bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of mulberry cultivars (Morusspp.)in response to different stem cuttings and fertilizers
Authors: Soares Anelisa  de  Aquino  Vidal  Lacerda , Furlaneto Fernanda  de  Paiva  Badiz , Funai Cláudio  Hajime , Gazola Eduardo
Published: August 2021

The objective is to analyze techniques to form mulberry seedlings with different cutting sizes and forms of fertilization with N-P-K aiming a low production cost and an easy application in field. The experiment was carried out in a screened nursery, with a shading of 34%. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks (RB) and compared in a 2x4x3 factorial design with five replications and 12 plants per plot. The factorial design consisted of two cutting lengths (10 and 20 cm) distributed in plastic tubes of 70 and 120 mL, four mulberry cultivars (IZ40, IZ10/1, Korin, and IZ3/2), and two types of fertilization: addition of 84 g of Osmocote® for each kilo of substrate, fertigation with aqueous solution containing 84 g of 14-14-14 N-P-K for each kilo of substrate, plus a control treatment (without fertilization). The commercial substrate Basaplant citrus® was used. 90 and 140 days after planting, assessments of percentage of rooting were carried out. At 140 days, shoot length (cm), number of shoots, number of leaves, root length (cm), and shoot and root green and dry matter were evaluated. The data obtained were evaluated using the Sanest software and Tukey test (P<0.05). Cuttings of 20 cm in length in tubes of 120 mL are recommended for the best formation of mulberry seedlings with the application of N-P-K fertilizer through fertigation. The cultivars showed different rooting potentials and shoot development. The best results are for Korin and IZ 10/1.
Physicochemical characterization of bunches and oil composition in a backcross progeny (caiaué x oil palm) x oil palm
Authors: Lopes Ricardo , Antoniassi Rosemar , Cunha Raimundo Nonato Vieira , Wilhelm Allan Eduardo , Faria-Machado Adelia Ferreira
Published: August 2021

Hybrids between caiaué and oil palm (IEH OxG) are explored in genetic improvement with the main objective of associating the high palm oil productivity of oil palm with resistance of caiaué to Bud Rot disease. In addition, caiaué has better oil quality and greater resistance to some pests and diseases than oil palm and these characteristics are transmitted to the hybrid between species. Due to fertility problems, IEH OxG plantations require assisted pollination, which raises the production costs. Backcrossings using oil palm as recurrent parent (BC OGxG) are being evaluated as a solution to restore the fertility of IEH OxG, however, the species contrast to physicochemical characteristics of the bunch and to oil composition, therefore, there is a need to observe how these characteristics vary in BC OGxG. Physicochemical characteristics of the bunch and fatty acid composition of the oil produced by 90 plants from an BC OGxG progeny were analysed. A large variation was observed in the progeny, with mean values of 9.0 kg for bunch weight, 46.0% of parthenocarpic fruits in the bunch weight, 72.2% of mesocarp in normal fruit and 86.5% in parthenocarpic fruit, 37.6% of oil in the humid mesocarp of normal fruits and 35.9% in parthenocarpic fruits and 16.4% of oil content in the freshfruits bunch (FFB). The unsaturated fatty acids oleic (52.5%) and linoleic (10.8%) and the saturated fatty acids palmitic (30.7%) and stearic (4.4 %) stood out in the oil composition. In the progeny BC OGxG is possible to select individuals for high OCB and for a greater or lesser percentage of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids in the oil composition.
The importance of physiological quality of seeds for agriculture
Authors: Costa Caroline Jacome , Meneghello Geri Eduardo , Jorge Marçal Henrique Amici , Costa Edilson
Published: August 2021

Seeds present a fundamental role since the beginnings of agriculture, propelling the agricultural development of different people in different ages of human history. Its importance has been linked to the possibility of domesticating the most diverse plants in the past and, nowadays, of providing many biotechnological advancements represented by the most diverse cultivars and hybrids introduced into the market. However, the expression of all its capacities depends on the quality of this supply represented by the sum of physical, genetic, sanitary, and physiological attributes. This review shows how the physiological component of the quality of seeds has influenced the agricultural process for the most diverse crops, notedly, for major crops, forages, or vegetables. It is highlighted its central role in fulfilling the growing demands of a growing world population. We emphasize the preoccupation of research, development, and innovation actions in the sense of recognizing the factors that influence the physiological quality of seeds, developing and enhancing methods to estimate, preserve, and increase it, and how the adoption of high physiological quality seeds has influenced the development of the major crops.
MANAGING HUMIDITY AND DRINKING WATER IN ACRYLIC CAGES FOR REARING PARASITOIDS
Authors: Aquino Italo de Souza
Published: August 2021

The moisture level and drinking water inside acrylic boxes used to breed parasitoids can be managed by placing a Petri dish with water on top of the box and humidifying the inside with a vaporizer. Through condensation, a suspended dew pool forms inside the box just below the Petri dish, providing the parasitoids with drinking water.
Das Mobilitätspaket der EU – Protektionismus oder Missbrauchsbekämpfung?
Authors: Kainer Friedemann , Persch Johannes
Published: August 2021

Der Beitrag analysiert einige der mit dem Mobilitätspaket eingeführten Neuregelungen für den unionalen Straßengüterverkehr. Diese sind als Rückschritt gegenüber dem bisherigen Liberalisierungsstand trotz der grundsätzlichen Bereichsausnahme des Art. 58 Abs. 1 AEUV an der Dienstleistungsfreiheit zu messen. Die durch das Mobilitätspaket eingeführte Pflicht, die im internationalen Güterverkehr eingesetzten Fahrzeuge alle acht Wochen in den Niederlassungsmitgliedstaat zurückzuholen sowie die weiteren Einschränkungen der Kabotage (Einführung einer „cool off“-Periode, Zulassung von Beschränkungen der Kabotage im kombinierten Verkehr) verstoßen gegen die Dienstleistungsfreiheit und greifen in die unionalen Grundrechte unverhältnismäßig ein. Sie sollten deshalb vom EuGH für nichtig erklärt werden.
Der Begriff des „Unternehmens“ im europäischen Datenschutzrecht – Vorbild europäisches Kartellrecht?
Authors: Zelger Bernadette
Published: August 2021

Nachstehender Beitrag beleuchtet den Begriff des Unternehmens im Kontext der EU-Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. Die Anwendbarkeit des funktionalen Unternehmensbegriffes, wie aus dem europäischen Kartellrecht bekannt, ist umstritten. Auch die diesbezügliche Rechtsprechung nationaler Gerichte ist uneinheitlich und eine Klärung durch den EuGH bislang - mangels entsprechender Vorlagefrage - nicht erfolgt. Vor diesem Hintergrund argumentiert gegenständlicher Aufsatz für die Anwendung eines einheitlichen Unternehmensbegriffes und zwar für die Anwendbarkeit des funktionalen Unternehmensbegriffes nach dem Vorbild des europäischen Kartellrechts, auch im Kontext der EU-Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. Dies erscheint vor dem Hintergrund der Notwendigkeit einer einheitlichen Auslegung der Bestimmungen der DSGVO geboten. Außerdem wird aufgezeigt, wie die bestehenden Diskrepanzen innerhalb der DSGVO mit dem funktionalen Unternehmensbegriff in Einklang gebracht werden können.
Aufgaben und Wahl des Ersten Generalanwalts am Gerichtshof der Europäischen Union
Authors: Brügmann Jonas
Published: August 2021

Die Wahl des Ersten Generalanwalts am Europäischen Gerichtshof wurde mit Wirkung vom 1. Januar 2020 reformiert. Bei der Änderung handelt es sich nicht um einen bloß formellen Systemwechsel, sondern sie bildet, wenn auch nicht ausdrücklich, eine schon seit Jahren erkennbare Entwicklung im internen Gefüge des Gerichtshofes ab, welche unmittelbar mit den Aufgaben und Kompetenzen des Ersten Generalanwalts zusammenhängen und daher zum Verständnis der Reform nachzuvollziehen sind.
Influencer Marketing
Authors: Maatz Felix
Published: August 2021

Influencers are omnipresent in various appearances in today's media landscape. Nevertheless, there is a lack of uniform handling of media and unfair competition law standards. In fact, divergences in decisions by regional and higher regional courts have led to uncertainties in answering the question of whether and how publications by influencers must comply with any advertising labelling obligations. The author takes this as an opportunity to clarify the key problem areas and, at the same time, to determine whether the existing legal regulatory framework is sufficient and capable of producing appropriate and interest-oriented results for a modern form of advertising such as influencer marketing.
Development and characterization of poly(oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenylene) for proton exchange membranes
Authors: Pacheco-Lancheros Andrés , Lombana-Puerta Aura , Realpe-Jiménez Álvaro , Mendoza-Beltrán Dina , Acevedo-Morantes María
Published: August 2021

Proton Exchange Membranes (PEMs) were synthesized from Poly (oxy-1,4-phenylenesulfonyl-1,4-phenylene) (PES), sulfonated for 1 and 2h, and modified with 0, 5, and 10 wt% nanoclays. The membranes were characterized by evaluating their physicochemical properties, such as ion exchange capacity, oxidative stability, porosity and water uptake. PEMs were modified with the sulfonation time and nanoclays addition to favor the mechanical properties and proton conductivity, which were evaluated. The sulfonation time and the concentration of nanoclays directly favored properties such as contact angle, water absorption, porosity, and mechanical properties. However, a higher concentration of nanoclays (e.g., 10 wt%) damaged the mechanical properties of PES membranes specifically. The membrane with 5 wt% of nanoclay and a sulfonation time of 2h achieved the best performance.
Compromisso e autonomia: uma guerra fria entre a Revolução Cubana e Ángel Rama
Authors: Demenech Pedro
Published: August 2021

Este artigo trata da relação entre Ángel Rama (1926-1983) e o governo cubano no contexto da nova política cultural, adotada a partir de 1971. A influência da Guerra Fria e a relação entre intelectuais e Estado na América Latina norteiam o desenvolvimento deste tema, pois, em Cuba, diferente de outros países da América Latina, o Estado assumiu o monopólio das formas culturais ao endurecer e reorganizar as regras de criação cultural. Crítico desse modelo, Rama, que inicialmente apoiara a revolução, escreveu um longo artigo no qual procurou enumerar os erros e as possíveis saídas desse modelo, ao apontar que a liberdade de expressão e a crítica deveriam ter como compromisso propor mudanças e não reiterar programas políticos.
Palavras-chave: Ángel Rama; história intelectual; revolução Cubana; Guerra Fria.
Memorias y lugares de desaparición: las declaraciones públicas de los perpetradores de la ESMA en Argentina
Authors: Feld Claudia Viviana , Salvi Valentina Isolda
Published: August 2021

La Escuela de Mecánica de la Armada (ESMA), uno de los centros clandestinos de detención más activos de la última dictadura militar (1976-1983), se ha constituido, mediante un complejo proceso memorial, en un emblema de la represión más atroz. Este proceso memorial involucró una serie “capas” de sentido, que fueron desarrollándose en función de acciones, narrativas y debates sostenidos por diversos actores. El presente artículo se centra en un aspecto específico y poco estudiado, aunque no menor, de dicho proceso: las narrativas y acciones producidas por perpetradores de la ESMA. Nuestro trabajo analiza las declaraciones públicas del cabo Raúl Vilariño, a inicios de la transición (1984), y las del capitán Adolfo Scilingo, en un período de impunidad (1995). Se observa de qué manera, en esos dos momentos, la palabra pública de estos represores incidió en la visibilización del sitio, en la calificación del crimen y de la “escena del crimen”, y en la conformación de una verdad social. Este análisis permite comprender dos procesos centrales del trabajo memorial: por un lado, la disputa por la legitimación de un punto de vista; por otro, el “proceso de emblematización” del lugar. Se trata, en definitiva, de una lenta construcción a partir de la cual la ESMA se fue interpretando no sólo como una particular “escena del crimen” de la desaparición de personas, sino también como una figura metonómica y emblemática que designa el conjunto de los centros clandestinos donde se perpetró el horror.
Palabras clave: Perpetradores; dictadura; sitios de memoria; declaraciones.
The Gender Role Attitude Scale (GRAS) as an alternative for the crisis in measurement of attitudes towards gender roles in Latin America: A study in Chilean university students
Authors: Pérez Sánchez Beatriz , Concha-Salgado Andrés , Fernández-Suárez Asunción , Juarros-Basterretxea Joel , Rodríguez-Díaz Francisco Javier
Published: August 2021

Hemos experimentado cambios socioculturales que han favorecido el desarrollo de actitudes de roles de género (GRA) más igualitarias. Sin embargo, actualmente la revolución en los roles de género está incompleta y la falta de equidad en las estructuras sociales limita las experiencias individuales en igualdad. Ante esta realidad, la comunidad científica exige un sistema modernizado para medir GRA. Presentamos adaptación, evidencia de validez factorial y convergente, precisión, efecto techo y piso, normas de interpretación por sexo, y análisis del GRA más fácil y difícil de modificar, para la Escala de Actitudes de Rol de Género (EARG) en muestra de 1013 universitarios chilenos. La EARG tiene una estructura bifactorial que evalúa actitudes estereotipadas y trascendentes en contextos familiares, sociales y laborales. Presenta validez convergente con una medida de doble estándar sexual y es más confiable en puntajes bajos de trascendencia y puntajes altos de actitudes estereotipadas. El factor trascendente tuvo un efecto techo, y las actitudes estereotipadas un efecto suelo. Los roles familiares de género son los más fáciles de cambiar, y los relacionados con el trabajo los más difíciles. Se discute la necesidad de un cambio estructural para reactivar la revolución de los roles de género en Chile.

We have experienced sociocultural changes, which have favoured the development of egalitarian gender role attitudes (GRA). Nevertheless, the revolution in gender roles is incomplete, and the lack of equity in social structures limits the individual experiences in equality. In the face of this reality, the scientific community is demanding a modernised system for measuring GRA. We present adaptation, evidence of factorial and convergent validity, accuracy, ceiling and floor effect, norms of interpretation by sex, and analyses of the GRA easiest or most difficult to modify, for the Gender Role Attitudes Scale (GRAS) in a sample of 1013 Chilean university students. The GRAS has a two-factor structure that allows the evaluation of stereotyped and transcendent attitudes of gender roles in family, social, and work contexts. The scale presents convergent validity with a sexual double standard measure and is more reliable in the low scores of transcendence and the high scores of stereotyped attitudes. Transcendent factor had a ceiling effect, and stereotyped attitudes had a floor effect. Family gender roles are the easiest to change, and work-related roles the most difficult. The authors discuss the need for a structural change to reactivate the revolution of gender roles in Chile.
From randomized control trial to mixed methods: A practical framework for program evaluation based on methodological quality
Authors: Chacón-Moscoso Salvador , Sanduvete-Chaves Susana , Lozano-Lozano José A. , Portell Mariona , Anguera M. Teresa
Published: August 2021

La evidencia utilizada al tomar decisiones sobre el diseño, implementación y evaluación en los programas de intervención debe ser metodológicamente sólida. Dependiendo del contexto de la intervención, se pueden aplicar diferentes metodologías. Sin embargo, el contexto de la intervención es a menudo inestable y, para adaptarse a las circunstancias cambiantes, se hace necesario modificar el plan original. El marco propuesto en este documento se basa en enfoques que pueden considerarse dos extremos de un continuo (diseños experimentales / cuasiexperimentales y estudios basados en metodología observacional). En condiciones de contexto de intervención inestable, esto permite tomar decisiones desde un enfoque de calidad metodológica en cuanto a diseño, medición y análisis. Las dimensiones estructurales, i.e., las unidades (participantes, usuarios), el tratamiento (actividades del programa), los resultados (incluidas las decisiones sobre los instrumentos a utilizar y la recopilación de datos), el entorno (contexto de implementación) y el tiempo se detallarán como parte del marco práctico. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo especificar el grado de correspondencia / complementariedad entre componentes en estas dimensiones estructurales de la evaluación de un programa desde una perspectiva de complementariedad práctica basada en la calidad metodológica.

The evidence used when making decisions about the design, implementation and evaluation in intervention programs should be methodologically sound. Depending on the context of the intervention, different methodologies may apply. Nonetheless, the intervention context is often unstable and, to adapt to changing circumstances, it sometimes becomes necessary to modify the original plan. The framework proposed herein draws on approaches that can be considered two extremes of a continuum (experimental/quasi-experimental designs and studies based on observational methodology). In unstable intervention context conditions, this enables decisions from a methodological quality approach regarding design, measurement, and analysis. Structural dimensions, i.e., units (participants, users), treatment (program activities), outcomes (results, including decisions about the instruments to use and data gathering), setting (implementation context) and time will be detailed as part of the practical framework. The present study aims to specify the degree of correspondence/complementarity between components in these structural dimensions of a program evaluation from a practical complementarity perspective based on methodological quality.
Capturing love at a distance
Authors: Gan Yumei
Published: August 2021

Studies have shown that multisensorial interactions are an important medium for achieving love and intimacy. Nevertheless, the question remains: How do people constitute their “love at a distance” when they can only interact with each other over a video call, in which certain sensorial resources (e.g., touch, smell, and taste) are not available? Drawing from two years of video-based fieldwork involving recordings of habitual calls among the members of migrant families, I consider the application of Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis (EMCA)-informed video analysis to investigating intimate relationships constructed through remote means. I present an innovative method of video recording that allows me to analyze the interactional resources toward which participants orient themselves in their calls. I illustrate this approach with data analysis to demonstrate the relevance of video to examining intimacy at a distance. This article proposes that a distinct contribution of video-based research to the discipline lies in its ability to capture how people use their embodied and sensorial interactions to form intimacy across distances.
Making sounds visible in speech-language therapy for aphasia
Authors: Merlino Sara
Published: August 2021

In this paper, I analyse video recordings of speech-language therapy sessions for people diagnosed with aphasia. I particularly explore the way in which the speech-language therapists instruct the patients to correctly pronounce speech sounds (e.g. phonemes, syllables) by deploying not only audible but also visible forms of cues. By using their bodies – face and gestures – as an instructional tool, the therapists make visual perceptual access to articulatory features of pronunciation relevant and salient. They can also make these sensory practices accountable through the use of other senses, such as touch. Data was collected in a hospital and in a rehabilitation clinic, tracking each patient’s recovery, and is part of a longitudinal multisite corpus. The paper considers the way in which participants in the therapeutic process use and coordinate forms of sensory access to language that are based on hearing and seeing. It highlights the importance of audio and video recordings to make accessible the auditory and visual details of these sensorial experiences – particularly, proper framings and the complementary use of fixed and mobile cameras.
Hand-ling ‘road rage’
Authors: Lloyd Mike , Mlynář Jakub
Published: August 2021

Although mobility and movement has recently gained importance within interactionist studies of social action, not much is known about the consequentiality of being on the move for the particular unfolding of interactional episodes. Utilising two publicly accessible video clips of ‘road rage’ situations, we describe and analyse the centrality of hand-work in the escalation and decline of an emotionally charged interaction between members of traffic. Avoiding an a priori cognitivist stance, we show in detail how the work of hands can be constitutive of anger itself, and that it can lead to open conflict on the boundary of physical violence.
European Association of Urology COVID intermediate prioritisation group is poorly predictive of pathological high- risk among patients with renal tumours
Authors: Satish Pranav , Kuusk Teele , Campain Nick , Abu-Ghanem Yasmin , Neves Joana , Barod Ravi , El-Sheikh Soha , Mumtaz Faiz , Patki Prasad , Tran Maxine , Tran-Dang My-Anh , Grant Lee , Klatte Tobias , Bex Axel
Published: August 2021

Introduction The purpose of prioritisation is to minimise harm while safeguarding access to health care in times of reduced resources. The EAU Guideline Office Rapid Reaction Group (GORRG) issued priority recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated if the clinical prioritisation for suspected renal cell carcinoma (RCC) planned for surgery matched final pathological risk. Methods From 23 March 2020 until 10 October 2020, patients with suspected RCC were prioritised according to GORGG recommendations. To increase statistical power, GORGG prioritisation was also retrospectively assigned to pre-lockdown RCC surgical cases. The priority group was assessed according to GORGG guidelines, and postoperative risk was assessed according to 2003 Leibovich scores. We evaluated concordance between GORGG prioritisation and post-operative risk, and if stratification could be further improved by subgrouping of size. Results 351 patients with suspected RCC were prioritised and underwent surgery. The intermediate priority group showed poor concordance, with 25.7% and 16.4% being pathological low and high risk, respectively. The low priority group harboured 14.9% intermediate and 1.06% high risk RCC. Within the EAU intermediate group, 34.2% of cT1b tumours were low risk, and 32.3% of cT2a tumours high risk. Analysing at 1 cm increments, 45.1% of 4-5cm tumours were low risk. Conclusions The recommended prioritisation system can be error prone and should be prudently applied based on the centre’s needs. Particularly amongst the intermediate group, centres with clinical capacity should not defer intervention of cT2a tumours for longer than absolutely necessary and in severely limited resources may consider intermediate priority tumours < 5cm as low priority.
Widespread variation in heat tolerance and symbiont load are associated with growth tradeoffs in the coral Acropora hyacinthus in Palau
Authors: Cornwell Brendan , Armstrong Katrina , Walker Nia S , Lippert Marilla , Nestor Victor , Golbuu Yimnang , Palumbi Stephen R
Published: August 2021

Climate change is dramatically changing ecosystem composition and productivity, leading scientists to consider the best approaches to map natural resistance and foster ecosystem resilience in the face of these changes. Here, we present results from a large-scale experimental assessment of coral bleaching resistance, a critical trait for coral population persistence as oceans warm, in 221 colonies of the coral Acropora hyacinthus across 37 reefs in Palau. We find that bleaching-resistant individuals inhabit most reefs but are found more often in warmer microhabitats. Our survey also found wide variation in symbiont concentration among colonies, and that colonies with lower symbiont load tended to be more bleaching-resistant. By contrast, our data show that low symbiont load comes at the cost of lower growth rate, a tradeoff that may operate widely among corals across environments. Corals with high bleaching resistance have been suggested as a source for habitat restoration or selective breeding in order to increase coral reef resilience to climate change. Our maps show where these resistant corals can be found, but the existence of tradeoffs with heat resistance may suggest caution in unilateral use of this one trait in restoration.
Sustained expression of unc-4 homeobox gene and unc-37/Groucho in postmitotic neurons specifies the spatial organization of the cholinergic synapses in C. elegans
Authors: Kurashina Mizuki , Wang Jane , Lin Jeffrey , Lee Kathy Kyungeun , Johal Arpun , Mizumoto Kota
Published: August 2021

Neuronal cell fate determinants establish the identities of neurons by controlling gene expression to regulate neuronal morphology and synaptic connectivity. However, it is not understood if neuronal cell fate determinants have postmitotic functions in synapse pattern formation. Here we identify a novel role for UNC-4 homeobox protein and its corepressor UNC-37/Groucho, in tiled synaptic patterning of the cholinergic motor neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that unc-4 is not required during neurogenesis but is required in the postmitotic neurons for proper synapse patterning. In contrast, unc-37 is required in both developing and postmitotic neurons. The synaptic tiling defects of unc-4 mutants are suppressed by bar-1/β-catenin mutation, which positively regulates the expression of ceh-12/HB9. Ectopic ceh-12 expression partly underlies the synaptic tiling defects of unc-4 and unc-37 mutants. Our results reveal a novel postmitotic role of neuronal cell fate determinants in synapse pattern formation through inhibiting the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.
Patterns of within-host genetic diversity in SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Tonkin-Hill Gerry , Martincorena Inigo , Amato Roberto , Lawson Andrew RJ , Gerstung Moritz , Johnston Ian , Jackson David K , Park Naomi , Lensing Stefanie V , Quail Michael A , Gonçalves Sónia , Ariani Cristina , Spencer Chapman Michael , Hamilton William L , Meredith Luke W , Hall Grant , Jahun Aminu S , Chaudhry Yasmin , Hosmillo Myra , Pinckert Malte L , Georgana Iliana , Yakovleva Anna , Caller Laura G , Caddy Sarah L , Feltwell Theresa , Khokhar Fahad A , Houldcroft Charlotte J , Curran Martin D , Parmar Surendra ,   The COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium, Alderton Alex , Nelson Rachel , Harrison Ewan M , Sillitoe John , Bentley Stephen D , Barrett Jeffrey C , Torok M Estee , Goodfellow Ian G , Langford Cordelia , Kwiatkowski Dominic ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute COVID-19 Surveillance Team
Published: August 2021

Monitoring the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and reconstructing transmission chains has become a major public health focus for many governments around the world. The modest mutation rate and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 prevents the reconstruction of transmission chains from consensus genome sequences, but within-host genetic diversity could theoretically help identify close contacts. Here we describe the patterns of within-host diversity in 1181 SARS-CoV-2 samples sequenced to high depth in duplicate. 95.1% of samples show within-host mutations at detectable allele frequencies. Analyses of the mutational spectra revealed strong strand asymmetries suggestive of damage or RNA editing of the plus strand, rather than replication errors, dominating the accumulation of mutations during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Within- and between-host diversity show strong purifying selection, particularly against nonsense mutations. Recurrent within-host mutations, many of which coincide with known phylogenetic homoplasies, display a spectrum and patterns of purifying selection more suggestive of mutational hotspots than recombination or convergent evolution. While allele frequencies suggest that most samples result from infection by a single lineage, we identify multiple putative examples of co-infection. Integrating these results into an epidemiological inference framework, we find that while sharing of within-host variants between samples could help the reconstruction of transmission chains, mutational hotspots and rare cases of superinfection can confound these analyses.
A proteome-wide genetic investigation identifies several SARS-CoV-2-exploited host targets of clinical relevance
Authors: Anisul Mohd , Shilts Jarrod , Schwartzentruber Jeremy , Hayhurst James , Buniello Annalisa , Shaikho Elhaj Mohammed Elmutaz , Zheng Jie , Holmes Michael , Ochoa David , Carmona Miguel , Maranville Joseph , Gaunt Tom R , Emilsson Valur , Gudnason Vilmundur , McDonagh Ellen M , Wright Gavin J , Ghoussaini Maya , Dunham Ian
Published: August 2021

Background:

The virus SARS-CoV-2 can exploit biological vulnerabilities (e.g. host proteins) in susceptible hosts that predispose to the development of severe COVID-19.

Methods:

To identify host proteins that may contribute to the risk of severe COVID-19, we undertook proteome-wide genetic colocalisation tests, and polygenic (pan) and cis-Mendelian randomisation analyses leveraging publicly available protein and COVID-19 datasets.

Results:

Our analytic approach identified several known targets (e.g. ABO, OAS1), but also nominated new proteins such as soluble Fas (colocalisation probability >0.9, p=1 × 10-4), implicating Fas-mediated apoptosis as a potential target for COVID-19 risk. The polygenic (pan) and cis-Mendelian randomisation analyses showed consistent associations of genetically predicted ABO protein with several COVID-19 phenotypes. The ABO signal is highly pleiotropic, and a look-up of proteins associated with the ABO signal revealed that the strongest association was with soluble CD209. We demonstrated experimentally that CD209 directly interacts with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, suggesting a mechanism that could explain the ABO association with COVID-19.

Conclusions:

Our work provides a prioritised list of host targets potentially exploited by SARS-CoV-2 and is a precursor for further research on CD209 and FAS as therapeutically tractable targets for COVID-19.

Funding:

MAK, JSc, JH, AB, DO, MC, EMM, MG, ID were funded by Open Targets. J.Z. and T.R.G were funded by the UK Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MC_UU_00011/4). JSh and GJW were funded by the Wellcome Trust Grant 206194. This research was funded in part by the Wellcome Trust [Grant 206194]. For the purpose of open access, the author has applied a CC BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript version arising from this submission.
The Evaluation of Monolingual and Bilingual Students’ Writing Skills in Fifth Grade of Secondary School Comparatively
Authors: Özdemi̇r Haydar , Çi̇ftç Ömer
Published: August 2021

This study was conducted to determine the writing skills of bilingual students whose mother tongue is Kurdish and monoligual students whose mother tongue is Turkish in the fifth grade of secondary school. More specifically, the story and essay writing skills of bilingual students are compared with the writing skills of monolingual students based on their reading habits and their parents’ educational backgrounds. The research is a descriptive study based on scanning model and aims to reveal the current situation as it is. The study group of the research consists of a total of 104 fifth grade secondary school students, 52 bilingual and 52 monolingual, studying in 4 different secondary schools in the central district of İpekyolu in Van, Turkey. In order to determine students’ writing skills, stories and essays were written to them at different times in one lesson hour (average forty minutes). The stories were evaluated according to the Story Writing Evaluation Form (İzdeş, 2011). The essays were evaluated according to the Written Expression Rating Scale (Deniz, 2003). According to the results of Mann Whitney-U and Kruskal - Wallis-H tests, monolingual students outperformed bilingual students in both story and essay writing. While a significant difference was found between bilingual and monolingual students’ essay and story writing skills, no significant difference was found in terms of parents› education status or the number of books their parents read. The findings have interesting implications for the researchers and teachers in the area.
Metabarcoding confirms the opportunistic foraging behaviour of Atlantic bluefin tuna and reveals the importance of gelatinous prey
Authors: Günther Babett , Fromentin Jean-Marc , Metral Luisa , Arnaud-Haond Sophie
Published: August 2021

Studies of the diet, feeding habits and trophic activity of top marine predators are essential for understanding their trophodynamics. The main direct method used for such studies thus far has been morphological inventories of stomach contents. This approach presents limitations such as missing gelatinous prey, which are usually digested too quickly to be detectable. Here, we analysed the stomachs of 48 Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, approximately 15 to 60 kg, including juveniles and adult fishes) collected from the Mediterranean Sea through the metabarcoding of two gene regions (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and the ribosomal 18S-V1V2 region). The identified prey taxa and their relative read abundances (RRAs) estimated using COI results were in line with the findings of morphologically based inventories simultaneously performed on the same set of tuna samples. In both cases (and with the same rankings), the prey taxa included anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus, here detected in more than 80% of samples, RRA = 43%), sardine (Sardina pilchardus, also approximately 80%, RRA = 30%), sprat (Sprattus sprattus, approximately 66%, RRA = 8%), mackerel (Scomber colias, approximately 44%, RRA = 7%) and cephalopods (approximately 15%, RRA = 1.4%). Another striking result was the detection, based on 18S (with which vertebrates were detected as the most abundant group, RRA = 61.6%), of a high prevalence and diversity of gelatinous organisms (RRA = 27.1%), including cnidarians (6.7%), salps (11.7%), and ctenophores (8.7%), the latter increasing with the size of the predator. These results thus support the hypothesis of the role of gelatinous prey in the diet of Atlantic bluefin tuna, suggesting that this species is even more generalist and opportunistic than previously thought. This study further confirms that DNA metabarcoding can be a powerful tool for assessing the diet and trophodynamics of top marine predators.
Determinants of Personal Financial Literacy in Sri Lanka: With Special Reference to University Students
Authors: Priyadarshani Sudarma , Kumari J. A. Prasansha
Published: August 2021

The objective of the study is to determine the factors for the personal financial literacy of university students. The study aims at the determinants that reasoning on personal financial literacy. The sample was selected from a final year student at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Pearson Chi-Square was used to test the hypotheses. The study found that faculty, relevant course, work experience, monthly money receiving are the main determinants for the personal financial literacy of undergraduates. On the other hand, gender, education of parents, race, financial management skills, and personal financial literacy are not the significant factors for determinants to personal financial literacy. The outcomes of the study will be useful to academics, policymakers to understand the main determinants for personal financial literacy
Voltage Stability Evaluation in the Nigeria 44 Bus Grid Network using Modal Analysis
Authors: Aneke E. N. , Ibekwe B. E. , Iyidobi J. C. , Okafor E. N. C.
Published: August 2021

This paper focused on the application of modal analysis method to determine the voltage stability of the Nigeria 44 bus 330kV transmission grid network and to determine the network’s weakest buses. Modal method calculates the smallest eigenvalue and all the associated eigenvectors of the reduced Jacobian matrix, JR using steady state mode. The network model was developed in PSAT-MATLAB and load flow was performed on the network. Results and analysis showed that the Nigeria 44 Bus grid network was found to be unstable as the modal analysis revealed the presence of eigenvalue with a negative real part. Gombe, Damaturu and Yola buses were also discovered to be the vulnerable buses since their voltage profile fell below the IEEE standard voltage level of (0.95-1.05) pu. Yola bus was spotted as the weakest bus based on the analysis of the participating factors.
Enrichment of Therapeutically Significant Flavonolignans of Silybum Marianum in Vegetative Parts by Applying Fungal Elicitors, Methyl Jasmonate and Silver Nanoparticles as Elicitor in Hydroponic Culture
Authors: Mubeen Bismillah , Ali Qurban , Hasnain Ammarah , Malik Arif
Published: August 2021

Introduction: Medicinal plants are being used to treat several diseases for many decades and this is an ancient method to treat the patients. Herbal plant Silybum marianum found most effective one to cure liver disorders. This plant produces silymarin which is a secondary metabolite and have hepatoprotective properties. Silymarin is a mixture of flavonolignans (silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A isosilybin B, silychristin, silydianin apigenin 7-D glucose and taxifolin) that has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiallergenic properties. Therefore, the excessive production of silymarin is necessary to cure different types liver disorders, so the present study executed to boost up production of Silymarin flavonolignans in vegetative parts of the Silybum marianum plant by using different elicitors.

Materials and Methods: In the present study, elicitation technique in hydroponics system was used to enhance the production of pharmacologically active flavonolignans in Silybum marianum. Fungal elicitors prepared from lyophilized Aspergillus niger biomass, methyl jasmonate, silver nanoparticles and combination of silver nanoparticles and methyl jasmonate were added (0.2g/l), (100µM/l), (1 ppm) and (100µM/lppm) in hydroponics with Hoagland’s solution in hydroponics to enhance the production of flavonolignans of Silybum marianum. Controls were also set for each treatment. Plants were harvested after 72 hours of introduction of elicitors. High performance liquid chromatography technique was used for analytical purpose. Four solvents (methanol, acetonitrile, chloroform and 2% Trifloro acetic acid) were used in HPLC. Column was C18 and run time of sample was 1 hour. Silybum marianum’s seed extract was used as a standard. Extract of control and treated plants were run on the same polarity in HPLC.

Results: Results showed that after elicitation significant increase was observed in production of silymarin’s flavonolignans (silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B and apigenin 7-D glucose) in vegetative part of the plant but rate of production was different for each elicitor, fungal elicitors prepared from lyophilized Aspergillus niger biomass proved best among all treatments.
Deubiquitinase PSMD14 promotes ovarian cancer progression by decreasing enzymatic activity of PKM2
Authors: Sun Tianshui , Liu Zhuonan , Bi Fangfang , Yang Qing
Published: August 2021

Dysregulation of deubiquitination has been reported to contribute to carcinogenesis. However, the function and mechanism of deubiquitinating enzyme 26S proteasome non‐ATPase regulatory subunit 14 (PSMD14) in the progression of ovarian cancer (OV), the deadliest gynecological cancer, still remains to be characterized. The present study demonstrated that PSMD14 was overexpressed in OV tissues and its higher levels correlated with a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage in OV patients. A high level of PSMD14 expression was related to poor survival in OV patients. Knockdown and overexpression experiments elucidated that PSMD14 stimulated OV cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro. Repression of PSMD14 suppressed OV tumor growth in vivo. PSMD14 inhibitor O‐phenanthroline (OPA) effectively attenuated malignant behaviors of OV cells in vitro and OV tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, we uncovered that PSMD14 was involved in post‐translational regulation of pyruvate kinase M2 isoform (PKM2). PSMD14 decreased K63‐linked ubiquitination on PKM2, downregulated the ratio of PKM2 tetramers to dimers and monomers, and subsequently diminished pyruvate kinase activity and induced nuclear translocation of PKM2, contributing to aerobic glycolysis in OV cells. Collectively, our findings highlight the potential roles of PSMD14 as a biomarker and therapeutic candidate for OV.
Dielectric Constant Engineering of Organic Semiconductors: Effect of Planarity and Conjugation Length
Authors: Jiang Wei , Jin Hui , Babazadeh Mohammad , Loch Alex S. , Raynor Aaron , Mallo Neil , Huang David M. , Jiao Xuechen , Tan Wen Liang , McNeill Christopher R. , Burn Paul L. , Shaw Paul E.
Published: August 2021

Bulk heterojunction organic solar cells continue to show steady photoconversion efficiency improvements. However, single component organic solar cells are a particularly attractive alternative due to the relative simplicity of device manufacture. It has been proposed that organic semiconductors with a high dielectric constant (≈10) could give rise to spontaneous free charge carrier generation upon photoexcitation. In this manuscript, factors are explored that affect the dielectric constant of organic semiconductors, particularly the optical‐frequency dielectric constant. The properties of monomers, dimers and trimers of two isoelectronic families of materials that have acceptor units composed of one or two dicyanovinylbenzothiadiazole moieties and one to three donor units are compared. The donor components are composed of either fluorenyl or cyclopentadithiophene moieties with the same glycol‐based solubilizing groups. It is found that chromophore planarity and orientation with respect to the substrate, and film density affect the optical and electronic properties of the materials, especially the high‐frequency dielectric constant. The results also indicate that delocalization of the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals is a critical factor. The dimer with two dicyanovinylbenzothiadiazole moieties and two dithienocyclopentadiene units is found to have the highest optical frequency dielectric constant and overall performance.
Conformational Freedom‐Enhanced Optomechanical Energy Conversion Efficiency in Bulk Azo‐Polyimides
Authors: Zhai Chenxi , Lin Shangchao , Wang Mingchao , Zhou Huanhuan , Stanisauskis Eugenia , Cai Zhuangli , Yeo Jingjie , Oates William
Published: August 2021

Azobenzene‐doped glassy polyimides (azo‐polyimides) offer some of the most efficient optomechanical power densities to date rivaling electrostrictive polymers. Despite such potential attributes, the optomechanical efficiency remains low in comparison to other smart materials. Using high‐fidelity coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations, the authors reconcile both experimental and theoretical challenges to understand the limiting factors for the optomechanical conversion in photostrictive polymers. Interestingly, the ideal optomechanical efficiency of 10–24% for a single‐chain azo‐imide monomer predicted here is equal to or a little higher than experimental reports, suggesting experimental design space. The time‐dependent optomechanical efficiency of bulk azo‐polyimide is quantified, for the first time, to be strongly correlated with the initial free volumes, a measure of polymer conformational freedom. This trend is elaborated by conformational order parameters and viscoelastic relaxation moduli. Resembling the role of porosity in azobenzene‐contained metal/covalent organic frameworks to enhance the photo‐switching efficiency, a larger conformational freedom enables >10 times increase in optomechanical efficiency comparing to existing experiments. This is primarily due to facilitated viscoelastic relaxation after photo‐switching which alleviates residual stresses quickly and reduces heat dissipation. These findings suggest opportunities to improve the optomechanical performance through targeted strategies, such as porosity control and thermal annealing.
Sunlight‐Sensitive Plasmonic Nanostructured Composites as Photocatalytic Coating with Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Marín‐Caba Laura , Bodelón Gustavo , Negrín‐Montecelo Yoel , Correa‐Duarte Miguel A.
Published: August 2021

Infections caused by microorganisms are a global public health problem that continually demands new antimicrobial strategies. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photocatalytic materials is an attractive approach to combat microbes. Along these lines, titanium dioxide (TiO2) constitutes an outstanding light‐driven ROS generator. However, the wide bandgap of this semiconductor limits its use to the ultraviolet range of the spectral region. Herein, nanostructured materials composed of TiO2 nanoparticles and plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNRs) are presented for the photoinactivation of bacteria by means of sunlight irradiation, aiming to extend the photocatalytic action of the nanocomposite to the visible and near‐infrared ranges. It is shown that, upon simulated sunlight irradiation, the different composites as coating films show photodegradation of rhodamine B, ROS production, photocatalytic inactivation of protein function in bacterial biofilms, and strong antimicrobial activity. This approach involving AuNRs/TiO2 photocatalytic composites may pave the way for the fabrication of visible light‐responsive surfaces with antimicrobial activity.
K2Mn3[FeII(CN)6]2 NPs with High T1‐Relaxivity Attributable to Water Coordination on the Mn(II) Center for Gastrointestinal Tract MR Imaging
Authors: Kandanapitiye Murthi S. , Dassanayake Thiloka M. , Dassanayake Arosha C. , Shelestak John , Clements Robert J. , Fernando Can , Huang Songping D.
Published: August 2021

The lack of acid stability in the stomach and of temporal stability when moving through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has made the development of oral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents based on the platform of Gd3+–complexes problematic.On the other hand, the negative contrast enhancement produced by the T2‐weighted magnetic metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) often renders the image readout difficult. Biocompatible NPs of the manganese Prussian blue analog K2Mn3[FeII(CN)6]2 exhibit extremely high stability under the acidic conditions of the gastric juice. Additionally, the high r1 relaxivity, low toxicity, and high temporal stability of such NPs offer great potential for the development of a true T1‐weighted oral contrast agent for MRI of the entire GI tract.