bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of pre-resection obesity on post-resection body composition after 75% small bowel resection in rats
Authors: Patel Neesha S. , Yanala Ujwal R. , Aravind Shruthishree , Reidelberger Roger D. , Thompson Jon S. , Carlson Mark A.
Published: November 2020

Background

In patients with short bowel syndrome, an elevated pre-resection Body Mass Index may be protective of post-resection body composition. We hypothesized that rats with diet-induced obesity would lose less lean body mass after undergoing massive small bowel resection compared to non-obese rats.

Methods

Rats (CD®IGS; age = 2 mo; N = 80) were randomly assigned to either a high-fat (obese rats) or a low-fat diet (non-obese rats), and fed ad lib for six months. Each diet group then was randomized to either underwent a 75% distal small bowel resection (massive resection) or small bowel transection with re-anastomosis (sham resection). All rats then were fed ad lib with an intermediate-fat diet (25% of total calories) for two months. Body weight and quantitative magnetic resonance-determined body composition were monitored.

Results

Preoperative body weight was 884 ± 95vs. 741 ± 75 g, and preoperative percent body fat was 35.8 ± 3.9vs. 24.9 ± 4.6%; high-fatvs. low fat diet, respectively (p < 0.0001); preoperative diet type had no effect on lean mass. Regarding total body weight, massive resection produced an 18%vs. 5% decrease in high-fat vs. low-fat rats respectively, while sham resection produced a 2% decreasevs. a 7% increase, respectively (p < 0.0001, preoperativevs. necropsy data). Sham resection had no effect on lean mass; after massive resection, both high-fat and low-fat rats lost lean mass, but these changes were not different between the latter two rat groups.

Conclusion

The high-fat diet and low-fat diet induced obesity and marginal obesity, respectively. The massive resection produced greater weight loss in high-fat rats compared to low-fat rats. The type of dietary preconditioning had no effect on lean mass loss after massive resection. A protective effect of pre-existing obesity on lean mass after massive intestinal resection was not demonstrated.
Structure of the Human Signal Peptidase Complex Reveals the Determinants for Signal Peptide Cleavage
Authors: Liaci A. Manuel , Steigenberger Barbara , Tamara Sem , de Souza Paulo Cesar Telles , Gröllers-Mulderij Mariska , Ogrissek Patrick , Marrink Siewert J. , Scheltema Richard A. , Förster Friedrich
Published: November 2020

The signal peptidase complex (SPC) is an essential membrane complex in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it removes signal peptides (SPs) from a large variety of secretory pre-proteins with exquisite specificity. Although the determinants of this process have been established empirically, the molecular details of SP recognition and removal remain elusive. Here, we show that the human SPC exists in two functional paralogs with distinct proteolytic subunits. We determined the atomic structures of both paralogs using electron cryo-microscopy and structural proteomics. The active site is formed by a catalytic triad and abuts the ER membrane, where a transmembrane window collectively formed by all subunits locally thins the bilayer. This unique architecture generates specificity for thousands of SPs based on the length of their hydrophobic segments.
A FGF2-mediated incoherent feedforward loop induces Erk inhibition and promotes naïve pluripotency
Authors: Gharibi Borzo , Gonçalves Emanuel , Nashun Buhe , Montoya Alex , Mankalow Katherine , Strohbuecker Stephanie , Sheriff Rahuman S M , Cicarrelli Alessandro , Carvalho Joana , Nye Emma , Kramer Holger , Rosewell Ian , Hajkova Petra , Beltrao Pedro , Santos Silvia D. M.
Published: November 2020

Naïve pluripotency is a transient state during mammalian development that can be recapitulated indefinitelyin vitroby inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/Erk) signalling and activation of STAT and Wnt pathways. How Erk is inhibitedin vivoto promote naïve pluripotency remains largely unknown. By combining live cell imaging and quantitative proteomics we found that FGF2, a known Erk activator and pro-differentiation cue, induces instead long-term Erk inhibition in both ES cells and mouse embryos. We show that Erk inhibition results from a FGF2-induced incoherent feedforward loop. Importantly, we see that FGF2 induces up-regulation of naïve pluripotency factors, down-regulation of DNA methylation by suppression ofde novoDNA methylases thereby helping maintain naïve pluripotency. We show that FGF2 is expressed maternally and propose that integration of signals from the embryo’s niche may contribute to the generation of embryonic lineages with the right cell proportions. We suggest that feedforward regulation may play a role driving transient, reversible developmental transitions.
Government equity investment, effective communication and public private partnership (PPP) performance: evidence from China
Authors: Hu Zhen , Li Qianmeng , Liu Tingting , Wang Lu , Cheng Zhe
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Public private partnership (PPP) has gained increasing popularity around the globe. Whether the government needs to participate in the PPP special purpose vehicle (SPV) as an equity coinvestor is a critical issue in PPP development. This research aims to examine the influence of government equity investment on PPP performance by taking public-private communication as an intermediate variable.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was adopted as the main research method. PPP practitioners with extensive experiences from both the public and private sectors were targeted respondents. The survey results were subsequently analyzed using statistical data analysis method.

Findings

Based on the results from the questionnaire survey, this research indicates an inverted U-shaped relationship between the ratio of government equity and performance in PPP projects. In addition, communication plays a mediating role between government equity investment and PPP project performance.

Originality/value

This research explicates the relationship between the equity structure in a PPP SPV and the project performance. It provides important guidance and reference for PPP practitioners to structure the SPV and associated financial and commercial arrangements. It also offers valuable insights into the development of PPP policy, especially regarding the structuring of PPP models in China and elsewhere.
Fuzzy fault tree analysis for controlling robot-related accidents involving humans in industrial plants: a case study
Authors: Komal
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In recent years, the application of robots in different industrial sectors such as nuclear power generation, construction, automobile, firefighting and medicine, etc. is increasing day by day. In large industrial plants generally humans and robots work together to accomplish several tasks and lead to the problem of safety and reliability because any malfunction event of robots may cause human injury or even death. To access the reliability of a robot, sufficient amount of failure data is required which is sometimes very difficult to collect due to rare events of any robot failures. Also, different types of their failure pattern increase the difficulty which finally leads to the problem of uncertainty. To overcome these difficulties, this paper presents a case study by assessing fuzzy fault tree analysis (FFTA) to control robot-related accidents to provide safe working environment to human beings in any industrial plant.

Design/methodology/approach

Presented FFTA method uses different fuzzy membership functions to quantify different uncertainty factors and applies alpha-cut coupled weakest t-norm (Tω) based approximate fuzzy arithmetic operations to obtain fuzzy failure probability of robot-human interaction fault event which is the main contribution of the paper.

Findings

The result obtained from presented FFTA method is compared with other listing approaches. Critical basic events are also ranked using V-index for making suitable action plan to control robot-related accidents. Study indicates that the presented FFTA is a good alternative method to analyze fault in robot-human interaction for providing safe working environment in an industrial plant.

Originality/value

Existing fuzzy reliability assessment techniques designed for robots mainly use triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs), triangle vague sets (TVS) or triangle intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFS) to quantify data uncertainty. Present study overcomes this shortcoming and generalizes the idea of fuzzy reliability assessment for robots by adopting different IFS to control robot-related accidents to provide safe working environment to human. This is the main contribution of the paper.
“No shit Sherlock”! Canine DNA and policing public space
Authors: Langstone Delia
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper argues that this animal surveillance has the potential for considerable function creep going far outside the scheme's original objectives and acts as a conduit for more problematic surveillance of humans. This results in social sorting of people with subsequent unforeseen consequences leading to discrimination and curtailment of freedoms for both animals and their owners. Ultimately this opens people up to further intrusive targeting by commercial interests and, more alarmingly, scrutiny from law enforcement agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study examining an initiative involving the collection of canine DNA sources data from publicly available Cabinet, Select Committee and Scrutiny Committee records from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD). It also draws on news media sources, publicity material from the company running the scheme and from this and other local authorities. Methods include analysis of documents, semiotic and discourse analysis.

Findings

This paper highlights the importance of animals to surveillance studies and examines the extent to which animals are a part of the surveillant assemblage in their own right. It also demonstrates how nonhuman animals extend the reach of the surveillant assemblage.

Social implications

The scheme was called a badge of considerate dog ownership, yet it is one that can be franchised to tie up with diverse income streams being described as advantageous in the age of austerity. In 2017, it was reported that this scheme was to be rolled out in other areas and was moving from being voluntary to being mandatory with the enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). These have been described as “geographically defined ASBOS” that have come into force under the Anti-social Behaviour and Policing Act (2014); they often work to criminalise activities that were not previously considered illegal.

Originality/value

In the theorising of surveillance, animals have been largely overlooked. Epidemiological studies proliferate, yet the role of animals in many aspects of everyday surveillance has been neglected.
A systemic response to supporting frontline inpatient mental health staff in coping with the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Cotter Padraig , Jhumat Nicola , Garcha Eshia , Papasileka Eirini , Parker Jennifer , Mupfupi Ishmael , Currie Ian
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the process of supporting frontline inpatient mental health staff in developing ways of coping with COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

A whole system approach was used in formulating and developing support structures with particular focus on relationship-focused coping.

Findings

Interventions were developed to support staff in coping with problem-focused (e.g. systemic changes) and emotion-focused challenges (e.g. deaths of colleagues). These included psychoeducation, mindfulness-based meditation and rituals to mark the deaths of colleagues. Staff SPACE (Stopping to Process and Consider Events) sessions were used to support staff in managing the many emotions they were experiencing. Positive psychology-based interventions were used to keep morale up and help people to stay motivated. The process of seeking feedback and making changes was introduced to support staff in feeling heard and having a voice. The maternal or master intervention within each of the above was the relational component.

Practical implications

This work aimed to boost the emotional and psychological literacy of the system. This will be important in the aftermath of the pandemic and could have many benefits thereafter.

Social implications

The post-COVID-19 health-care workforce will experience significant challenges in terms of readjustment and recovery. It is important that appropriate measures are put in place to ameliorate this.

Originality/value

An innovative systemic formulation of the impact of COVID-19 on frontline staff, and a coordinated way of dealing with this, is outlined.
ResearchGate Altmetric scores and Scopus bibliometric indicators among lecturers
Authors: Nasibi-Sis Hamed , Valizadeh-Haghi Saeideh , Shekofteh Maryam
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Many researchers in ResearchGate (RG) engage in scholarly activity and share research findings. The researchers' activities in this social network may increase the probability of their works being cited. Thus, this study aims to examine the status of RG indices and the Scopus citation indicators of the allied medical sciences lecturers and their association with their academic rankings.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study was performed. As a first step, the names of all 50 lecturers at the School of Allied Medical Sciences were searched through RG to find all the lecturers with profiles. Then, the h-index as well as the number of citations by them were extracted from Scopus. Spearman's correlation coefficient test was performed to explore the association of the RG score with the Scopus citation indicators and the academic rankings of the lecturers.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that there is a statistically significant relationship between the RG indices (except the question and answer indices) and the Scopus citation indicators with the academic rankings of the lecturers (p-value < 0.01).

Originality/value

Knowledge of the significant relationship between the RG indices and the Scopus citation indicators may encourage the lecturers to make more efforts to be active on RG. Furthermore, policymakers can encourage their researchers and lecturers to be more active in this scientific social network, which could lead to promoting the university rankings in the global and national rankings systems.
Parametric optimization in die-sinking EDM of Nimonic 90 alloy using Taguchi-based GRA approach
Authors: Sharma Sahil , Vates Umesh Kumar , Bansal Amit
Published: November 2020

Purpose

In the current exploration, the machining of a Nimonic 90 superalloy material was carried out in a die-sinking electric discharge machine. Experimentation was performed to investigate the impact of three input machining factors – current (I), pulse on time (Ton) and pulse off time (Toff) – on various response characteristics such as material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (Ra) and electrode wear rate (EWR).

Design/methodology/approach

A Taguchi L9 design and ANOVA were used to assess machine response characteristics. The study also involved a grey relational analysis (GRA) multi-objective technique of optimization.

Findings

For single-objective performance, the most appropriate machining factors for achieving the best performance were attained as: MRR (I = 20 A, Ton = 200 µs and Toff = 45 µs), Ra (I = 14 A, Ton = 100 µs and Toff = 25 µs) and EWR (I = 17 A, Ton = 150 µs and Toff = 45 µs). The proposed grey relational approach provided the optimal settings (i.e. 14 A I, 100 µs Ton and 25 µs Toff) for the variables used to calculate the predicted and experimental results. Also, a confirmation test indicated that the final experimental grey relational grade value was enhanced when the experimentation was performed at optimal setting.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present work is the first to examine the proposed machining variables (i.e. current, pulse on time and pulse off time) in relation to the optimization technique of GRA for a Nimonic 90 alloy using a die-sinking electric discharge machining method.
Strategic factors predicting the likelihood of youth entrepreneurship in Ghana: a logistic regression analysis
Authors: Damoah Obi Berko Obeng
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The paper sought to make contribution to youth entrepreneurship research field. This is because whilst youth entrepreneurship presents enormous socio-economic benefits, including economic growth, diversification, innovation and poverty elimination earlier research have paid more attention to adults' entrepreneurship with less attention been paid to youth entrepreneurship resulting in a compelling research gap following the present huge youth unemployment across the world. Consequently, the motivation of the paper is to guide public policy and practice on the promotion of youth entrepreneurship, especially in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs the survey research design based on logistic regression analysis as the key analytical technique to examine data. The choice of the logistic regression model is due to the fact that the main research question that informs the study is a dichotomous one. Hence it was found appropriate to select the logit regression model based on similar works in the field.

Findings

Over all, the results show that lack of financial support from one's family background, early entry into formal employment, as well as being born into entrepreneurial dominated families significantly predict the probability of a youth considering entrepreneurship as an attractive life venture.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on non-probability sampling method and so readers must bear that in mind when they are interpreting the results.

Practical implications

Following from the findings, one of the practical implications is that youth entrepreneurs must align the external influences to the internal capacity of the businesses to initiate and/or start sustainable entrepreneurial ventures.

Originality/value

The study sheds light from an under-explored and new geographical context to advance existing knowledge in the field.
Characteristic distribution of maculopapular rash caused by gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Tohyama Mikiko , Asagi Akinori , Nakasya Akio , Iuchi Shunsuke , Hashine Katsuyoshi
Published: November 2020

Skin toxicity induced by gemcitabine, a chemotherapeutic agent, is not rare, but is usually mild. However, the occurrence of moderate to severe skin rash has been reported in patients treated with combinations of gemcitabine and other anticancer drugs. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of rash caused by gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy. We analyzed 12 patients who developed maculopapular rash over more than 10% of their body surface following gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy. Maculopapular rash appeared at 6.3 ± 1.3 days after the first administration in eight patients and the second administration in four patients. In two patients, the rash was localized on the lateral aspect of the trunk. The other 10 patients showed various degrees of rash on the chest and abdomen, in addition to the lateral aspect of the trunk. However, rash was absent on the upper and middle back in almost all patients. After the rash disappeared, gemcitabine was re‐administrated in eight patients. They continued the therapy with no or only mild rash relapse. In conclusion, maculopapular rash caused by gemcitabine‐based chemotherapy shows biased distribution to frontal and lateral sites of the trunk, which may be informative for consecutive chemotherapy.
Coloration of spotless starling nestlings shows genetic and environmentally determined characteristics while begging for food
Authors: Martínez‐Renau Ester , Ruiz‐Castellano Cristina , Azcárate‐García Manuel , Barón María Dolores , Soler Juan José
Published: November 2020

Similar to other signals, coloration of traits expressed by nestlings while they are begging for food are assumed to reflect their phenotypic conditions, and, therefore, they should be environmentally determined. However, these colorations are also species specifics and, thus, a genetic component explaining the evolution of nestling coloration should exist; a possibility rarely explored in the literature.

Cross‐fostering experiments allowed us to quantify genetic and environmental components of coloration of mouth, flanges and skin in a spotless starlingSturnus unicolorpopulation. In addition, by supplementing some nestlings within each brood with non‐pigmented antioxidants (Vitamin E or Vitamin complex), we explored the effects of food supplementation on coloration of begging‐related traits and plasma carotenoid concentration.

We detected significant genetic components of colorations of skin and mouth, but not of flanges or plasma carotenoid concentration. Moreover, experimental supplementation with Vitamin E affected UV coloration of mouth, flanges and skin, while vitamin‐complex supplementation exclusively affected flange coloration. Furthermore, coloration of flanges, but not that of other traits, predicted plasma carotenoid concentration suggesting a direct link between these two traits.

All these results suggest that coloration of begging‐related traits is a multifaceted signal informing parents about genetic characteristics, and of short‐term needs of nestlings, including antioxidative capacity, that parents could use to adjust feeding efforts, and deciding which chick to feed.

Future research should focus on the parents' perspective, taking into account their feeding effort and feeding preferences in relation to genetically and/or environmentally determined coloration of begging‐related traits.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article
Preparatory immunity: Seasonality of mucosal skin defences and Batrachochytrium infections in Southern leopard frogs
Authors: Le Sage Emily H. , LaBumbard Brandon C. , Reinert Laura K. , Miller Brian T. , Richards‐Zawacki Corinne L. , Woodhams Doug C. , Rollins‐Smith Louise A.
Published: November 2020

Accurately predicting the impacts of climate change on wildlife health requires a deeper understanding of seasonal rhythms in host–pathogen interactions. The amphibian pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), exhibits seasonality in incidence; however, the role that biological rhythms in host defences play in defining this pattern remains largely unknown.

The aim of this study was to examine whether host immune and microbiome defences against Bd correspond with infection risk and seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Over the course of a year, five populations of Southern leopard frogs (Rana [Lithobates] sphenocephala) in Tennessee, United States, were surveyed for host immunity, microbiome and pathogen dynamics. Frogs were swabbed for pathogen load and skin bacterial diversity and stimulated to release stored antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Secretions were analysed to estimate total hydrophobic peptide concentrations, presence of known AMPs and effectiveness of Bd growth inhibition in vitro. The diversity and proportion of bacterial reads with a 99% match to sequences of isolates known to inhibit Bd growth in vitro were used as an estimate of predicted anti‐Bd function of the skin microbiome.

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis dynamics followed the expected seasonal fluctuations—peaks in cooler months—which coincided with when host mucosal defences were most potent against Bd. Specifically, the concentration and expression of stored AMPs cycled synchronously with Bd dynamics. Although microbiome changes followed more linear trends over time, the proportion of bacteria that can function to inhibit Bd growth was greatest when risk of Bd infection was highest.

We interpret the increase in peptide storage in the fall and the shift to a more anti‐Bd microbiome over winter as a preparatory response for subsequent infection risk during the colder periods when AMP synthesis and bacterial growth is slow and pathogen pressure from this cool‐adapted fungus is high. Given that a decrease in stored AMP concentrations as temperatures warm in spring likely means greater secretion rates, the subsequent decrease in prevalence suggests seasonality of Bd in this host may be in part regulated by annual immune rhythms, and dominated by the effects of temperature.
Conservation planning across realms: Enhancing connectivity for multi‐realm species
Authors: Hermoso Virgilio , Vasconcelos Rita P. , Henriques Sofia , Filipe Ana F. , Carvalho Silvia B.
Published: November 2020

Connectivity plays a key role in biodiversity conservation as it sustains ecological processes, such as migrations, important for the maintenance of populations. Connectivity is especially relevant for species that rely on different realms during their life cycle or use different realms daily or seasonally (multi‐realm species). However, efforts to address conservation across multiple realms have focused on identifying priority areas for conservation in a single realm (mostly marine) while accounting for threats propagating from other realms or single species needs.

Here, we demonstrate how to identify priority areas for conservation across three different realms (freshwater–terrestrial, estuary and marine) for multiple species, including some multi‐realm species, that inhabit or move across the three realms, using the Tagus River (Western Iberian Peninsula), its estuary and nearby marine area as a case study. We integrated multiple types of connectivity in the selection of priority areas for conservation, each of them customised to depict important drivers of movement within each realm and across realms: longitudinal connectivity along rivers or multidimensional connectivity in the estuary and marine realms, guided by currents and depth similarity, respectively. We compared the allocation of priority areas and spatial connectivity achieved under three scenarios: no‐connectivity, within‐realm and cross‐realm connectivity scenarios.

There were differences in the spatial allocation of priority areas across scenarios. The most remarkable difference laid on the connectivity achieved under each scenario, which experienced a threefold increase when considering connectivity across realms, compared to solutions that considered only connectivity within each realm independently. This improvement in connectivity was especially marked for species that occur across different realms. There were, however, trade‐offs between this improvement in connectivity and the increase in the number of planning units selected, especially in the estuary.

Synthesis and applications. Addressing connectivity across realms deserves special attention when planning for the conservation of multi‐realm species to ensure the adequacy of conservation recommendations to respond to the needs of multi‐realm species. Given the potential trade‐offs between enhanced cross‐realm connectivity and total area needed or internal within‐realm connectivity, consideration of cross‐realm connectivity must be cautiously evaluated and integrated in multi‐realm conservation plans.
Case series and review of emergency front‐of‐neck surgical airways from The Australian and New Zealand Emergency Department Airway Registry
Authors: Alkhouri Hatem , Richards Clare , Miers James , Fogg Toby , McCarthy Sally
Published: November 2020

Background

An emergency front‐of‐neck access (eFONA), also called can't intubate, can't oxygenate (CICO) rescue, is a rare event. Little is known about the performance of surgical or percutaneous airways in EDs across Australia and New Zealand.

Objective

To describe the management of cases resulting in an eFONA, and recorded in The Australian and New Zealand Emergency Department Airway Registry (ANZEDAR).

Methods

A retrospective case series and review of ED patients undergoing surgical or percutaneous airways. Data were collected prospectively over 60 months between 2010 and 2015 from 44 participating EDs.

Results

An eFONA/CICO rescue airway was performed on 15 adult patients: 14 cricothyroidotomies (0.3% of registry intubations) and one tracheostomy. The indication for intubation was 60% trauma and 40% medical aetiologies. The intubator specialty was emergency medicine in eight (53.3%) episodes. Thirteen (86.7%) cricothyroidotomies and the sole tracheostomy (6.7%) were performed at major referral hospitals with 12 (80%) surgical airways out of hours. In four (26.7%) cases, cricothyroidotomy was performed as the primary intubation method. Pre‐oxygenation techniques were used in 14 (93.3%) episodes; apnoeic oxygenation in four (26.7%).

Conclusions

Most cases demonstrated deviations from standard difficult airway practice, which may have increased the likelihood of performance of a surgical airway, and its increased likelihood out of hours. Our findings may inform training strategies to improve care for ED patients requiring this critical intervention. We recommend further discussion of proposed standard terminology for emergency surgical or percutaneous airways, to facilitate clear crisis communication.
Alternative splicing patterns of doublesex reveal a missing link between Nix and doublesex in the sex determination cascade of Aedes albopictus
Authors: Jin Binbin , Zhao Yijie , Dong Yunqiao , Liu Peiwen , Sun Yan , Li Xiaocong , Zhang Xin , Chen Xiao‐Guang , Gu Jinbao
Published: November 2020

Sexual development in insects is regulated by a complicated hierarchical cascade of sex determination. The primary signals are diverse, whereas the central nexus doublesex (dsx) gene is relatively conserved within the pathway. Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus is an important vector with an extensive worldwide distribution. We previously reported that Ae. albopictus dsx (Aalbdsx) yields one male‐ (AalbdsxM) and three female‐specific isoforms (AalbdsxF1‐3); however, the spatiotemporal expression profiles and mechanisms regulating sex‐specific alternative splicing require further investigation. In this study, we demonstrated that the AalbdsxM messenger RNA (mRNA) represents the default pattern when analyzed in human foreskin fibroblasts and HeLa cells. We combined reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction with RNA immunoprecipitation using specific antibodies against tagged Ae. albopictus male‐determining factor AalNix and confirmed that AalNix indirectly regulates dsx pre‐mRNA and regulates its alternative splicing. During the early embryo stage (0–2 and 4–8 h), maternal dsxF and default splicing dsxM were detected in both sexes; the expression of dsxM then decreased until sufficient AalNix transcripts accumulated in male embryos at 20–24 h. These findings suggest that one or more potential dsx splicing enhancers can shift dsxM to dsxF in both sexes; however, the presence of Nix influences the function of this unknown splicing enhancer and ultimately leads to the formation of dsxM in males. Finally, our results provide important insight into the regulatory mechanism of dsx alternative splicing in the mosquito.
Bone single‐photon emission computed tomography‐CT peak standardized uptake value for chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Minami Yoshiyuki , Ogura Ichiro
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Recently, standardized uptake value (SUV) has been applied for the evaluation of SPECT‐CT. This study was performed to investigate the bone SPECT‐CT peak SUV for chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

Methods

Sixty‐five patients with jaw lesions (12 chronic osteomyelitis, 12 osteoradionecrosis and 41 MRONJ) underwent SPECT‐CT after injection of technetium‐99m hydroxymethylene diphosphonate. The peak SUV was compared for the chronic osteomyelitis with osteoradionecrosis and MRONJ using GI‐BONE software. Statistical analyses for the peak SUV were performed by one‐way repeated measures analysis of variance with Tukey's HSD test. A P‐value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

Peak SUV for chronic osteomyelitis (15.6 ± 4.4) was significantly higher than those for osteoradionecrosis (6.7 ± 2.1, P = 0.000) and MRONJ (10.7 ± 6.1, P = 0.019).

Conclusion

The SPECT‐CT peak SUV using GI‐BONE software can be useful for the evaluation of jaw lesions, such as chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis and MRONJ.
Iron Isotope Compositions of Podiform Chromitites from Dazhuqu and Luobusha Ophiolites, Southern Tibet
Authors: HE Yuan , ZHU Xiangkun , SHE Yuwei
Published: November 2020

Podiform chromitites crop out in ophiolitic harzburgites as pod‐like bodies associated with dunite envelopes with various thickness. It is widely accepted that the change of melt compositions caused by melt‐rock reaction, especially an increase in silica content, plays a crucial role in the generation of podiform chromitite (e.g., Arai and Yurimoto, 1994; Zhou et al., 1994). Due to the presence of ultrahigh pressure and highly reduced minerals, the genesis of some podiform chromitites was attributed to some deep processes (e.g., Arai, 2013; Yang et al., 2007). Although much progress has been achieved, the formation mechanism of podiform chromitites are still in dispute. Iron isotope may be a potential tool to give further insight to the issue, given that some high temperature processes, such as partial melting, metasomatism, magma differentiation and redox change, can result in measurable iron isotopic fractionation to different extent (e.g. Chen et al., 2014; Weyer and Ionov, 2007; Zhao et al., 2009). This study investigates the Fe isotope compositions of chromitites and chromite dunites from Dazhuqu and Luobusha ophiolites. For Dazhuqu chromite dunites, δ56Fe (relative to the standard, IRMM‐014) values range from −0.02‰ to 0.11‰ in olivines and from 0.03‰ to 0.08‰ in chromites. Chromites in Dazhuqu chromitites show δ56Fe values varying from −0.03‰ to 0.02‰. In nodular and densely disseminated chromitites from Luobusha, olivines have δ56Fe values of olivines and chromites are 0.09–0.35‰ and −0.15–0.08 ‰, respectively. Chromites from Luobusha massive chromitites have δ56Fe values of 0.07–0.12 ‰.

Based on theorical calculations, chromites should be heavier than olivines in Fe isotope compositions Δ56FeOl‐Chr ≈–0.08‰ at 1300 °C according to the ionic model (e.g., Macris et al., 2015; Sossi and O'Neill, 2017). However, most of our samples, except for two samples, have Δ56FeOl‐Chr values that are greater than zero, indicating a disequilibrium inter‐mineral Fe isotopic fractionation. There is a positive correlation between Fo and δ56Fe (or Δ56FeOl‐Chr) of olivines but no positive correlation between Mg# and δ56Fe (or Δ56FeOl‐Chr) of chromites. This phenomenon suggests that the Fe isotopic dis‐equilibration may be caused by migrating melts in dunitic channels rather than by the sub‐solidus Fe‐Mg exchange (Xiao et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2019). Additionally, the wide δ56Fe range of chromites is similar to those of the subduction‐related basalts and boninites, inferring that their parental magmas form in the suprasubduction zone.
Reconsideration of Neo‐Tethys Evolution Constrained from the Nature of the Dazhuqu Ophiolitic Mantle, Southern Tibet
Authors: LIU Tong , WU Fuyuan , LIU Chuanzhou , ZHANG Chang , JI Wenbin , XU Yang
Published: November 2020

The nature (i.e., sub‐oceanic, sub‐arc or sub‐continental) of ophiolitic mantle peridotites from the eastern Neo‐Tethyan domain in southern Tibet has been hotly debated. This uncertainty limits our understanding of the history and evolution of the eastern Neo‐Tethys Ocean. Here we present petrological, geochemical and Re‐Os isotopic data for the mantle peridotites from the Dazhuqu ophiolite in the central segment of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone, southern Tibet. Samples collected include both spinel lherzolites and spinel harzburgites. The lherzolites have spinel Cr# [Cr/ (Cr + Al), ∼ 0.3–0.4] comparable to those of typical abyssal peridotites. In contrast, the harzburgites have spinel Cr# (∼0.3–0.7) overlapping with the ranges of both abyssal and fore‐arc peridotites (Day et al., 2017; Parkinson and Pearce, 1998); two samples have spinel Cr# higher than 0.6, which is probably ascribed to intense melt‐rock interactions. Clinopyroxene trace element modeling indicates that the Dazhuqu mantle peridotites have experienced 0–6% garnet‐facies melting followed by 10%–18% melting in the spinel stability field. This is similar to the degree of garnet‐facies melting inferred for many abyssal peridotites (Hellebrand et al., 2002) and implies deep initial melting (> 85 km), which distinguishes the Dazhuqu mantle peridotites from fore‐arc peridotites (commonly <80 km in origin). The Dazhuqu peridotites have unradiogenic 187Os/188Os of 0.11836–0.12922, which are commonly lower than the recommended value of primitive upper mantle (PUM) (Meisel et al., 2001). All but one samples yield relatively younger Re depletion ages (TRD = 0.06–0.81 Ga) with respect to the only one sample having an older TRD age of 1.66 Ga. Re‐Os isotopes and highly siderophile element (HSE) compositions of the Dazhuqu peridotites are similar to those of abyssal peridotites (Day et al., 2017) and the Oman southern massifs (Hangh⊘j et al., 2010) but are distinct from non‐cratonic sub‐continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) xenoliths and sub‐arc mantle. We emphasize the similarity between the Dazhuqu and Oman ophiolites, both representing Neo‐Tethyan oceanic lithosphere and implying ridge–trench collision.
Evaluating the Precise 39Ar/40Ar Dating of Multiple Mineral Potassic Phases in Ultra‐alkaline Rocks: Applications to Mantle Systematics
Authors: WILDE Simon A. , JOURDAN Fred , FREWER Lynda , KUSIAK Monika A.
Published: November 2020

A suite of potassium‐bearing minerals from the Walgidee Hills lamproite intrusion in the Kimberley region of Western Australia was selected for 39Ar/40Ar dating. These included wadeite, jeppeite, priderite, potassium richterite, and phlogopite. All recorded excellent plateau ages, with the mean age of the combined data set being 17.3±0.3 Ma. Phlogopite recorded the largest uncertainty, whereas, of the other minerals, wadeite gave the best precision. Although rare to absent in common magmatic rocks, these minerals are widely distributed in alkaline complexes and in lamproite, kimberlite and orangeite intrusions. The results indicate this suite of minerals is excellent for 39Ar/40Ar dating and that they can be used singly or in combination to obtain the precise magmatic crystallization ages of ultra‐alkaline rocks. Because of the stability of potassium richterite at mantle depths, 39Ar/40Ar dating of MARID (mica‐amphibole‐rutile‐ilmenite‐diopside) xenoliths should be a more widely‐applied technique to investigating mantle geodynamics.
Sulfide Aggregation in Ophiolitic Dunite Channels Explains Os‐Isotope Mismatch between Oceanic Crust and Mantle
Authors: XIONG Qing , XU Yong , GONZÁLEZ‐JINÉNEZ José M. , LIU Jingao , ALARD Olivier , ZHENG Jian‐Ping , GRIFFIN William L. , O'REILLY Suzanne Y.
Published: November 2020

The osmium‐isotope mismatch commonly reported between mid‐ocean‐ridge basalts (MORBs) and residual mantle might reflect evolution of the MORB Re‐Os system after extraction from the asthenosphere, or preferential contribution of radiogenic Os components from mantle. However, in a MOR system, the role of dunite melt channels from the upper mantle and Moho transition zone in regulating isotopic systems between mantle and crust has rarely been evaluated. We report new Re‐Os isotopic compositions of base‐metal sulfides (BMS), chromites and dunites from dunite lenses with low spinel Cr# [Cr3+/ (Cr3++Al3+) ≤ 0.66] (products of interaction between MORB‐like melts and upper‐mantle harzburgites) from the Zedang ophiolite (South Tibet). Re‐Os isotopic compositions of low‐Cr# dunites from the Oman ophiolite are also shown for comparison. Mineralogical evidence suggests that the Zedang sulfides were originally precipitated as monosulfide solid solutions. The highly variable 187Os/188Os initial ratios (0.1191‐0.1702) and low 187Re/188Os (<0.22) of the sulfides suggest that the chromite acted as a sink for Os‐bearing sulfides, aggregating discrete Os components with heterogeneous isotopic signatures from asthenospheric or lithospheric mantle into dunite channels. The Zedang chromites and dunites show 187Os/188Os ratios similar to the primitive upper mantle (PUM), except for two dunites with sub‐PUM ratios, reflecting the contribution of Os balanced by smaller volumes of Os‐rich, unradiogenic sulfides (likely nucleating on Os nanoparticles) and larger volumes of Os‐poor radiogenic BMS. Such isotopic heterogeneity, despite with less variation, has been observed in dunite channels from the Oman ophiolite and present‐day mid‐ocean ridges. Formation of dunite channels in the upper mantle thus can aggregate Os‐bearing sulfides with chromite, leaving high Re/Os components into the residual melts. Once such channel systems were built up at the crust‐mantle transition zone, the newly incoming MOR magmas would preferentially melt and dissolve the volumetrically abundant radiogenic BMS and retain Os‐rich nanoparticles in the channels, further amplifying the Os‐isotope mismatch between oceanic crust and mantle. This study sheds new light on the multistage evolution and small‐scale behaviors of chalcophile and siderophile elements (e.g., Re‐Os) and their isotopes (e.g., 187Re‐187Os) with sulfides and chromites in a silicate‐dominated melt plumbing system beneath mid‐ocean ridges.
Mantle Partial Melting and Melt‐peridotite Interaction: A Case Study of Peridotite Xenoliths in Cenozoic Basalt of Nanjing, SE China
Authors: XU Haijin , SONG Yanru , XIONG Zhiwu
Published: November 2020

The peridotite xenoliths are widely distributed in the Cenozoic basalts, Eastern China. However, their petrogenesis is hotly controversial. The peridotite xenoliths of Nanjing are found embedded in Cenozoic alkali basalt. Most of the xenoliths are rounded and small to moderate in size (typically 5∼10 cm in diameter), though larger ones have been found. Nearly all small xenoliths are harzburgite and dunite. However, the big ones have zoned structure: lherzolite core and harzburgite or dunite rim with new growth clinopyroxene (Cpx) as eyeliner along their margins. Petrology, mineralogy, and Major and trace element compositions of the Nanjing peridotite xenoliths in the Cenozoic basalts are measured to provide an insight into the nature of their mantle sources and processes. Our works suggest that they were suffered from a partial melting process and subsequently underwent a process of melt‐peridotite interaction. The evidences of partial melting are as follows. Firstly, the lherzolite core is mostly composed of olivine (Ol) + orthopyroxene (Opx) + Cpx with minor spinel (Spl), however, the harzburgite or dunite rim is mostly complosed of Ol + Opx with minor Cpx. Secondly, from the lherzolite core to the harzburgite or dunite rim, Ol and Opx contents are gradually increased, inversely, Cpx contents are decreased, and the Spl disappears. Thirdly, Mg# values of Ol are increased from the core (∼89.5) to the rim (>92) of the peridotite xenolith, but FeO contents (from 11.0 to 8.1) in Ol are opposite. Forthly, Mg# (from 90 to 93) and Cr# (from 4 to 17) values of the Opx are increased, but its Al2O3 contents (from 5.0 to 2.0) are decreased from the core to the rim. The evidences of melt‐peridotite interaction are mostly from clinopyroxenes. The clinopyroxenes can roughly divided into two groups: original clinopyroxenes of the peridotite and new growth clinopyroxenes generated by melt‐peridotite interaction. The original clinopyroxenes are generally in the inner of peridotite xenoliths such as lherzolite. They are mostly coarse‐grained, euhedral and bottle‐green. However, the new growth clinopyroxenes generally occur as eyeliner along the margin of the peridotite xenoliths. They are generally fine‐grained, irregular and light green. Compared with the original clinopyroxenes, the new growth ones have low Na2O and Al2O3 and high CaO contents. The Nanjing peridotite xenoliths in the Cenozoic alkali basalts suggest that the SCLM beneath eastern China might be a fertile mantle which has had a complex history, and is now a mixture of refractory and fertile mantle domains modified by a number of events.
Arc‐trench System of the Paleo‐Tethys Ocean: Inferred from Ophiolite in the Southern Lancangjiang Belt, SW China
Authors: ZHAI Qingguo , TANG Yue , HU Peiyuan , JIN Xiaochi , WANG Jun , WANG Haitao
Published: November 2020

The Paleo‐Tethys Ocean is usually interpreted as a Paleozoic ocean basin located between the Gondwana and Laurasia supercontinents. The Paleo‐Tethyan orogenic record is well preserved in the Sanjiang area of SW China. However, ophiolites are commonly dismembered in orogenic belt, and complete ophiolite sequences are rare in the Sanjiang area. The southern Lancangjiang belt is the most complicated tectonic complex of the Sanjiang Paleo‐Tethyan orogen, SW China, and is key to understanding the evolution of the orogen. In this study, we focused on mafic–ultramafic rocks in the Yakou and Banpo areas of the southern Lancangjiang belt, of which newly discovered Yakou rocks show a complete ophiolite sequence. These rocks are composed of serpentinized peridotite, isotropic and cumulate gabbros, massive and pillow basalts, and plagiogranite. Whole‐rock geochemical data indicate that these rocks were formed in an oceanic ridge setting, and they show depletions in Nb, Ta and Ti, and enrichment in Pb, suggesting a supra‐subduction zone affinity of a back‐arc setting. Furthermore, positive ƐNd(t) (+4.5 to +6.7) and zircon ƐHf(t) values (+12.4 to +14.3), as well as mantle‐like δ18O values (∼5.5‰), suggest that these rocks were derived from a long‐term depleted mantle source. All of these features suggest that the Yakou mafic‐ultramafic complex represents an ophiolite suite, making it the first complete ophiolite sequence to be discovered in the southern Lancangjiang orogenic belt. The Banpo complex gabbroic rocks have similar whole‐rock geochemical and Sr‐Nd isotopic, and zircon O‐Hf isotopic compositions to those of the Yakou complex, suggesting an N‐MORB affinity. Thus, mafic‐ultramafic rocks from the Banpo and Jinghong areas are most likely dismembered ophiolite suites. Considering these various characteristics, we consider that the Yakou, Banpo, and Jinghong mafic‐ultramafic complexes represent an ophiolite belt but not a magmatic arc belt. SHRIMP zircon U‐Pb dating yield weighted mean ages of 305±3 Ma, 310±2 Ma, and 313±6 Ma. Therefore, we suggest that the Banpo‐Jinghong mafic‐ultramafic complex represents a Late Carboniferous (313–305 Ma) ophiolite belt in the Sanjiang Paleo‐Tethyan orogen of SW China. Finally, we propose that an arc‐trench system could have developed in the Sanjiang Paleo‐Tethyan orogenic belt of SW China during the Late Carboniferous.