily infects immunocompromised patients.
C. gattii
species complex has been referred to as a primary pathogen due to its high infection frequency in apparently immunocompetent people.
Molecular markers of risk of subsequent invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ: protocol for a population-based cohort study
Authors: Rohan Thomas E , Ginsberg Mindy , Wang Yihong , Couch Fergus J , Feigelson Heather S , Greenlee Robert T , Honda Stacey , Stark Azadeh , Chitale Dhananjay , Wang Tao , Xue Xiaonan , Oktay Maja H , Sparano Joseph A , Loudig Olivier
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a non-obligate precursor of invasive breast cancer (IBC). Many DCIS patients are either undertreated or overtreated. The overarching goal of the study described here is to facilitate detection of patients with DCIS at risk of IBC development. Here, we propose to use risk factor data and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) DCIS tissue from a large, ethnically diverse, population-based cohort of 8175 women with a first diagnosis of DCIS and followed for subsequent IBC to: identify/validate miRNA expression changes in DCIS tissue associated with risk of subsequent IBC; evaluate ipsilateral IBC risk in association with two previously identified marker sets (triple immunopositivity for p16, COX-2, Ki67; Oncotype DX Breast DCIS score); examine the association of risk factor data with IBC risk.

Methods and analysis

We are conducting a series of case–control studies nested within the cohort. Cases are women with DCIS who developed subsequent IBC; controls (2/case) are matched to cases on calendar year of and age at DCIS diagnosis. We project 485 cases/970 controls in the aim focused on risk factors. We estimate obtaining FFPE tissue for 320 cases/640 controls for the aim focused on miRNAs; of these, 173 cases/346 controls will be included in the aim focused on p16, COX-2 and Ki67 immunopositivity, and of the latter, 156 case–control pairs will be included in the aim focused on the Oncotype DX Breast DCIS score®. Multivariate conditional logistic regression will be used for statistical analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of Albert Einstein College of Medicine (IRB 2014-3611), Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Henry Ford Health System, Mayo Clinic, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute and Hackensack Meridian Health, and from Lifespan Research Protection Office. The study results will be presented at meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Analyses of serum and urinary metabolites in individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) consuming a bean-rich diet: relationships with drug metabolites
Authors: Wang Le , Goldberg Erin M. , Taylor Carla G. , Zahradka Peter , Aliani Michel
Published: October 2021

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) has high morbidity and mortality rates. A metabolomics approach was employed to determine whether consumption of bean-rich diets for 8 weeks would impact the metabolomic profile of individuals with PAD. Serum and urine, collected from 54 participants with clinical PAD at baseline and after 8 weeks on 0.3 cups beans/day (n = 19), 0.6 cups beans/day (n = 20), or control (n = 23) diet, and the beans were extracted and analyzed using LC-QTOF-MS. As a result, PGE2 p-acetamidophenyl ester, PGF2α diethyl amide and 5-l-glutamyl-l-alanine were significantly changed in the serum or urine of bean groups compared with control. Significant changes (P < 0.05) in the profile and/or levels of 22 flavonoids present in bean extracts showed the potential importance of the mixture of beans used in this study. In a subset of participants taking metoprolol, after 8 weeks the bean-rich diets significantly elevated metoprolol in the serum while reducing it in urine compared with baseline. In addition, the diets significantly enhanced the urinary excretion of metformin. In conclusion, several biochemical pathways including prostaglandins and glutathione were affected by bean consumption. Significant changes in the metabolism of metoprolol and metformin with bean consumption suggested the presence of diet-drug interactions that may require adjustment of the prescribed dose. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01382056.

Novelty: Bean consumption by people with PAD alters the levels of certain metabolites in serum and urine. Different bean types (black, red kidney, pinto, navy) have unique flavonoid profiles. Metabolomics revealed potential diet–drug interactions as serum and/or urinary levels of metoprolol and metformin are modified by bean consumption.
Novel epigenetic age estimation in wild-caught Gulf of Mexico reef fishes
Authors: Weber D. Nick , Fields Andrew T. , Patterson William F. , Barnett Beverly K. , Hollenbeck Christopher M. , Portnoy David S.
Published: October 2021

Cutting-edge DNA methylation-based epigenetic aging techniques were applied to Gulf of Mexico northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus; n = 10; 1–26 years old) and red grouper (Epinephelus morio; n = 10; 2–14 years old). Bisulfite-converted restriction site-associated DNA sequencing was used to identify CpG sites (cytosines followed by guanines) that exhibit age-correlated DNA methylation, and species-specific epigenetic clocks developed from hundreds of CpG sites in each species showed strong agreement between predicted and otolith-derived age (r2 > 0.99 for both species). Results suggest epigenetic age estimation could provide an accurate and efficient approach to mass-aging fishes in a non-invasive manner.
Habitat occupancy by Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis) in the south of its range in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Casabona i Amat Clara , Blanchette Pierre , Desrochers André
Published: October 2021

Studying habitat occupancy at the margins of the distributions of species can be helpful in clarifying the requirements of species and planning management measures. Spruce Grouse (Canachites canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758)), a bird species associated with northern short-needle coniferous forests in North America, has its southeastern range limit where coniferous forests are mixed with temperate deciduous forests and agricultural lands. Some isolated populations are found in these habitats. Using a single-season occupancy modelling approach, we investigated habitat use by Spruce Grouse, accounting for imperfect detection, in the lowlands of the St. Lawrence River in southern Quebec, Canada. We conducted call-response surveys of Spruce Grouse over three years at 279 sites (59 sites in 2007, 100 sites in 2008, and 120 sites in 2009). At the site level, the probability of occupancy was 21% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 10.7%–37.9%) and probability of detection was 54% (95% CI = 34.7%–73.0%). Based on the covariates in the models, occurrence increased with higher cover of coniferous trees and low deciduous shrubs, and decreased with higher cover of deciduous trees. Finally, detection probability was highest at the beginning of the survey (50% in late April) and was influenced by year.
A tomographic test of cosmic anisotropy with the recently-released quasar sample
Authors: Zhao Dong , Xia Jun-Qing
Published: October 2021

We test the cosmic anisotropy in the dipole-modulated$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model and Finslerian cosmological model with the recently-released quasar sample. Based on the redshift tomographic method, the quasar sample is divided into two subsets$$z \le z_{cut}$$z≤zcutand$$z > z_{cut}$$z>zcutby different cutting redshifts. The dipole amplitudes of the two cosmological models from the subsets$$z \le z_{cut}$$z≤zcutare very weak. We find that quasars at a higher redshift range may provide more detailed information about the dipole amplitude$$A_D$$AD. The dipole directions of each cosmological model from the subsets$$z \le 1.1$$z≤1.1and$$z > 1.1$$z>1.1are deviated by$$1\sigma $$1σlevel. The Pantheon sample is combined with the two subsets. The dipole amplitude from the two combined datasets is also very weak. In the dipole-modulated$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model, the dipole direction from the combined dataset quasar at$$z \le 1.1$$z≤1.1and Pantheon sample is far away from the one given by the Pantheon sample. In the Finslerian cosmological model, the dipole directions from the two combined datasets are close to the one in the Pantheon sample.
A REVIEW ON THE INFLUENCE OF PROCESS PARAMETERS AND HEAT TREATMENT ON THE CORROSION PERFORMANCE OF NI-BASED THERMAL SPRAY COATINGS
Authors: PRASHAR GAURAV , VASUDEV HITESH
Published: October 2021

Various typical engineering components fail from surface under aggressive conditions like oxidation and hot corrosion. This paper is focused on the responsible failure mechanism of oxidation and hot corrosion. The surface properties like corrosion resistance can be enhanced by introducing a layer of Ni-based materials by using thermal coating techniques. The coatings developed by using processes like high velocity oxy-fuel, plasma spray and cold spray exhibits some surface defects like porosity, surface roughness and un-melted particles. Such defects can be further minimized by using optimization of process parameters and various heat treatment processes. The current study is restricted to the analysis of Ni-based coatings developed using high velocity oxy-fuel, plasma spray and cold spray process. In this paper, the optimization of various process parameters along with heat treatments has been discussed in regard to the tailoring of microstructure and the mechanical properties of the developed coatings.
Influence of solvent and axial coordination on self-assembly of a heteroditopic porphyrin derivative
Authors: Wang Shuping , Huang Xuechun , Xu Ziwei , Zhu Benyue , Ye Yang , Zhang Zibin , Li Shijun
Published: October 2021

A novel heteroditopic porphyrin and its zinc complex with four long aliphatic chains on the same side of the porphyrin ring were synthesized and used for controllable self-assembly. A variety of aggregation morphologies, including nanosheets, nanospheres, films, leaves, trunks, nanorods, and disks, were furnished by using different pyridyl ligands to coordinate with the Zn-porphyrin or selecting different solvents.
On geodesically reversible Finsler manifolds
Authors: Fang Yong
Published: October 2021

A Finsler manifold is said to be geodesically reversible if the reversed curve of any geodesic remains a geometrical geodesic. Well-known examples of geodesically reversible Finsler metrics are Randers metrics with closed [Formula: see text]-forms. Another family of well-known examples are projectively flat Finsler metrics on the [Formula: see text]-sphere that have constant positive curvature. In this paper, we prove some geometrical and dynamical characterizations of geodesically reversible Finsler metrics, and we prove several rigidity results about a family of the so-called Randers-type Finsler metrics. One of our results is as follows: let [Formula: see text] be a Riemannian–Finsler metric on a closed surface [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be a small antisymmetric potential on [Formula: see text] that is a natural generalization of [Formula: see text]-form (see Sec. 1). If the Randers-type Finsler metric [Formula: see text] is geodesically reversible, and the geodesic flow of [Formula: see text] is topologically transitive, then we prove that [Formula: see text] must be a closed [Formula: see text]-form. We also prove that this rigidity result is not true for the family of projectively flat Finsler metrics on the [Formula: see text]-sphere of constant positive curvature.
Appalachian coal bed palynofloras: changes in composition through time and comparison with other areas
Authors: Eble Cortland F.
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a summary of palynological data for Pennsylvanian age coal beds in the Appalachian Basin, discussed primarily from a biostratigraphic perspective. Coal bed palynofloras of Lower Pennsylvanian through early Permian age are compared and correlated with miospore assemblage zones established for western Europe, and the Eastern Interior (Illinois) and Western Interior Basins of the mid-continent USA. Lower Pennsylvanian palynofloras, which are dominated by lycopsid spores, are correlative with the Langsettian of western Europe and the Morrowan of the Eastern and Western Interior mid-continent USA Basins. Stratigraphically useful palynotaxa include
Dictyotriletes bireticulatus
,
Radiizonates striatus
,
Schulzospora rara
,
Granasporites medius
,
Laevigatosporites minor
and
Endosporites globiformis
. Middle Pennsylvanian palynofloras change through time, being lycopsid dominant in the lower part and more heterogeneous in the middle and upper parts with increased contributions from other Pennsylvanian plant groups. They are correlative with the Duckmantian, Bolsovian and Asturian of western Europe and the Atokan and Desmoinesian of the Eastern and Western Interior mid-continent USA Basins. Stratigraphically useful palynotaxa include
Secarisporites remotus
,
Microreticulatisporites sulcatus
,
Vestispora fenestrata
,
Triquitrites sculptilis
,
Laevigatosporites globosus
,
Radiizonates difformis
,
Torispora securis
,
Triquitrites minutus
,
Mooreisporites inusitatus
,
Murospora kosankei
,
Thymospora pseudothiessenii
and
Schopfites dimorphus
. Upper Pennsylvanian and lower Permian coal beds in the Appalachian Basin, in contrast to their Lower and Middle Pennsylvanian counterparts, are strongly dominated by tree fern spore palynotaxa. Palynofloras correlate with the Stephanian and Autunian of western Europe and the Missourian, Virgilian and Wolcampian of the Eastern and Western Interior mid-continent USA Basins.
An Explainable Framework for Diagnosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia via Transfer Learning and Discriminant Correlation Analysis
Authors: Lu Siyuan , Wu Di , Zhang Zheng , Wang Shui-Hua
Published: October 2021

The new coronavirus COVID-19 has been spreading all over the world in the last six months, and the death toll is still rising. The accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is an emergent task as to stop the spreading of the virus. In this paper, we proposed to leverage image feature fusion for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in lung window
computed tomography (CT).
Initially, ResNet-18 and ResNet-50 were selected as the backbone deep networks to generate corresponding image representations from the CT images. Second, the representative information extracted from the two networks was fused by discriminant correlation analysis to obtain refined image features. Third, three
randomized neural networks (RNNs):
extreme learning machine, Schmidt neural network and random vector functional-link net, were trained using the refined features, and the predictions of the three RNNs were ensembled to get a more robust classification performance. Experiment results based on five-fold cross validation suggested that our method outperformed state-of-the-art algorithms in the diagnosis of COVID-19.
Social-Spatial Group Queries with Keywords
Authors: Apon Sajid Hasan , Ali Mohammed Eunus , Ghosh Bishwamittra , Sellis Timos
Published: October 2021

Social networks with location enabling technologies, also known as geo-social networks, allow users to share their location-specific activities and preferences through check-ins. A user in such a geo-social network can be attributed to an associated location (spatial), her preferences as keywords (textual), and the connectivity (social) with her friends. The fusion of social, spatial, and textual data of a large number of users in these networks provide an interesting insight for finding meaningful geo-social groups of users supporting many real-life applications, including activity planning and recommendation systems. In this article, we introduce a novel query, namely, Top-
k
Flexible Socio-Spatial Keyword-aware Group Query (SSKGQ), which finds the best
k
groups of
varying sizes
around different points of interest (POIs), where the groups are ranked based on the social and textual cohesiveness among members and spatial closeness with the corresponding POI and the number of members in the group. We develop an efficient approach to solve the SSKGQ problem based on our theoretical upper bounds on distance, social connectivity, and textual similarity. We prove that the SSKGQ problem is NP-Hard and provide an approximate solution based on our derived relaxed bounds, which run much faster than the exact approach by sacrificing the group quality slightly. Our extensive experiments on real data sets show the effectiveness of our approaches in different real-life settings.
Opportunities and Limitations for Reproductive Science in Species Conservation
Authors: Holt William V. , Comizzoli Pierre
Published: October 2021

Reproductive science in the context of conservation biology is often understood solely in terms of breeding threatened species. Although technologies developed primarily for agriculture or biomedicine have a potentially important role in species conservation, their effectiveness is limited if we regard the main objective of animal conservation as helping to support populations rather than to breed a small number of individuals. The global threats facing wild species include the consequences of climate change, population growth, urbanization, atmospheric and water pollution, and the release of chemicals into the environment, to cite but a few. Reproductive sciences provide important and often unexpected windows into many of these consequences, and our aim here is both to demonstrate the breadth of reproductive science and the importance of basic knowledge and to suggest where some of the insights might be useful in mitigating the problems.
The Power of Listening at Work
Authors: Kluger Avraham N. , Itzchakov Guy
Published: October 2021

Listening is associated with and a likely cause of desired organizational outcomes in numerous areas, including job performance, leadership, quality of relationships (e.g., trust), job knowledge, job attitudes, and well-being. To advance understanding of the powerful effects of listening on organizational outcomes, we review the construct of listening, its measurement and experimental manipulations, and its outcomes, antecedents, and moderators. We suggest that listening is a dyadic phenomenon that benefits both the listener and the speaker, including supervisor-subordinate and salesperson-customer dyads. To explain previous findings and generate novel and testable hypotheses, we propose the episodic listening theory: listening can lead to a fleeting state of togetherness, in which dyad members undergo a mutual creative thought process. This process yields clarity, facilitates the generation of novel plans, increases well-being, and strengthens attachment to the conversation partner.
Mitochondrial calcium exchange in physiology and disease
Authors: Garbincius Joanne F. , Elrod John W.
Published: October 2021

The uptake of calcium into and extrusion of calcium from the mitochondrial matrix is a fundamental biological process that has critical effects on cellular metabolism, signaling, and survival. Disruption of mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+) cycling is implicated in numerous acquired diseases such as heart failure, stroke, neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cancer and is genetically linked to several inherited neuromuscular disorders. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for mCa2+ exchange therefore holds great promise for the treatment of these diseases. The past decade has seen the genetic identification of many of the key proteins that mediate mitochondrial calcium uptake and efflux. Here, we present an overview of the phenomenon of mCa2+ transport and a comprehensive examination of the molecular machinery that mediates calcium flux across the inner mitochondrial membrane: the mitochondrial uniporter complex (consisting of MCU, EMRE, MICU1, MICU2, MICU3, MCUB, and MCUR1), NCLX, LETM1, the mitochondrial ryanodine receptor, and the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. We then consider the physiological implications of mCa2+ flux and evaluate how alterations in mCa2+ homeostasis contribute to human disease. This review concludes by highlighting opportunities and challenges for therapeutic intervention in pathologies characterized by aberrant mCa2+ handling and by summarizing critical unanswered questions regarding the biology of mCa2+ flux.
Research on Hydraulic Fracturing Pressure Relief Technology in the Deep High‐Stress Roadway for Surrounding Rock Control
Authors: Zhai Wen , Guo Yachao , Ma Xiaochuan , Li Nailv , Zhang Peng , Ma Kun , Jing Yuanxin , Yu Hong , Li Xiaotong
Published: October 2021

With the increase of mining depth in underground engineering, deep ground pressure has an extremely unfavorable impact on safety production and the economic benefits of coal mines and the control of the roadway stability in deep mines are gradually highlighted. In this study, the working face 14203 of the Zaoquan coal mine was taken as the engineering background, the deformation mechanism of surrounding rock in the deep‐buried high‐stress roadway was analyzed, and the hydraulic fracturing pressure relief technology in the advanced roadway was proposed for surrounding rock control. Finally, the numerical simulation and field tests were used to validate the comprehensive effect of the proposed technology. Without damaging the roadway stability in the working face, the hydraulic fracturing pressure relief technology can optimize the stress environment and stability of the roadway through the artificial control of the roof fracture position. The numerical simulation shows that under the action of hydraulic fracturing, the cutting slot is formed, the deformation and failure mode of the roof are changed, the stress of surrounding rock is reduced, and the development of the plastic zone of surrounding rock is limited. As a result, the stability of surrounding rock in the roadway is effectively protected. The field test shows that after the adoption of hydraulic fracturing pressure relief technology, the roof subsidence, floor separation, bolt stress, and cable stress decrease, and the deformation of surrounding rock is reduced significantly. Therefore, hydraulic fracturing pressure relief technology is verified as an effective method to control the large deformation of the surrounding rock in the deep‐buried roadway.
Application of New Sensor Technology in the Field of Education in the Era of Internet of Things
Authors: Chen Haijun , Ma Cong , Wang Yiwei
Published: October 2021

In order to explore the intelligent education mode in the context of the Internet of Things, this paper combines the Internet of Things technology and sensor technology to improve the sensor technology and proposes a multisensor information fusion technology based on Kalman filtering. Moreover, this paper combines the wireless network technology to construct the system and structure, obtains the functional modules of the intelligent education system based on the Internet of Things technology and the new sensor technology, and analyzes the system realization process. In addition, this paper constructs a smart education system based on the Internet of Things and new sensors and designs experiments to verify the system. The research shows that the method proposed in this paper has good data transmission effect, can effectively improve the effect of intelligent education, and meet the actual needs of current education.