bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of stream macroinvertebrate communities with eDNA is not congruent with tissue‐based metabarcoding
Authors: Gleason Jennifer Erin , Elbrecht Vasco , Braukmann Thomas W. A. , Hanner Robert H. , Cottenie Karl
Published: August 2020

Freshwater biomonitoring programmes routinely sample aquatic macroinvertebrates. These samples are time‐consuming to collect, as well as challenging and costly to identify reliably genus or species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has emerged as a surrogate to traditional collection techniques and has been used in whole‐community approaches across several taxa and ecosystems. However, the usefulness of eDNA‐based detection of freshwater macroinvertebrates has not been extensively explored. Few studies have directly compared bulk sample and eDNA metabarcoding at a local scale to assess how effective each method is at characterizing aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. Here, we collected both eDNA and kicknet samples at the same sample transect locations across nine different streams in southern Ontario, Canada. We observed minimal overlap in community composition between these paired samples. Bulk tissue metabarcoding resulted in a greater proportion of sequences belonging to metazoan taxa (over 99%) than eDNA (12%) and had higher OTU richness for macroinvertebrate taxa. We suggest that degenerate primers are not effective for eDNA metabarcoding due to the high degree of nontarget amplification and subsequently low yield of target DNA. While both bulk sample and eDNA metabarcoding had the power to detect differences between stream communities, eDNA did not represent local communities. Bulk tissue metabarcoding thus provides a more accurate representation of local stream macroinvertebrate communities and is the preferred method if smaller‐scale spatial resolution is an important factor in data analyses.
Definition of baseline renal function in hospitalised patients with multiple preadmission measures of serum creatinine—A joint modelling approach
Authors: Laszczyńska Olga , Severo Milton , Azevedo Ana
Published: August 2020

Aim

With the use of a joint model (JM) we investigated how different definitions of baseline serum creatinine (SCr) would affect the association between an acute increase in inpatients' SCr and 30‐day mortality and whether this effect depends on premorbid SCr trajectory.

Methods

This was a retrospective study including adult patients admitted to a tertiary acute‐care hospital in Porto, Portugal, between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015, who had at least two preadmission ambulatory and two inpatients SCr measurements. The baseline SCr was defined as the lowest (‐min), the most recent (‐last) or the median (‐medi) value over the preadmission period. The JM combined a linear mixed model for repeated inpatient SCr relative to baseline value and a Cox proportional survival model. Preadmission SCr courses were identified using linear regression and subsequently clustered based upon a patient‐specific slope. Preadmission SCr trajectories were described as median SCr courses within clusters.

Results

SCr trajectories were: “Stable” (78.0% of patients), “Decreasing” (11.3%) and “Increasing” (10.7%). Overall, an increase in inpatient SCr by 50% relative to baseline SCr‐min raised the risk of 30‐day mortality by 74%; the estimate was not different from hazard ratio (HR) obtained for SCr‐last (1.78) and SCr‐medi (1.71). We found no differences in HR across preadmission trajectories.

Conclusion

The increased risk of death associated with an abrupt rise in inpatient SCr depends neither on the definition of baseline SCr nor patients' SCr trajectory before hospitalisation. Preadmission SCr‐medi value may be the least biased estimate of the baseline renal function.
The coordination of OsbZIP72 and OsMYBS2 with reverse roles regulates the transcription of OsPsbS1 in rice
Authors: Fu Xiangkui , Liu Chang , Li Yingzi , Liao Shiyu , Cheng Huiya , Tu Yuan , Zhu Xiya , Chen Kai , He Yuqing , Wang Gongwei
Published: August 2020

Nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), an intricate photoprotective process, plays fundamental roles in maintaining plant fitness. The PsbS protein is essential for the rapid induction of NPQ, and acts in a dose‐dependent manner in leaves. However, little information is known on the transcriptional control of PsbS in land plants.

Here we demonstrated that the expression of OsPsbS1 is directly upregulated by OsbZIP72 while repressed by OsMYBS2 in rice. We identified a new cis‐element GACAGGTG in japonica OsPsbS1 promoter, to which OsbZIP72 could strongly bind and activate the expression of OsPsbS1. The new cis‐element CTAATC confers specific binding for OsMYBS2 in japonica OsPsbS1 promoter.

OsbZIP72 can be activated by SAPK1, and acts depending on the abscisic acid (ABA) signalling pathway. GF14A protein affects the repression activity of OsMYBS2 by regulating its nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, and Ser53 is necessary for OsMYBS2 to be retained in the cytoplasm. The inducibility of OsPsbS1 transcription under high light conditions in OsbZIP72 knockout lines was greatly impaired, while the repression of OsPsbS1 transcription under a low light environment in OsMYBS2 knockout lines was significantly alleviated.

These results reveal cross‐talk among NPQ processes, the ABA signalling pathway and abiotic stress signalling. The elaborate mechanisms may help enhance photoprotection and improve photosynthesis in rice.
Preschool wheezing and asthma in children: A systematic review of guidelines and quality appraisal with the AGREE II instrument
Authors: Ruszczyński Marek , Ambrożej Dominika , Adamiec Aleksander , Ryczaj Klaudia , Elenius Varpu , Cavkaytar Ozlem , Maggina Paraskevi , Makrinioti Heidi , Papadopoulos Nikolaos , Hedlin Gunilla , Konradsen Jon R. , Schaub Bianca , H. Smits Hermelijn , Jartti Tuomas , Feleszko Wojciech ,   EAACI Task Force on Clinical Practice Recommendations on Preschool Wheeze
Published: August 2020

Background

Asthma‐like symptoms in preschool children, such as wheezing and dyspnea, are common time‐ and resource‐consuming diagnostic and management challenges. Quality of wheezing and asthma recommendations varies. The purpose of this study, carried out by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Task Force for Preschool Wheeze, was to systematically review and assess the quality of guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of preschool wheezing and/or asthma.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched until June 2018. The methodological rigor, quality, and transparency of relevant guidelines were assessed with the use of the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

Results

We identified 26 guidelines. The quality scores for each domain varied. Of all domains, clarity and presentation had the highest mean score, whereas applicability and stakeholder involvement had the lowest. The scores (median) for individual domains were as follows: score and purpose 86%; stakeholder involvement 49%; rigor of development 54%; clarity of presentation 85%; applicability 51%; and editorial independence 63%.

Conclusion

Although several guidelines on asthma management in children are available, however, their quality varies. Additionally, there is a considerable gap in reliable recommendations on the management and treatment of non‐asthmatic preschool wheeze.
From conception to COVID‐19: an arduous journey of tribulations of racism and triumphs
Authors: Daniell Henry
Published: August 2020

Growing up in a densely wooded tropical forest enhanced my curiosity in plants and reading biography of Marie Curie profoundly influenced pursuit of my research career. Early in my career, I developed in vitro functional chloroplasts, capable of expressing foreign genes and this laid the foundation for the chloroplast genetic engineering field. Four decades of research has advanced chloroplast bioreactors for production of industrial enzymes or biopharmaceuticals by small or large companies. Because I experienced firsthand horrors of expensive vaccines or medicines, I devoted most of my career to develop affordable therapeutics. During this long journey, I suffered institutional racial discrimination but was rescued by several guardian angels. This biography gives readers a glimpse of tribulations and triumphs of my journey and recognizes important contributions made by my mentees.
SlTLFP8 reduces water loss to improve water‐use efficiency by modulating cell size and stomatal density via endoreduplication
Authors: Li Shuangtao , Zhang Jiaojiao , Liu Lun , Wang Zhirong , Li Yafei , Guo Luqin , Li Yu , Zhang Xichun , Ren Shuxin , Zhao Bing , Zhang Na , Guo Yang‐Dong
Published: August 2020

Improving plant water‐use efficiency (WUE) is important to plant survival and crop yield in the context of water limitation. In this study, SlTLFP8 (Tubby‐like F‐box protein 8) was identified as an osmotic‐induced gene in tomato. Transgenic tomato with up‐regulated expression of SlTLFP8 showed enhanced water‐deficient resistance, whereas knockout mutants generated by CRISPR/Cas9 were more sensitive to water deficit. SlTLFP8 overexpression significantly enhanced WUE by suppressing transpiration under both water‐sufficient and water‐deficient conditions. Further study showed that overexpressing SlTLFP8 significantly increased leaf epidermal cell size and thereby decreased stomatal density 10–20%, conversely SlTLFP8 knockout resulted in decreased cell size and thereby increased stomatal density 20–50%. SlTLFP8 overexpression and knockout modulated ploidy levels in leaf cells. Changes in expression of cell cycle related genes also indicated that SlTLFP8 affected cell size and stomatal density through endocycle transition. Despite changes in stomata density and transpiration, altering the expression of SlTLFP8 did not change photosynthesis. Additionally, biomass was not altered and there was little difference in fruit yield for transgenic and wild type lines under water‐sufficient and water‐deficient conditions. Our results demonstrate the effect of SlTLFP8 on endoreduplication and the potential of SlTLFP8 for improvement of WUE.

Brief Summery

This work found a new mechanism of TLP (Tubby like protein) response to water‐deficient stress. SlTLFP8, a member of TLP family, regulates water‐deficient resistance by modulating water loss via affecting stomatal density. Expression of SlTLFP8 was induced by osmotic stress. Transgenic tomato lines with SlTLFP8 overexpression or SlTLFP8 knockout showed significantly differences in water‐use efficiency (WUE) and water‐deficient resistance. The difference of leaf water loss caused by transpiration is the main explanation of the difference in WUE and water‐deficient resistance. Additionally, overexpressing SlTLFP8 significantly decreased stomatal density, while SlTLFP8 knockout resulted in increased stomatal density, and SlTLFP8 affected stomatal density through endoreduplication and altered epidermal cell size. Despite changes in stomata density, altering the expression of SlTLFP8 did not result in distinct changes in photosynthesis, biomass and yield of tomato.
Accountable Artificial Intelligence: Holding Algorithms to Account
Authors: Busuioc Madalina
Published: August 2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms govern in subtle yet fundamental ways the way we live and are transforming our societies. The promise of efficient, low‐cost, or “neutral” solutions harnessing the potential of big data has led public bodies to adopt algorithmic systems in the provision of public services. As AI algorithms have permeated high‐stakes aspects of our public existence—from hiring and education decisions to the governmental use of enforcement powers (policing) or liberty‐restricting decisions (bail and sentencing)—this necessarily raises important accountability questions: What accountability challenges do AI algorithmic systems bring with them, and how can we safeguard accountability in algorithmic decision‐making? Drawing on a decidedly public administration perspective, and given the current challenges that have thus far become manifest in the field, we critically reflect on and map out in a conceptually guided manner the implications of these systems, and the limitations they pose, for public accountability.
Cryopreservation of canine spermatozoa using a skim milk‐based extender and a short equilibration time
Authors: Abe Yasuyuki , Asano Tomoyoshi , Wakasa Ichiko , Kume Aiko , Yokozawa Sakimi , Umemiya‐Shirafuji Rika , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

Although useful spermatozoa cryopreservation techniques have been established, long‐term equilibration seems to be required before freezing the spermatozoa of many species, including dogs. The fertility of cryopreserved dog spermatozoa from five males for a reduced equilibration period (0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min) in a skim milk (SM)‐based extender containing raffinose was evaluated in the present study. When the sperm was diluted with the extender at room temperature (RT) and cryopreserved without equilibration, the proportion of total motile spermatozoa (TMS) after thawing was lower (27%) than when the sperm was equilibrated for 30 min (33%), 60 min (32%), 120 min (44%; p < .05) or 180 min (29%). The proportion of TMS increased as the equilibration time increased and peaked at 120 min. Acrosome integrity was significantly lower in the cryopreserved spermatozoa that had not undergone the initial equilibration than in the equilibrated spermatozoa (p < .05). The normal rate of acrosomes increased with the extension of the first equilibration and peaked at 120 min. When frozen–thawed spermatozoa that had been diluted at RT and subjected to an initial equilibration lasting 60 or 180 min were transcervically inseminated into recipients, there were no differences in the delivery rate, litter size or breeding efficiency. In the cryopreservation of canine spermatozoa using a SM‐based extender, even if the initial equilibration time was shortened to 60 min, the results were comparable to those obtained when the conventional method (with an initial equilibration time of 180 min) was used.
A data set for modeling claims processes—TSA claims data
Authors: Kelly Mary , Wang Zilin
Published: August 2020

This data insight highlights the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) claims data as an underused data set that would be particularly useful to researchers developing statistical models to analyze claim frequency and severity. Individuals who have been injured or had items damaged, lost or stolen may make a claim for losses to the TSA. The federal government reports information on every claim from 2002 to 2017 at https://www.dhs.gov/tsa-claims-data. Information collected includes claim date and type and site as well as closed claim amount and disposition (whether it was approved in full, denied, or settled. We provide summary statistics on the frequency and the severity of the data for the years 2003 to 2015. The data set has several unique features including severity is not truncated (there is no deductible), there are significant mass points in the severity data, and the frequency data shows a high degree of auto correlation if compiled on a weekly basis, and substantial frequency mass points at zero for daily data.
Adding Measurement Error to Location Data to Protect Subject Confidentiality While Allowing for Consistent Estimation of Exposure Effects
Authors: Karra Mahesh , Canning David , Sato Ryoko
Published: August 2020

In public use data sets, it is desirable not to report a respondent's location precisely to protect subject confidentiality. However, the direct use of perturbed location data to construct explanatory exposure variables for regression models will generally make naive estimates of all parameters biased and inconsistent. We propose an approach where a perturbation vector, consisting of a random distance at a random angle, is added to a respondent's reported geographic co-ordinates. We show that, as long as the distribution of the perturbation is public and there is an underlying prior population density map, external researchers can construct unbiased and consistent estimates of location-dependent exposure effects by using numerical integration techniques over all possible actual locations, although coefficient confidence intervals are wider than if the true location data were known. We examine our method by using a Monte Carlo simulation exercise and apply it to a real world example using data on perceived and actual distance to a health facility in Tanzania.
Orthodontic treatment and aesthetic rehabilitation in a patient with Turner syndrome: A case report
Authors: Marçal Felipe Franco , Costa Ana Carolina de Figueiredo , Magalhães Iana Aragão , Guerra Lis Monteiro de Carvalho , Lopes Luiza Lassi de Araújo , Alves e Silva Francisco Cláudio Fernandes , Vieira‐Meyer Anya Pimentel Gomes Fernandes
Published: August 2020

Aims

This case report describes an orthodontic and aesthetic rehabilitation in a patient with Turner syndrome.

Methods and results

Careful anamnesis was performed to find the patient's medical history. Based on dental casts, radiographies and photographies it was observed alterations in the craniofacial complex, in the occlusion and in the dental morphology. For the orthodontic treatment, rapid maxillary expansion was performed, followed by the use of fixed orthodontic appliance. At the end, aesthetic rehabilitation, with direct composite resin veneers, was utilized for the correction of existing diastema. Treatment goals were achieved by observing an improvement in facial and smile harmony.

Conclusion

The orthodontic treatment followed by aesthetic rehabilitation of dental morphology showed to be feasible in a patient with Turner syndrome based on an early diagnosis and craniofacial growth follow‐up.
Measurement properties of handheld dynamometry for assessment of shoulder muscle strength: A systematic review
Authors: Sørensen Lotte , Oestergaard Lisa Gregersen , van Tulder Maurits , Petersen Annemette Krintel
Published: August 2020

Like any assessment tool, handheld dynamometry (HHD) must be valid and reliable in order to be meaningful in clinical practice and research. To summarize the evidence of measurement properties of HHD for the assessment of shoulder muscle strength. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMBASE, and PEDro were searched up to February 2020. Inclusion criteria were studies (a) evaluating HHD used on the glenohumeral joint, (b) evaluating measurement properties, and (c) included individuals ≥ 18 years old with or without shoulder symptoms. Exclusion criteria were studies (a) including patients with neurologic, neuromuscular, systemic diseases, or critical illness or bed‐side patients and (b) that did not report the results separately for each movement. In total, 28 studies with 963 participants were included. The reliability results showed that 98% of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values were ≥0.70. The measurement error showed that the minimal detectable change in percent varied from 0% to 51.0%. The quality of evidence was high or moderate for the majority of movements and type of reliability examined. Based on the evidence of low or very low quality of evidence, the convergent validity and discriminative validity of HHD were either sufficient, indeterminate, or insufficient. The reliability of HHD was overall sufficient, and HHD can be used to distinguish between individuals on the group level. The measurement error was not sufficient, and evaluation of treatment effect on the individual level should be interpreted with caution.
One‐year aerobic interval training in outpatients with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Brobakken Mathias Forsberg , Nygård Mona , Güzey Ismail Cüneyt , Morken Gunnar , Reitan Solveig Klæbo , Heggelund Jørn , Vedul‐Kjelsaas Einar , Wang Eivind
Published: August 2020

Although aerobic interval training (AIT) is recognized to attenuate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality, it appears that it rarely arrives at patients’ doorsteps. Thus, this study investigated 1‐year effects and feasibility of AIT delivered with adherence support in collaborative care of outpatients with schizophrenia. Forty‐eight outpatients (28 men, 35 [31‐38] (mean [95% confidence intervals]) years; 20 women, 36 [30‐41] years) with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (ICD‐10) were randomized to either a collaborative care group provided with municipal transportation service and training supervision (walking/running 4 × 4 minutes at ~90% of peak heart rate; HRpeak) 2 d wk−1 at the clinic (TG) or a control group (CG) given 2 introductory AIT sessions and advised to continue training. Directly assessed peak oxygen uptake () increased in the TG after 3 months (2.3 [0.6‐4.4] mL kg−1 min−1, Cohen's d = 0.33[−4.63 to 4.30], P = 0.04), 6 months (2.7 [0.5‐4.8] mL kg−1 min−1, Cohen's d = 0.42[−4.73 to 4.11], P = 0.02) and 1 year (4.6 [2.3‐6.8] mL kg−1 min−1, Cohen's d = 0.70[−4.31 to 4.10], P < 0.001) compared to the CG. One‐year cardiac effects revealed higher HRpeak (7 [2‐11] b min−1, Cohen's d = 0.34[−8.48 to 8.65], P = 0.01), while peak stroke volume tended to be higher (0.9 [−0.2 to 2.0] mL b−1, Cohen's d = 0.35[−1.62 to 2.01], P = 0.11) in the TG compared to the CG. Conventional risk factors (body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and lipids/glucose) remained unaltered in both groups. One‐year AIT adherence rates were 15/25 (TG; different from CG: P < 0.001) and 0/23 (CG). AIT was successfully included in long‐term collaborative care of outpatients with schizophrenia and yielded improved , advocating this model for aerobic capacity improvement and CVD risk reduction in future treatment.
Material flow analysis of plastic in organic waste in Switzerland
Authors: Kawecki Delphine , Goldberg Livnat , Nowack Bernd
Published: August 2020

Soils have been shown to be a major sink for plastic that is released to the environment. Several agricultural practices have been identified that can result in large plastic flows onto soils, among them the use of plastic‐polluted compost and digestate. However, the magnitude of this flow is currently still unclear. The aim of this work was to quantify the flows of plastic with compost and digestate onto soils based on data from Switzerland using material flow analysis (MFA). Input data to the model were based on published data on organic waste management and plastic content in compost. In order to quantify the plastic in the biomass input, measurements were made at an anaerobic digestion plant. Together with published data on the plastic content in compost, the full fate of plastic in organic waste in Switzerland could be obtained from 1985 to 2017. 6,300 t year−1 of plastic enter the system together with organic waste, and 6,200 t year−1 are removed and are incinerated. 34.5 ± 7.1 t year−1 are contained in the solid digestate, 50 ± 11 t year−1 in compost, 12.4 ± 3 t year−1 in windrow compost and 2.0 ± 0.4 t year−1 in solid digestate from codigestion. Overall, 71 ± 11 t year−1 of plastic are transferred to agricultural soil, 22.4 ± 3.3 t year−1 to horticulture and 3.6 ± 0.7 t year−1 to private consumers. Using dynamic MFA, we predict that 1,390 ± 390 tonnes of plastic have accumulated in Swiss soils through compost addition since 1985. These values can serve as basis for evaluating the contribution of composting to the plastic pollution in soils.
Soil carbon improvement under long‐term (36 years) no‐till sorghum production in a sub‐tropical environment
Authors: Govindasamy Prabhu , Liu Rui , Provin Tony , Rajan Nithya , Hons Frank , Mowrer Jake , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: August 2020

Soil organic matter (SOM) is considered an important indicator of soil quality, which can be impacted by crop production practices such as tillage. In this study, two long‐term tillage regimes (conventional tillage [CT] and no tillage [NT], conducted for 36 years) were compared in continuous sorghum production in a sub‐tropical environment in southeast Texas. The positive effects of long‐term NT practice were more conspicuous at the soil surface compared with the deeper soil profiles. The SOC was greater (1.5 t C ha−1 greater) in the NT system compared with the CT system. Results from an incubation study indicate that the rate of C‐min at 0–5 cm soil depth was significantly greater (164 μg of CO2–C g−1 of soil greater) in NT than that of CT, but this trend was reversed at 10–20 cm depth wherein the C‐min rates were 106 μg of CO2–C g−1 of soil greater in CT compared with NT, which is likely because of soil disturbance during the study. Soil cumulative CO2‐C emissions were greater in the CT system (7.28 g m−2) than in the NT system (5.19 g m−2), which is primarily attributed to high soil temperature conditions in the CT system. Sorghum grain yield however was not influenced by the differences in SOC content in this long‐term experiment. Overall, the present study found that long‐term conservation tillage improved SOC stock and reduced carbon loss, thus had a positive impact on soil health and sustainability.
The novel HLA‐DQB1*05:254 allele identified in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: August 2020

One nucleotide substitution in codon 71 of HLA‐DQB1*05:02:01:01 results in a new allele, HLA‐DQB1*05:254.
Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in North‐Central Nigeria: a school‐based cross‐sectional pilot study
Authors: Nkereuwem Esin , Ige Olukemi O. , Yilgwan Christopher , Jobe Modou , Erhart Annette , Bode‐Thomas Fidelia
Published: August 2020

Objectives

To present epidemiological data on rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the most common acquired heart disease in children and young adults in low‐ and middle‐income countries, for North‐Central Nigeria.

Methods

In this pilot study, we conducted clinical and echocardiography screening on a cross section of randomly selected secondary schoolchildren in Jos, North‐Central Nigeria, from March to September 2016. For outcome classification into borderline or definite RHD, we performed a confirmatory echocardiography using the World Heart Federation criteria for those suspected to have RHD from the screening.

Results

A total of 417 secondary schoolchildren were screened, of whom 247 (59.2%) were female. The median age was 14 years (IQR: 13–15). Clinical screening detected 8/417 children, whereas screening echocardiography detected 42/417 suspected cases of RHD. Definitive echocardiography confirmed 9/417 with RHD corresponding to a prevalence of 21.6 per 1000 (95% CI, 6.7–36.5). All but one of the confirmed RHD cases (8/9) were borderline RHD corresponding to a prevalence of 19.2 per 1000 (95% CI, 8.3–37.5) for borderline RHD and 2.4 per 1000 (95% CI, 0.1–13.3) for definite RHD. RHD was more common in boys and cardiac auscultation missed over 50% of the cases.

Conclusions

This study showed a high prevalence of RHD among secondary schoolchildren in North‐Central Nigeria with a vast predominance of asymptomatic borderline lesions. Larger school‐based echocardiography screening using portable or handheld echocardiography aimed at early detection of subclinical RHD should be adopted.
The trehalose 6‐phosphate pathway impacts vegetative phase change in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Ponnu Jathish , Schlereth Armin , Zacharaki Vasiliki , Działo Magdalena A. , Abel Christin , Feil Regina , Schmid Markus , Wahl Vanessa
Published: August 2020

The vegetative phase change marks the beginning of the adult phase in the life cycle of plants and is associated with a gradual decline in the microRNA miR156, in response to sucrose status. Trehalose 6‐phosphate (T6P) is a sugar molecule with signaling function reporting the current sucrose state. To elucidate the role of T6P signaling in vegetative phase change, molecular, genetic, and metabolic analyses were performed using Arabidopsis thaliana loss‐of‐function lines in TREHALOSE PHOSPHATE SYNTHASE1 (TPS1), a gene coding for an enzyme that catalyzes the production of T6P. These lines show a significant delay in vegetative phase change, under both short and long day conditions. Induced expression of TPS1 complements this delay in the TPS1 knockout mutant (tps1‐2 GVG::TPS1). Further analyses indicate that the T6P pathway promotes vegetative phase transition by suppressing miR156 expression and thereby modulating the levels of its target transcripts, the SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE genes. TPS1 knockdown plants, with a delayed vegetative phase change phenotype, accumulate significantly more sucrose than wild‐type plants as a result of a feedback mechanism. In summary, we conclude that the T6P pathway forms an integral part of an endogenous mechanism that influences phase transitions dependent on the metabolic state.
Beyond Accessibility: The Belonging and Participation of Deaf Subjects in the Art Museum of Rio (MAR)
Authors: Pereira Vanessa Bartolo Guimarães , Corrêa Silvia Borges , De Jesus Diego Santos Vieira
Published: August 2020

Based on a Gramscian perspective on accessibility and inclusion, this article aims to analyze the actions carried out by the Art Museum of Rio (Museu de Arte do Rio, MAR, in Portuguese) that provide for the participation and belonging of deaf subjects who use the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) in their institutional space. MAR, one of the newest museums in Rio de Janeiro, planned and implemented in the context of the revitalization process of the city’s Port Zone, stands out in the Brazilian museum scene with a management that consolidates actions aimed at guaranteeing deaf people’s linguistic rights through Libras.
Exploring the maturation of a monocytic cell line using self-organizing maps of single-cell Raman spectra
Authors: Majumdar Sayani , Kraft Mary L.
Published: August 2020

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-differentiated THP-1 cells are routinely used in lieu of primary macrophages to study macrophage polarization during host-pathogen interactions and disease progression. The phenotypes of THP-1 macrophages are influenced by the level and duration of PMA stimulation and possibly also by the presence of adhesion factors. Here, we use self-organizing maps (SOMs) of single-cell Raman spectra to probe the effects of PMA stimulation conditions and adhesion factors on THP-1 cell differentiation. Raman spectra encoding for biochemical composition were acquired from individual cells on substrates coated with fibronectin or poly-l-lysine before and after stimulation with 20 or 200 nM PMA for two different time intervals. SOMs constructed from these spectra showed the extent of spectral dissimilarity between different chronological cell populations. For all conditions, the SOMs indicated that the spectra acquired from cells after three-day treatment had diverged from those of untreated cells. The SOMs also showed that the higher PMA concentration produced both fully and partially differentiated cells for both adhesion factors after three days, whereas the outcome of stimulation for three days with the lower PMA concentration depended on the adhesion factor. On poly-l-lysine, treatment with 20 nM PMA for three days induced an intermediate stage of differentiation, but the same treatment produced partially and fully differentiated cells when applied to THP-1 cells on fibronectin. These results are consistent with the modulation of the transition of THP-1 monocytes into macrophage-like cells by integrin-binding interactions. Furthermore, differences in culture and stimulation conditions may confound comparison of results from separate studies.
An Open-Label Study of the Impact of Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Single Oral and Intravenous Doses of Omadacycline
Authors: Kovacs Steven J. , Ting Lillian , Praestgaard Jens , Sunkara Gangadhar , Sun Haiying , Stein Daniel S. , Tanaka S. Ken , Villano Stephen
Published: August 2020

Omadacycline is a once-daily oral or intravenous (i.v.) aminomethylcycline antibiotic approved in the United States for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) in adults. Omadacycline pharmacokinetics were characterized in 18 patients with hepatic impairment and 12 matched healthy subjects. Patients with hepatic impairment received i.v. omadacycline at 100 mg (mild hepatic impairment) or 50 mg (moderate and severe hepatic impairment) and oral omadacycline at 300 mg (mild hepatic impairment) or 150 mg (moderate hepatic impairment); oral omadacycline was not evaluated in those with severe hepatic impairment.
Clarithromycin Exerts an Antibiofilm Effect against
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium rdar Biofilm Formation and Transforms the Physiology towards an Apparent Oxygen-Depleted Energy and Carbon Metabolism
Authors: Zafar Munirah , Jahan Humera , Shafeeq Sulman , Nimtz Manfred , Jänsch Lothar , Römling Ute , Choudhary M. Iqbal
Published: August 2020

Upon biofilm formation, production of extracellular matrix components and alteration in physiology and metabolism allows bacteria to build up multicellular communities which can facilitate nutrient acquisition during unfavorable conditions and provide protection toward various forms of environmental stresses to individual cells. Thus, bacterial cells within biofilms become tolerant against antimicrobials and the immune system. In the present study, we evaluated the antibiofilm activity of the macrolides clarithromycin and azithromycin.
The Sensor Kinase QseC Regulates the Unlinked PmrA Response Regulator and Downstream Gene Expression in Francisella
Authors: Hoang Ky Van , Fitch James , White Peter , Mohapatra Nrusingh P. , Gunn John S.
Published: August 2020

The facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia in humans and animals. Gram-negative bacteria utilize two-component regulatory systems (TCS) to sense and respond to their changing environment. No classical, tandemly arranged sensor kinase and response regulator TCS genes exist in the human virulent Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis, but orphaned members are present. PmrA is an orphan response regulator responsible for intramacrophage growth and virulence; however, the regulation of PmrA activity is not understood. We and others have shown that PmrA represses the expression of priM, described to encode an antivirulence determinant. By screening a mutant library for increased priM promoter activity, we identified the sensor kinase homolog QseC as an upstream regulator of priM expression, and this regulation is in part dependent upon the aspartate phosphorylation site of PmrA (D51). Several examined environmental signals, including epinephrine, which is reported to activate QseC in other bacteria, do not affect priM expression in a manner dependent on PmrA. Intramacrophage survival assays also question the finding that PriM is an antivirulence factor. Thus, these data suggest that the PmrA-regulated gene priM is modulated by the QseC-PmrA (QseB) TCS in Francisella.

IMPORTANCE The disease tularemia is caused by the highly infectious Gram-negative pathogen Francisella tularensis. This bacterium encodes few regulatory factors (e.g., two-component systems [TCS]). PmrA, required for intramacrophage survival and virulence in the mouse model, is encoded by an orphan TCS response regulator gene. It is unclear how PmrA is responsive to environmental signals to regulate loci, including the PmrA-repressed gene priM. We identify an orphan sensor kinase (QseC) that is required for priM repression and further explore both environmental signals that might regulate the QseC-PmrA TCS and the function of PriM.
Z plus jets production via double parton scattering in pA collisions at the LHC
Authors: Blok Boris , Ceccopieri Federico Alberto
Published: August 2020

We present results on Zjj production via double parton scattering in pA collisions at the LHC. We perform the analysis at leading and next-leading order accuracy with different sets of cuts on jet transverse momenta and accounting for the single parton scattering background. By exploiting the experimental capability to measure the centrality dependence of the cross section, we discuss the feasibility of DPS observation in already collected data at the LHC and in future runs.
Subadditivity of generalized Kodaira dimensions and extension theorems
Authors: Zhou Xiangyu , Zhu Langfeng
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we introduce the notion of generalized Kodaira dimension with multiplier ideal sheaves, and prove the subadditivity of these generalized Kodaira dimensions for certain Kähler fibrations, which was originally obtained for Kodaira dimensions of algebraic fiber spaces by Kawamata and Viehweg. Our method is analytic and based on some new results in recent years. The crucial step in our proof is to prove an [Formula: see text] extension theorem for twisted pluricanonical sections on compact Kähler manifolds. Moreover, we also discuss the relation between two previous optimal [Formula: see text] extension theorems with singular weights on weakly pseudoconvex Kähler manifolds.
The matrix of the Green function and the Green representation formula of the Stokes equations for a half space
Authors: Kobayashi Teppei
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we consider the matrix of the Green function of the Stokes equations for a half space. To the best of author’s knowledge, the matrix of the Green function has been obtained for a half space in [Formula: see text]. But the matrix of the Green function for a half space in [Formula: see text] has not been obtained. Moreover, the author considers that the form of the matrix of the Green function in [Formula: see text] is irregular.

In this paper, we obtain the regular form of the matrix of the Green function of the Stokes equations for a half space in [Formula: see text]. Moreover we obtain the Green representation formula of the Stokes equations for a half space in [Formula: see text].
Annulus shape tank with convective flow in a porous zone with impose of MHD
Authors: Chu Yu-Ming , Salahshoor Zahra , Shahraki Maliheh Saber , Shafee Ahmad , Bach Quang-Vu
Published: August 2020

Current investigation deals with influence of inclusion of nanoparticles within the permeable medium within a tank with circular outer wall. The inner surface is hot and the radiative term has been imposed in temperature equation. Vorticity formula helps us to remove the pressure terms from equations and CVFEM was incorporated to calculate the amount of scalars in each node. With correlating the current data from previous paper, verification procedure was done which demonstrates good accuracy. Permeability has crucial role and greater values of Da results in stronger thermal penetration and isotherms become more disturbed. Intensity of cell augments with rise of Da about 70% in absence of Ha. Impose of Rd cannot affect the isotherms too much while it can change the Nu regarding the definition of this factor. When [Formula: see text], growth of Ha can decline the strength of eddy about 35%. Given [Formula: see text], as Da increases, Nu enhances about 10.24% and 0.25% when [Formula: see text]e5 and 1e3, respectively. Replacing platelet with sphere shape can augment the Nu about 0.38% and 0.6% when [Formula: see text] and 0, respectively.
EFFECTS OF ELECTRIFICATION ON THE COAL INDUSTRY’S PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION: EVIDENCE FROM 1900S JAPAN
Authors: MORIMOTO MAYO
Published: August 2020

This study examines how electrification affected the economic performance of the Japanese coal mining industry in the 1900s. Using difference-in-differences estimation, we find that electrification considerably improved labor productivity and increased the number of workers, but had statistically zero effects on miners’ wages and caused a significant decline in the labor income share. We explain this phenomenon by using the “superstar firm” hypothesis, which provides a consistent explanation of the recent declines in labor income share in the US economy.
A Study on Efficient Computing Budget Allocation for a Two-Stage Problem
Authors: Wang Tianxiang , Xu Jie , Hu Jian-Qiang
Published: August 2020

We consider how to allocate simulation budget to estimate the risk measure of a system in a two-stage simulation optimization problem. In this problem, the first stage simulation generates scenarios that serve as inputs to the second stage simulation. For each sampled first stage scenario, the second stage procedure solves a simulation optimization problem by evaluating a number of decisions and selecting the optimal decision for the scenario. It also provides the estimated performance of the system over all sampled first stage scenarios to estimate the system’s reliability or risk measure, which is defined as the probability of the system’s performance exceeding a given threshold under various scenarios. Usually, such a two-stage procedure is very computationally expensive. To address this challenge, we propose a simulation budget allocation procedure to improve the computational efficiency for two-stage simulation optimization. After generating first stage scenarios, a sequential allocation procedure selects the scenario to simulate, followed by an optimal computing budget allocation scheme that determines the decision to simulate in the second stage simulation. Numerical experiments show that the proposed procedure significantly improves the efficiency of the two-stage simulation optimization for estimating system’s reliability.
Trade Credit Financing for Two Competitive Retailers in a Capital-Constrained Supply Chain
Authors: Zhan Jizhou , Chen Xiangfeng , Huang Jiazhou
Published: August 2020

This study examines trade credit strategy in a supply chain framework including one manufacturer and two competitive retailers under a Cournot game setting. We consider three supply chain models depending on how many retailers have capital constraints: (i) Model NN (i.e., none of the retailers has capital constraints); (ii) model AN (i.e., a single retailer has capital constraint); and (iii) model AA (i.e., dual retailers have capital constraints). We analyze equilibrium strategies of supply chain under three models, and show that the manufacturer sets a higher price for a capital-constrained retailer than that for a fund-abundant retailer. Notably, the fund-abundant retailer’s wholesale price is not dependent on its rival’s capital status. Certain numerical experiments have been performed to show the impact of retailer’s competition, market disturbance, and production cost on trade credit financing strategy. Findings reveal that by increasing the horizontal competition intensity, the capital-constrained retailer benefits more from trade credit. With a higher market disturbance or a higher production cost, the manufacturer is more willing to offer trade credit to capital-constrained retailers.
Spinor field solutions in F(B2) modified Weyl gravity
Authors: Dzhunushaliev Vladimir , Folomeev Vladimir
Published: August 2020

We consider modified Weyl gravity where a Dirac spinor field is nonminimally coupled to gravity. It is assumed that such modified gravity is some approximation for the description of quantum gravitational effects related to the gravitating spinor field. It is shown that such a theory contains solutions for a class of metrics which are conformally equivalent to the Hopf metric on the Hopf fibration. For this case, we obtain a full discrete spectrum of the solutions and show that they can be related to the Hopf invariant on the Hopf fibration. The expression for the spin operator in the Hopf coordinates is obtained. It is demonstrated that this class of conformally equivalent metrics contains the following: (a) a metric describing a toroidal wormhole without exotic matter; (b) a cosmological solution with a bounce and inflation and (c) a transition with a change in metric signature. A physical discussion of the results is given.
Sequences of single-particle energy levels of even–even SHN with Z = 116−132 based on α-decay systematics
Authors: Ismail M. , Adel A.
Published: August 2020

The [Formula: see text]-decay half-lives, [Formula: see text], for five heavy and nine superheavy even–even nuclei with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, have been calculated within the density-dependent cluster model. The [Formula: see text]-nucleus potential was derived by employing the double-folding model with a realistic [Formula: see text] interaction whose exchange part has a finite-range. We considered several isotopes for each [Formula: see text]-value. The behavior of [Formula: see text] against the neutron number variation for different isotopes of each element is investigated. We found a clear similarity in the behavior of [Formula: see text] for the isotopes of a number of successive elements. The proton pair in the emitted [Formula: see text] particle, for these elements, comes from the same proton energy level. Also, the behavior of [Formula: see text] with the parent neutron number, for different isotopes of an element, was found to be governed by the existence of neutron magic number or neutron-level closure. The possibility to correlate the behavior of [Formula: see text] for several isotopes of a specific element with the proton and neutron energy levels of this element is investigated. Moreover, the behavior of [Formula: see text] when adding successive proton pairs to fill the energy level at different neutron numbers is studied. This work can be considered as a significant step forward to correlate the behavior of [Formula: see text] with the energy levels.
THE MULTIFRACTAL PROPERTY OF HETEROGENEOUS MICROSTRUCTURE IN CEMENT PASTE
Authors: GAO YUN , GU YEHAN , MU SONG , JIANG JINYANG , LIU JIAPING
Published: August 2020

Highlights

(1) Microstructure of cement paste is acquired through computed tomography. (2) Multifractal property of heterogeneous microstructure is examined. (3) Incorporation of blast furnace slag results in a decrease of singularity width.

The microstructure of cement paste is highly heterogeneous in nature that plays a significant role in macroscopic performance. This paper is dedicated to examining the multifractal property of microstructure in cement paste, based on which the microstructural heterogeneity could be quantified meanwhile. In particular, the X-ray computed tomography is adopted to acquire the realistic three-dimensional (3D) microstructure. Then, a thorough examination is performed on the multifractal property with respect to the partition function, the generalized dimension and the multifractal spectrum.

Results indicate that the multifractal property in terms of local porosity can be recognized for the heterogeneous microstructure in both ordinary and blast furnace slag blended Portland cement pastes. The multifractal spectrum or singularity width is available to account for the degree of heterogeneity.
EFFECT OF FRACTAL DIMENSION IN CONCRETE MESO-STRUCTURE ON ITS AXIAL MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR: A NUMERICAL CASE STUDY
Authors: YANG XU , LI LIANG , DAI HONGZHE , JIA MINGMING
Published: August 2020

The numerical meso-modeling method is a powerful tool for simulating concrete and studying the influence of the geometric form of meso-structure on its mechanical behavior. It is still uncertain how to most effectively characterize the geometric form of the concrete meso-structure and its effect on the observed macro behavior. In this study, the fractal dimension of cement paste was used to describe the geometric form of concrete at the meso-level. A group of meso-models of concrete with various fractal dimensions and coarse aggregate contents were simulated using the Random Fractal Modeling method, and the numerical results under compression and tension were studied and discussed. The simulation results suggested that the compressive initial modulus, the compressive strength decreased, the strain corresponding to the maximum compressive stress decreased with increasing fractal dimension. However, the fractal dimension did not influence the tensile initial modulus, the tensile strength, and the strain corresponding to the maximum tensile stress obviously. The comprehensive consideration of the fractal characterize can provide a reasonable tool for understanding and predicting the observed macroscopic behavior of concrete.