bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of multivariate control charts and decision tree classifier to determine the faults of the quality characteristic(s) of a melt spinning machine used in polypropylene as-spun fiber manufacturing Part I: The application of the Taguchi method and principal component analysis in the processing parameter optimization of the melt spinning process
Authors: Kuo Chung-Feng Jeffrey , Huang Chang-Chiun , Yang Cheng-Han
Published: January 2021

Melt spinning is the most extensively used method of fabricating polymeric fibers in the textile industry. This series of studies aimed to construct an automatic abnormality diagnosis system for polypropylene (PP) as-spun fiber produced by the melt spinning process. Part I of this study aimed to construct the processing parameter optimization for the PP as-spun fiber produced by the melt spinning machine. The product quality resulting from the processing parameters of the melt spinning process included six control factors: extruder temperature, gear pump temperature, die-head temperature, rotational speed of extruder, rotational speed of gear pump, and take-up speed. The quality characteristics included fiber fineness, breaking strength, breaking elongation, and modulus of resilience. The quality data were derived from the experiments, the design of which were based on the orthogonal array of the Taguchi method in order to calculate the signal-to-noise ratio, analysis of variance, and confidence interval. Principal component analysis was then applied to eliminate the multi-correlation of the output responses and transform the correlated responses into principal components, to obtain multi-quality optimum processing parameters. These optimum parameters, including the extruder temperature (180°C), gear pump temperature (220°C), die-head temperature (240°C), the rotational speed of the extruder (7.5 rpm), the rotational speed of the gear pump (15 rpm), and take-up speed (700 rpm) would later be used to build a prediction of an abnormality diagnosis system for identification of fault processing parameters in a melt spinning machine in Part II of this study.
Coming Back Home to Live and Not Die: A Human Geography of a Working-Class Black Gay Male Navigating the Local Higher Education Pipeline
Authors: Dache Amalia Z. , McGuire Keon M.
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study is to illustrate how in the span of three decades, a working-class Black gay male college student residing in a post-industrial city navigated college. Through a postcolonial geographic epistemology and theories of human geography, we explore his narrative, mapping the terrain of sexual, race and class dialects, which ultimately led to Marcus’s (pseudonym) completion of graduate school and community-based policy research. Marcus’s educational human geography reveals the unique and complex intersections of masculinity, Blackness and class as identities woven into his experiences navigating the built environment.
Is the Acknowledgment of Earned Entitlement Effect Robust Across Experimental Modes and Populations?
Authors: Barr Abigail , Miller Luis , Ubeda Paloma
Published: January 2021

We present a set of studies the objective of which was to test the robustness of the acknowledgment of earned entitlement effect across different experimental modes and populations. We present three sets of results. The first is derived from a between-subject analysis of two independent, but comparable samples of nonstudent adults. One sample participated in a standard, behavioral laboratory experiment and the other participated in a survey experiment. The two methods returned similar treatment effects. The second set of results relates to a sample of students drawn from a behavioral laboratory’s pool of registered subjects. They participated in both the behavioral lab and survey experiments. We perform a between-subject comparison of the two treatment-elicitation methods but, this time, focusing on the same sample of subjects. Again, the treatment effects are very similar. Finally, we establish that within-subjects there is some consistency between decisions made under the two methods.
Restatement (Third) of Torts Section 47(b) Bypasses Traditional Barriers
and Offers Aspiring Parents a Clear Path to Recover Stand-Alone NIED when
Their Cryopreserved Reproductive Material is Lost or Destroyed
Authors: Hnylka Joseph M.
Published: January 2021

“[T]he tissue or embryo is not the primary victim at all. The victims
are the parents who have been deprived of the potential to conceive a child
together.”1
Scripture and Ideology
Authors: Sanders James A.
Published: January 2021

Various movements through history have appealed to Scripture for authority. These have been called supersessionist, messianist, and/or zionist, but they continue to appeal to Scripture even after they attain power and thus repress others. Power corrupts, and when this happened in ancient Israel Prophets arose to critique and denounce it. In addition Scripture as canon, both Jewish and Christian, included Wisdom thinking, making it a thoroughly dialogical compendium that questioned abuse of power. The teachings of Jesus are themselves largely prophetic critique of abuses of power. Beyond Scripture prophetic critique can be effected by empathy for the position of “the other” and loving the enemy, thus engaging in the monotheizing process by refusing to demonize those who differ but learning from them.
Gender/Nationality Intersections in Attitudes Toward Gun Carry among Israeli Citizens
Authors: Aharoni Sarai B. , Lewin Alisa C. , Sa’ar Amalia
Published: January 2021

The study explores how nationality and gender effect attitudes on the presence, use, and misuse of guns by security forces and civilians in Israel. Using data from a national survey ( n = 721), we find that Israelis, Jews, and Arabs have more positive attitudes toward military firearms than civilian gun carry. The vast majority agree that display of military arms increases the public sense of security. Numbers are much lower regarding civilian carry. Most respondents, Jews and Arabs, would interfere if witnessed public misuse of firearms. An intersectional analysis finds (1) a gender gap, men have higher odds of reporting a firearm in the household than women; (2) Jews have more positive attitudes toward firearms than Arabs; (3) Jewish men have more positive attitudes toward civilian carry than Jewish women. This gender gap does not appear among Arabs; (4) Jews are more favorable of self-protection as a justification to use arms than Arabs.
Intersectional Social Work Practice: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Peer-Reviewed Recommendations
Authors: Hudson Kimberly D. , Mehrotra Gita R.
Published: January 2021

In the past decade, the use of intersectionality in social work scholarship has grown tremendously. Various applications of intersectionality theorizing have led to new approaches in social work research and, ultimately, have informed implications for practice. In this study, we used critical interpretive synthesis to explore how social work scholars articulate practice implications of an intersectional framework. Seventeen peer-reviewed journal articles that applied intersectionality and included implications for practice were identified. Findings were organized into two domains: (a) implications for practitioners and (b) implications for practice across levels. We discuss the importance of integrating intersectionality theorizing into practice implications in specific and robust ways, and some of the limits of how intersectionality is currently informing practice recommendations within peer-reviewed literature.
Can United States Healthcare Become Environmentally Sustainable? Towards Green Healthcare Reform
Authors: Richie Cristina
Published: January 2021

In 2014, the United States health care industry produced an estimated 480 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2); nearly 8% of the country's total emissions. The importance of sustainability in health care — as a business reliant on fossil fuels for transportation, energy, and operational functioning — is slowly being recognized. These efforts to green health care are incomplete, since they only focus on health care structures. The therapeutic relationship is the essence of health care — not the buildings that contain the practice. As such, this article will first postulate reasons for a lack of environmental sustainability in US health care. Second, the article will focus on current green health care initiatives in the United States in which patients and physicians participate. Third, the rationale for participation in green initiatives will be explained. Fourth, the article will propose that, based on the environmental values of patients and physicians, health care insurance plans and health care insurance companies can be targeted for green health care reform, thereby closing the loop of sustainable health care delivery.
Legal and Ethical Analysis of Advertising for Elective Egg Freezing
Authors: Bayefsky Michelle J.
Published: January 2021

This paper reviews common advertising claims by egg freezing companies and evaluates the medical evidence behind those claims. It then surveys legal standards for truth in advertising, including FTC and FDA regulations and the First Amendment right to free speech. Professional standards for medical advertising, such as guidelines published by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Medical Association (AMA), are also summarized. A number of claims, many of which relate to the targeting of younger women for eOC, are found to breach legal and ethical standards for truth in advertising. The ethical implications of misleading advertising claims are also discussed, and the central narrative woven by OC ads — that egg freezing is empowering to women — is examined. The paper concludes that a more balanced approach to the risks and benefits of OC is necessary to truly respect women's autonomy. Moreover, justice requires us to look beyond a medical procedure accessible only to a minority of women in order to address inequities in the workplace.
Why Regulate Guns?
Authors: Siegel Reva B. , Blocher Joseph
Published: January 2021

Courts reviewing gun laws that burden Second Amendment rights ask how effectively the laws serve public safety — yet typically discuss public safety narrowly, without considering the many dimensions of that interest gun laws serve. “Public safety” is a social good: it includes the public's interest in physical safety as a good in itself, and as a foundation for community and for the exercise of constitutional liberties. Gun laws protect bodies from bullets — and Americans' freedom and confidence to participate in every domain of our shared life, whether to attend school, to shop, to listen to a concert, to gather for prayer, or to assemble in peaceable debate. Courts must enforce the Second Amendment in ways that respect the public health and constitutional reasons a democracy seeks to protect public safety. Lawyers and citizen advocates can help, by creating a richer record of their reasons in seeking to enact laws regulating guns.

This inquiry is urgent at a time when the Supreme Court's new conservative majority may expand restrictions on gun laws beyond the right to keep arms for self-defense in the home first recognized inDistrict of Columbia v. Hellerin 2008.
The Firearms Data Gap
Authors: Durkin Allison , Willmore Brandon , Sarnoff Caroline Nobo , Hemenway David
Published: January 2021

The firearms data infrastructure in the United States is severely limited in scope and fragmented in nature. Improved data systems are needed in order to address gun violence and promote productive conversation about gun policy. In the absence of federal leadership in firearms data systems improvement, motivated states may take proactive steps to stitch gaps in data systems. We propose that states evaluate the gaps in their systems, expand data collection, and improve data presentation and availability.
Emergency Department Visits for Firearm-Related Injuries among Youth in
the United States, 2006–2015
Authors: Lee Victor , Camp Catherine , Jairam Vikram , Park Henry S. , Yu James B.
Published: January 2021

Firearm injuries are a significant public health problem. Prior studies
have analyzed firearm death data or adult firearm injury data, but few
studies have analyzed firearm injury data specifically among youth. To
inform the current debate surrounding gun policy in the United States, this
study aims to provide an estimate of the immense burden of youth firearm
injury and its associated risk factors. Therefore, we performed a
descriptive analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS),
the largest all-payer emergency department database in the United States,
from January 2006 to September 2015. All patients age < 21 who presented
with any diagnosis of firearm-related injuries were included.

There were an estimated 198,839 incidents of firearm-related emergency
department visits for patients age < 21 from 2006 through 2015. After
presenting to the ED, an estimated 11,909 cases resulted in death. The
population adjusted rate of firearm-related emergency department visits was
highest in the South and Midwest. This study demonstrates the significant
burden of firearm injury among youth. Having a reliable estimate of the
number of children harmed by firearms each year is a critical tool for
policymakers — and may make common-sense gun safety measures more
politically possible.
States' Rights, Gun Violence Litigation, and Tort Immunity
Authors: Higgins Hilary J. , Lowy Jonathan E. , Rising Andrew J.
Published: January 2021

The devastating toll of gun violence has given rise to hundreds of lawsuits seeking justice on behalf of victims and their families. A significant number of challenges against gun companies, however, are blocked by courts' broad reading of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) — a federal statute often interpreted to shield the gun industry from civil liability. This article reexamines PLCAA in light of the Supreme Court's recent federalism caselaw, which counsels courts to narrowly construe federal laws that could otherwise upset the balance of power between states and the federal government. Since PLCAA infringes on traditional areas of state authority, the Supreme Court's federalism jurisprudence requires lower courts to interpret PLCAA narrowly, to not bar states from imposing negligence, nuisance, product liability, or other common law liability on gun companies. Reading PLCAA in line with federalism principles would preserve states' traditional authority over their civil justice laws, and enable gun violence victims, and their families, to hold gun companies responsible for wrongdoing.
Gun Violence in Court
Authors: Gluck Abbe R. , Nabavi-Noori Alexander , Wang Susan
Published: January 2021

Litigation cannot solve a public health crisis. But litigation can be an
effective complementary tool to regulation by increasing the salience of a
public health issue, eliciting closely guarded information to move public
opinion, and prompting legislative action. From tobacco to opioids,
litigants have successfully turned to courts for monetary relief, to
initiate systemic change, and to hold industry accountable

For years, litigators have been trying to push firearm suits into their
own litigation moment. But litigation against the gun industry poses special
challenges. Not only has the regulatory regime failed to prevent a public
safety hazard, Congress has consistently underfunded and understaffed the
relevant regulatory actors. And in 2005 it legislatively immunized the gun
industry from suit with the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
(PLCAA).

This paper surveys the field of litigation in response to gun violence,
tracking the limited successes of victims and stakeholders suing the gun
industry. We find that victories remain confined to individual actors and
unlike high-impact public litigations in other areas, aggregate class
actions and major public litigation led by state attorneys general are
noticeably absent in the firearm context.
Regulating 3D-Printed Guns Post-Heller: Why Two Steps Are Better Than
One
Authors: Talbot Thaddeus , Skaggs Adam
Published: January 2021

This article describes why a constitutional test that relies exclusively
on history and tradition for deciding modern firearm regulations is woefully
inadequate when applied to modern technologies. It explains the unique
advancements in firearm technology — specifically, ghost guns — that
challenge the viability of a purely historical test, even if legal scholars
or judges attempt to reason by analogy. This article argues that the
prevailing, two-step approach, which incorporates both history and
tradition, and requires a judicial examination of the purposes and methods
supporting a challenged firearm regulation, should apply nationwide. That a
dissenting faction of conservative judges seeks to ignore the prevailing
approach presents a potentially dangerous path for Second Amendment
jurisprudence. This article draws from certain historical gun laws to
illustrate the difficult legwork that analogies must do under a purely
historical test. It uses the advent of ghost guns as a case study to offer
guidance for judges in their rulemaking practices regarding Second Amendment
cases.
Second Amendment Sanctuaries: A Legally Dubious Protest Movement
Authors: Turret Erica , Parsons Chelsea , Skaggs Adam
Published: January 2021

This article assesses the origins and spread of the Second Amendment sanctuary movement in which localities pass ordinances or resolutions that declare their jurisdiction's view that proposed or enacted state (or federal) gun safety laws are unconstitutional and therefore, local officials will not implement or enforce them. While it is important to assess Second Amendment sanctuaries from a legal perspective, it is equally as important to understand them in the context of a broader protest movement against any efforts to strengthen gun laws. As the gun violence prevention movement has gained strength across the United States, particularly at the state level, gun rights enthusiasts have turned to Second Amendment sanctuaries in order to create a counter narrative to the increasing political power of gun safety. By passing these ordinances or resolutions, local officials legitimize and fuel Second Amendment absolutism which poses real risks to public safety and democracy.
How the Guardianship System Can Help Address Gun Violence
Authors: Kohn Nina A.
Published: January 2021

This article shows how state guardianship law can provide a mechanism for courts to reduce gun violence by removing the right to possess firearms from individuals found, after hearing and due process, to be incapable of safely possessing them. It explores how this often overlooked body of law not only complements extreme risk protection orders where they exist, but can also be used to accomplish a portion of what such orders are designed to do in states that have not authorized them. It concludes by suggesting some modest adjustments to guardianship law and practice that would help ensure that guardianship systems interventions in this arena are fair and effective.
Your Liberty or Your Gun? A Survey of Psychiatrist Understanding of Mental Health Prohibitors
Authors: Newlon Cara , Ayres Ian , Barnett Brian
Published: January 2021

This first-of-its-kind national survey of 485 psychiatrists in nine states and the District of Columbia (DC) finds substantial evidence of clinicians being uninformed, misinformed, and misinforming patients of their gun rights regarding involuntary commitments and voluntary inpatient admissions. A significant percentage of psychiatrists (36.9%) did not understand that an involuntary civil commitment triggered the loss of gun rights, and the majority of psychiatrists in states with prohibitors on voluntary admissions (57%) and emergency holds (56%) were unaware that patients would lose gun rights upon voluntary admission or temporary commitment. Moreover, the survey found evidence that psychiatrists may use gun rights to negotiate “voluntary” commitments with patients: 15.9% of respondents reported telling patients they could preserve their gun rights by permitting themselves to be voluntarily admitted for treatment, in lieu of being involuntarily committed. The results raise questions of whether psychiatrists obtained full informed consent for voluntary patient admissions, and suggest that some medical providers in states with voluntary admission prohibitor laws may unwittingly deprive their patients of a constitutional right. The study calls into question the fairness of state prohibitor laws as policy, and — at minimum — indicates an urgent need for psychiatrist training on their state gun laws.
Investing in the Frontlines: Why Trusting and Supporting Communities of
Color Will Help Address Gun Violence
Authors: Goodwin Amber K. , Grayson TJ
Published: January 2021

This article proposes potential strategies to address gun violence in
communities of color while identifying the harms associated with a
policing-centered, criminal legal approach. In addition to highlighting the
dangers associated with the United States' current criminal legal tactics to
reduce gun violence in these communities, the authors advocate for
community-endorsed strategies that give those impacted by this issue the
resources to take on gun violence in their own communities. Specifically,
they identify, describe, and endorse a series of violence prevention
programs that rely on community relations to detect and prevent incidents of
gun violence and that view gun violence as a public health rather than
criminal legal issue.
Prevention of Firearm Injury through Policy and Law: The Social
Ecological Model
Authors: Durkin Allison , Schenck Christopher , Narayan Yamini , Nyhan Kate , Khoshnood Kaveh , Vermund Sten H.
Published: January 2021

Rates of firearm injury and mortality are far higher in the United
States compared to other high-income nations. Patterns of firearm injury
have complex causal pathways; different social contexts may be
differentially affected by firearm legislation. In the context of the
diversity of social, political, and legal approaches at the state level, we
suggest the application of the social ecological model as a conceptual
public health framework to guide future policy interventions in the
U.S.
A Psoriatic Patient-Based Survey on the Understanding of the Use of Vaccines While on Biologics During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Le Heather , Vender Ronald B.
Published: January 2021

Background

Psoriatic patients who are actively receiving biologic treatment have protocols in place to achieve optimal immunity. Inactivated vaccines are safe to use during biological treatment, without interruption. Conversely, live vaccines are used with caution and likely interruption of treatment. Given the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), nation-wide administration of vaccinations is underway.

Objective

This survey gathered information on the level of education psoriatic patients have concerning vaccinations.

Methods

An electronic survey was sent to 661 patients suffering from psoriasis. Patients originated from a single solo-practitioner community-based dermatology practice.

Results

The average percentage of patients who understand the difference between live and inactivated vaccines between the control and study group was 36.6%. The average response to not knowing the difference between the vaccines was 36.6% and 26.6% were “unsure.” When asked if it was possible to receive inactivated vaccines while on a biologic, the mass response amidst the control and study group was “unsure” (66.9%).

Conclusion

This questionnaire demonstrates that there is a need for supplementary education about vaccines for psoriatic patients on a biologic. Physicians will need to counsel their patients on the use of potential vaccines for SARS-Cov2 while on biologics.
Demographic and Transition Service Predictors of Employment Outcomes for Youth Receiving Supplemental Security Income
Authors: Hartman Ellie C. , Jones Weneaka , Friefeld Kesselmayer Rachel , Brinck Emily A. , Trainor Audrey , Reinhard Alicia , Fuller Rita K. , Schlegelmilch Amanda , Anderson Catherine A.
Published: January 2021

Racially and ethnically diverse youth with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits were randomly assigned to usual services, including available school and vocational rehabilitation (VR) transition services, or enhanced case management and transition services through the Wisconsin Promoting Readiness of Minors in SSI (PROMISE) federal demonstration grant. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis demonstrated increased age, being African American, having a psychiatric disability, and transition services predicted higher youth employment rates. However, enhanced PROMISE transition services were no longer significant in the presence of VR services, suggesting the effect of enhanced services was mediated by increasing engagement in VR. Limitations and implications are discussed regarding the relationship between school and state VR transition services and postsecondary competitive integrated employment outcomes.
Impact of Supine Radiographs to Assess Curve Flexibility in the Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Ramchandran Subaraman , Monsour Ali , Mihas Alexander , George Kevin , Errico Thomas , George Stephen
Published: January 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives:

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the role of supine radiographs in determining flexibility of thoracic and thoracolumbar curves.

Methods:

Ninety operative AIS patients with 2-year follow-up from a single institution were queried and classified into MT structural and TL structural groups. Equations were derived using linear regression to compute cut-off values for MT and TL curves. Thresholds were externally validated in a separate database of 60 AIS patients, and positive and negative predictive values were determined for each curve.

Results:

MT supine values were highly predictive of MT side-bending values (TL group: 0.63, P < 0.001; MT group: 0.66, P = 0.006). Similarly, TL supine values were highly predictive of TL side-bending values (TL group: 0.56, P = 0.001 MT group: 0.68, P = 0.001). From our derived equations, MT and TL curves were considered structural on supine films if they were ≥ 30° and 35°, respectively. Contingency table analysis of external validity sample showed that supine films were highly predictive of structurality of MT curve (Sensitivity = 0.91, PPV = 0.95, NPV = 0.81) and TL curve (Sensitivity = 0.77, PPV = 0.81, NPV = 0.94). ROC analysis revealed that the area under curve for MT structurality from supine films was 0.931 (SEM: 0.03, CI: 0.86-0.99, P < 0.001) and TL structurality from supine films was 0.922 (SEM: 0.03, CI- 0.84-0.98, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

A single preoperative supine radiograph is highly predictive of side-bending radiographs to assess curve flexibility in AIS. A cut-off of ≥ 30° for MT and ≥ 35° for TL curves in supine radiographs can determine curve structurality.
Midterm Outcomes and Satisfaction After Hip Arthroscopy Are Associated With Postoperative Rehabilitation Factors
Authors: Amar Eyal , Martin RobRoy L. , Tudor Adrian , Factor Shai , Atzmon Ran , Rath Ehud
Published: January 2021

Background:

Arthroscopic hip-preservation surgery is commonly performed to address nonarthritic sources of hip pain in young, active individuals. However, there is little evidence to support postoperative rehabilitation protocols, including the most appropriate frequency and length of individual formal physical therapy sessions. There is also a lack of information to look at patients’ perceived value of their home program/self-practice in relation to outcomes.

Purpose:

To investigate postoperative rehabilitation factors after hip arthroscopy related to formal physical therapy and home program/self-practice and their correlation with patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 125 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and a labral tear (75 men) were included. The mean age was 34.6 ± 14.4 years, and the mean follow-up time was 4.9 ± 1.6 years. Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living subscale (HOS-ADL) scores, overall satisfaction scores, and factors related to supervised physical therapy and home program/self-practice were collected. Correlations between continuous variables and differences in the length of individual formal physical therapy and patients’ rating of the importance of their home program/self-practice between those who would and those who would not undergo surgery again were assessed.

Results:

The frequency and length of individual formal physical therapy sessions were significantly correlated with postoperative HOS-ADL scores ( r = 0.22, P = .014; and r = 0.24, P = .007, respectively) and level of satisfaction ( r = 0.24, P = .007; and r = 0.21, P = .02, respectively). The length of individual formal physical therapy sessions was significantly greater in those who noted they would undergo surgery again (35.3 vs 26.3; P = .033). A significant correlation was identified between the rating of the importance of their home program/self-practice and postoperative HOS-ADL scores ( r = 0.29; P = .001) and their level of satisfaction ( r = 0.23; P = .009). There was a significant difference in the rating of the importance of their home program/self-practice between those who would undergo surgery again and those who would not (8.9 vs 7.8; P = .007).

Conclusion:

Surgeons and physical therapists should emphasize the value of home program/self-practice when it comes to outcomes and may want to encourage their patients to participate in more frequent, longer, formal physical therapy sessions.
Biogeochemical formation of metalliferous laminations in surficial environments
Authors: Henne Anicia , Craw Dave , Hamilton Jessica , Paz Anat , Kerr Gemma , Paterson David , Shuster Jeremiah , Southam Gordon
Published: January 2021

Finely laminated (cm–μm scale) metalliferous precipitates are widespread in the surficial environment, especially around mineral deposits and reflect biogeochemical processes that can pervade near-surface environments on a larger scale. Examples in this paper involve precipitates of the transition metals Fe, Cu and Mn with minor Co, Ni, V and Zn; the metalloids As and Sb; and authigenic Au. Mobility and re-precipitation are driven primarily by geochemical disequilibrium, especially with respect to pH and redox states, that arises from complex interactions between biological processes, geological processes, and variations in the surrounding environment. Different degrees of chemical disequilibrium arise on small spatial scales on time scales of days to millennia. Interactions between biota, waters and rocks in these small near-surface settings affect the biogeochemical environments. Sulfur- and iron-oxidising bacteria are common biogeochemical agents associated with sulfide-bearing lithologies, but localised reductive environments can also develop, leading to gradients in pH and redox state and differential metal mobility. In general, there is commonly a spatial separation of Fe-rich precipitates from those with Cu and Mn, and other transition metals also follow Cu and Mn rather than Fe. Metalloids As and Sb have a strong affinity for Fe under oxidising conditions, but not under more reducing conditions. However, complex biogeochemical parageneses of laminated metalliferous deposits preclude prediction of finer formation details. The textures, mineral species, and metal associations within these deposits are likely to be encountered in all facets of mineral deposit development: initial exploration activity of near-surface locations, mining of shallow portions of orebodies, especially supergene zones, and downstream environmental management with respect to discharging metalliferous waters.
Uncovering the genetic mechanisms regulating panicle architecture in rice with GPWAS and GWAS
Authors: Zhong Hua , Liu Shuai , Meng Xiaoxi , Sun Tong , Deng Yujuan , Kong Weilong , Peng Zhaohua , Li Yangsheng
Published: January 2021

Background

The number of panicles per plant, number of grains per panicle, and 1000-grain weight are important factors contributing to the grain yield per plant in rice. The Rice Diversity Panel 1 (RDP1) contains a total of 421 purified, homozygous rice accessions representing diverse genetic variations within O. sativa. The release of High-Density Rice Array (HDRA, 700 k SNPs) dataset provides a new opportunity to discover the genetic variants of panicle architectures in rice.

Results

In this report, a new method genome-phenome wide association study (GPWAS) was performed with 391 individuals and 27 traits derived from RDP1 to scan the relationship between the genes and multi-traits. A total of 1985 gene models were linked to phenomic variation with a p-value cutoff of 4.49E-18. Besides, 406 accessions derived from RDP1 with 411,066 SNPs were used to identify QTLs associated with the total spikelets number per panicle (TSNP), grain number per panicle (GNP), empty grain number per panicle (EGNP), primary branch number (PBN), panicle length (PL), and panicle number per plant (PN) by GLM, MLM, FarmCPU, and BLINK models for genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses. A total of 18, 21, 18, 17, 15, and 17 QTLs were identified tightly linked with TSNP, GNP, EGNP, PBN, PL, and PN, respectively. Then, a total of 23 candidate genes were mapped simultaneously using both GWAS and GPWAS methods, composed of 6, 4, 5, 4, and 4 for TSNP, GNP, EGNP, PBN, and PL. Notably, one overlapped gene (Os01g0140100) were further investigated based on the haplotype and gene expression profile, indicating this gene might regulate the TSNP or panicle architecture in rice.

Conclusions

Nearly 30 % (30/106) QTLs co-located with the previous published genes or QTLs, indicating the power of GWAS. Besides, GPWAS is a new method to discover the relationship between genes and traits, especially the pleiotropy genes. Through comparing the results from GWAS and GPWAS, we identified 23 candidate genes related to panicle architectures in rice. This comprehensive study provides new insights into the genetic basis controlling panicle architectures in rice, which lays a foundation in rice improvement.
Whole-genome characterization of Rosa chinensis AP2/ERF transcription factors and analysis of negative regulator RcDREB2B in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Wei , Geng Ziwen , Zhang Cuiping , Wang Kuiling , Jiang Xinqiang
Published: January 2021

Background

Rose (Rosa chinensis) is a traditional famous flower with valuable ornamental characteristics. However, drought stress restricts its growth and development, leading to an abnormal phenotype. One of the main transcription factor (TF) protein groups in the plant kingdom are the APETALA2/ethylene-responsive factor (AP2/ERF) proteins and are potentially involved in the growth and stress responses of various plants.

Results

Our investigation mainly focused on exploring the genome of rose and thereby we discovered 135 apparent AP2/ERF TFs. Phylogenic analyses revealed that RcAP2/ERF genes are categorized into DREB, Soloist, AP2, and ERF subfamilies, and are further classified these into 17 groups, with the same as Malus domestica and Arabidopsis thaliana. The analysis of the gene structure revealed that the introns ranged from 0 to 9 in number. Pattern examination demonstrated that the RcAP2/ERF predominantly consists of typical AP2 domains, of which the 2nd motif is the most ubiquitous. Distributions of cis-acting elements indicated that members of the AP2/ERF family are frequently involved in growth and development, phytohormone and stress response in rose species. Also, the distribution mapping of the rose chromosomes indicated that AP2/ERF class genes are dispersed among all seven chromosomes. Additionally, we isolated a novel DREB A2 subgroup gene and named it RcDREB2B. Subsequently, the RcDREB2B transcript accumulation was repressed under the mild and severe drought stress in the root samples of rose. RcDREB2B was targeted to the nucleus and exhibited transactivation in yeast cells. The overexpression of RcDREB2B was found to promote sensitivity to a higher salt concentration, ABA, and PEG at the germination and post-germination stages. Twelve putative osmotic and ABA-related genes were impaired in RcDREB2B-overexpressing plants.

Conclusions

The results provide comprehensive information regarding the gene structure, phylogenic, and distribution of the rose AP2/ERF family and bring insight into the complex transcriptional gene regulation of RcAP2/ERF. Findings in this study would also contribute to further understanding of the RcDREB2B gene in rose.
Analysis of histology and long noncoding RNAs involved in the rabbit hair follicle density using RNA sequencing
Authors: Ding Haisheng , Zhao Huiling , Zhao Xiaowei , Qi Yunxia , Wang Xiaofei , Huang Dongwei
Published: January 2021

Background

Hair follicle density influences wool fibre production, which is one of the most important traits of the Wan Strain Angora rabbit. However, molecular mechanisms regulating hair follicle density have remained elusive.

Results

In this study, hair follicle density at different body sites of Wan Strain Angora rabbits with high and low wool production (HWP and LWP) was investigated by histological analysis. Haematoxylin-eosin staining showed a higher hair follicle density in the skin of the HWP rabbits. The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) profile was investigated by RNA sequencing, and 50 and 38 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and genes, respectively, were screened between the HWP and LWP groups. A gene ontology analysis revealed that phospholipid, lipid metabolic, apoptotic, lipid biosynthetic, and lipid and fatty acid transport processes were significantly enriched. Potential functional lncRNAs that regulate lipid metabolism, amino acid synthesis, as well as the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and hedgehog signalling pathways, were identified. Consequently, five lncRNAs (LNC_002171, LNC_000797, LNC_005567, LNC_013595, and LNC_020367) were considered to be potential regulators of hair follicle density and development. Three DE lncRNAs and genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR).

Conclusions

LncRNA profiles provide information on lncRNA expression to improve the understanding of molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of hair follicle density.
Ex vivo mRNA expression of toll-like receptors during latent tuberculosis infection
Authors: Alemnew Birhan , Hoff Soren T. , Abebe Tamrat , Abebe Markos , Aseffa Abraham , Howe Rawleigh , Wassie Liya
Published: January 2021

Background

Understanding immune mechanisms, particularly the role of innate immune markers during latent TB infection remains elusive. The main objective of this study was to evaluate mRNA gene expression patterns of toll-like receptors (TLRs) as correlates of immunity during latent TB infection and further infer their roles as potential diagnostic biomarkers.

Methods

Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were analysed in a total of 64 samples collected from apparently healthy children and adolescents latently infected with tuberculosis (n = 32) or non-infected (n = 32). Relative expression in peripheral blood of selected genes encoding TLRs (TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4, TLR-6 and TLR-9) was determined with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) using specific primers and florescent labelled probes and a comparative threshold cycle method to define fold change. Data were analysed using Graph-Pad Prism 7.01 for Windows and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

An increased mean fold change in the relative expression of TLR-2 and TLR-6 mRNA was observed in LTBI groups relative to non-LTBI groups (p < 0.05), whereas a slight fold decrease was observed for TLR-1 gene.

Conclusions

An increased mRNA expression of TLR-2 and TLR-6 was observed in latently infected individuals relative to those non-infected, possibly indicating the roles these biomarkers play in sustenance of the steady state interaction between the dormant TB bacilli and host immunity.
Application of imiquimod-induced murine psoriasis model in evaluating interleukin-17A antagonist
Authors: Li Qingran , Liu Weiping , Gao Shidong , Mao Yao , Xin Yanfei
Published: January 2021

Background

Interleukin-17A (IL17A) is a proinflammatory cytokine critically involved in autoimmune diseases, and monoclonal antibodies of IL17A have been approved for clinical treatment of psoriasis. However, a usable psoriatic animal model has been always required for preclinical evaluation of IL17A antagonists. Imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model is widely used in fundamental research, but it’s not able to accurately show anti-psoriatic effect of IL17A antagonists with conventional modelling condition.

Results

On female C57BL/6 mice, with optimization on the usage of IMQ, positive control reagent and anti-mIL17A antibody, a 7-day model with proper testing window, acceptable disease severity as well as high repeatability was developed, and the efficacy of IL17A antagonist can be objectively evaluated by several qualitative and quantitative indices. Meanwhile, we validated the detailed involvement of IL17A signaling in disease progression, confirmed that the expression levels of IL17A and its related cytokines were induced by IMQ application, and its downstream cytokines can be inhibited by IL17A antagonist treatment. In further study, we revealed that IL17A was transient induced by IMQ and directly caused downstream signaling activation. This finding on the kinetical change of IL17A signaling will manifest the pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics investigation of IL17A antagonists.

Conclusions

Our work presents the application of a convenient psoriatic animal model in the research and development of IL17A antagonists, meanwhile providing extra evidence for understanding IL17A’s role in the progression of IMQ-induced psoriasis model, which manifest the research and development of IL17A antagonists.
Integrative transcriptomic, proteomic, and machine learning approach to identifying feature genes of atrial fibrillation using atrial samples from patients with valvular heart disease
Authors: Liu Yaozhong , Bai Fan , Tang Zhenwei , Liu Na , Liu Qiming
Published: January 2021

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with poorly understood mechanisms. We aimed to investigate the biological mechanism of AF and to discover feature genes by analyzing multi-omics data and by applying a machine learning approach.

Methods

At the transcriptomic level, four microarray datasets (GSE41177, GSE79768, GSE115574, GSE14975) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which included 130 available atrial samples from AF and sinus rhythm (SR) patients with valvular heart disease. Microarray meta-analysis was adopted to identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs). At the proteomic level, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteomics in the left atrial appendage of 18 patients (9 with AF and 9 with SR) who underwent cardiac valvular surgery was conducted. The machine learning correlation-based feature selection (CFS) method was introduced to selected feature genes of AF using the training set of 130 samples involved in the microarray meta-analysis. The Naive Bayes (NB) based classifier constructed using training set was evaluated on an independent validation test set GSE2240.

Results

863 DEGs with FDR < 0.05 and 482 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with FDR < 0.1 and fold change > 1.2 were obtained from the transcriptomic and proteomic study, respectively. The DEGs and DEPs were then analyzed together which identified 30 biomarkers with consistent trends. Further, 10 features, including 8 upregulated genes (CD44, CHGB, FHL2, GGT5, IGFBP2, NRAP, SEPTIN6, YWHAQ) and 2 downregulated genes (TNNI1, TRDN) were selected from the 30 biomarkers through machine learning CFS method using training set. The NB based classifier constructed using the training set accurately and reliably classify AF from SR samples in the validation test set with a precision of 87.5% and AUC of 0.995.

Conclusion

Taken together, our present work might provide novel insights into the molecular mechanism and provide some promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets of AF.
The association between serum copper concentrations and elevated blood pressure in US children and adolescents: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016
Authors: Liu Changsong , Liao Yanfen , Zhu Zongyuan , Yang Lili , Zhang Qin , Li Li
Published: January 2021

Background

Copper is an essential trace metal with potential interest for cardiovascular effects. Few studies have explored the association between copper and blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Method

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 1242 children and adolescents aged 8–17 years who participated in the 2011 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, elevated blood pressure (EBP) was defined as a mean systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 90th percentile for sex, age, and height for children aged 1–12 years and systolic BP ≥ 120 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 80 mmHg for adolescent age 13–17 years. Mean serum copper was 114.17 μg/dL.

Results

After multiple adjustments, dose–response analyses revealed that EBP was associated with progressively higher serum copper concentrations in a nonlinear trend. In comparison with the lowest quartile of serum copper concentrations, the adjusted odds of EBP for the highest quartile was 5.26 (95% confidence interval, 2.76–10.03).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that high serum copper concentrations were significantly associated with EBP in US children and adolescents.
Dietary patterns and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Salehi-sahlabadi Ammar , Sadat Samaneh , Beigrezaei Sara , Pourmasomi Makan , Feizi Awat , Ghiasvand Reza , Hadi Amir , Clark Cain C. T. , Miraghajani Maryam
Published: January 2021

Background

Nutrition is a modifiable risk factor that plays an important role in the prevention or delaying of the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previous studies have focused on NAFLD and individual nutrients, which does not take into account combinations of food that are consumed. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between major dietary patterns and NAFLD.

Methods

This case–control study was conducted on 225 newly diagnosed NAFLD patients and 450 healthy controls. Usual dietary intake over the preceding year was assessed using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Major dietary patterns were determined by exploratory factor analysis.

Results

Three dietary patterns, including "western dietary pattern", "healthy dietary pattern", and "traditional dietary pattern" were identified. Subjects in the highest tertile of healthy dietary pattern scores had a lower odds ratio for NAFLD than those in the lowest tertile. Compared with those in the lowest tertile, people in the highest tertile of “western dietary pattern” scores had greater odds for NAFLD. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, “western dietary pattern” had a positive significant effect on NAFLD occurrence. In contrast, “healthy dietary pattern” was associated with a decreased risk of NAFLD. Furthermore, Higher consumption of the “traditional dietary pattern” was significantly associated with NAFLD, albeit in the crude model only.

Conclusion

This study indicated that healthy and western dietary patterns may be associated with the risk of NAFLD. The results can be used for developing interventions in order to promote healthy eating for the prevention of NAFLD.