bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic tolerance in environmentally stressedBacillus subtilis: physical barriers and induction of a viable but nonculturable state
Authors: Morawska Luiza P , Kuipers Oscar P
Published: June 2022

Bacterial communities exposed to rapid changes in their habitat encounter different forms of stress. Fluctuating conditions of the microenvironment drive microorganisms to develop several stress responses to sustain growth and division, like altering gene expression and changing the cell's physiology. It is commonly known that these protection systems may give rise to differently adapted subpopulations and indirectly impact bacterial susceptibility to antimicrobials. This study focuses on the adaptation of a soil-dwelling bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, to sudden osmotic changes, including transient and sustained osmotic upshift. Here, we demonstrate that physiological changes caused by pre-exposure to osmotic stress facilitate B. subtilis' entry into a quiescent state, helping them survive when exposed to a lethal antibiotic concentration. We show that the adaptation to transient osmotic upshift with 0.6 M NaCl causes decreased metabolic rates and lowered antibiotic-mediated ROS production when cells were exposed to the aminoglycoside antibiotic kanamycin. Using a microfluidic platform combined with time-lapse microscopy, we followed the uptake of fluorescently labelled kanamycin and examined the metabolic activity of differently preadapted populations at a single-cell level. The microfluidics data revealed that under the conditions tested, B. subtilis escapes from the bactericidal activity of kanamycin by entering into a nongrowing dormant state. Combining single-cell studies and population-wide analysis of differently preadapted cultures, we demonstrate that kanamycin-tolerant B. subtilis cells are entrapped in a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state.
It’s Complicated: Minority Stress, Social Support, In-Group Social Contact, and Sexual Minority Older Adults’ Well-Being
Authors: Detwiler Bethany P , Caskie Grace I L , Johnson Nicole L
Published: June 2022

Background and Objectives

We applied the Minority Stress Model to sexual minority older adults to examine how distal minority stressors of ageism and heterosexism related to psychological well-being (life satisfaction, quality of life, psychological distress, and loneliness). We investigated social support and in-group social contact as stress-ameliorating factors and tested for a potential intersection of stress due to minority identities.

Research Design and Methods

A sample of 189 sexual minority older adults (50–86 years; M = 60.41) completed survey measures online. Hierarchical regression analyses with interaction terms were utilized to test study hypotheses.

Results

Findings offered partial support for the Minority Stress Model. Large effect sizes were obtained, explaining 32%–56% of the variance in psychological well-being with models including ageism, heterosexism, stress-ameliorating factors, and demographics. Ageism and heterosexism related to greater psychological distress; however, heterosexism became nonsignificant after controlling for stress-ameliorating factors. Ageism and heterosexism’s relations to loneliness and quality of life followed similar patterns. Social support was a strong predictor of better psychological well-being for all measures. In-group social contact buffered against distress resulting from ageism, but heightened distress resulting from heterosexism. The interaction of ageism and heterosexism was not significant.

Discussion and Implications

Ageism was a distinct source of distress for sexual minority older adults. Although social support emerged as crucial to well-being, the mixed findings related to in-group contact as a stress-ameliorating factor may indicate a need for tailored social engagement to optimize community connection as protective for sexual minority older adults.
The Manchurian Walnut Genome: Insights into Juglone and Lipid Biosynthesis
Authors: Li Xiang , Cai Kewei , Zhang Qinhui , Pei Xiaona , Chen Song , Jiang Luping , Han Zhiming , Zhao Minghui , Li Yan , Zhang Xinxin , Li Yuxi , Zhang Shikai , Chen Su , Qu Guanzheng , Tigabu Mulualem , Chiang Vincent L , Sederoff Ronald , Zhao Xiyang
Published: June 2022

Background

Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica Maxim.) is a tree with multiple industrial uses and medicinal properties in the Juglandaceae family (walnuts and hickories). J. mandshurica produces juglone, which is a toxic allelopathic agent and has potential utilization value. Furthermore, the seed of J. mandshurica is rich in various unsaturated fatty acids and has high nutritive value.

Findings

Here, we present a high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome assembly and annotation for J. mandshurica (n = 16) with a contig N50 of 21.4 Mb by combining PacBio high-fidelity reads with high-throughput chromosome conformation capture data. The assembled genome has an estimated sequence size of 548.7 Mb and consists of 657 contigs, 623 scaffolds, and 40,453 protein-coding genes. In total, 60.99% of the assembled genome consists of repetitive sequences. Sixteen super-scaffolds corresponding to the 16 chromosomes were assembled, with a scaffold N50 length of 33.7 Mb and a BUSCO complete gene percentage of 98.3%. J. mandshurica displays a close sequence relationship with Juglans cathayensis, with a divergence time of 13.8 million years ago. Combining the high-quality genome, transcriptome, and metabolomics data, we constructed a gene-to-metabolite network and identified 566 core and conserved differentially expressed genes, which may be involved in juglone biosynthesis. Five CYP450 genes were found that may contribute to juglone accumulation. NAC, bZip, NF-YA, and NF-YC are positively correlated with the juglone content. Some candidate regulators (e.g., FUS3, ABI3, LEC2, and WRI1 transcription factors) involved in the regulation of lipid biosynthesis were also identified.

Conclusions

Our genomic data provide new insights into the evolution of the walnut genome and create a new platform for accelerating molecular breeding and improving the comprehensive utilization of these economically important tree species.
A risk variant for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma at chr8p23.1 affects enhancer activity and implicates multiple gene targets
Authors: Ali Mourad Wagdy , Chen Jianhong , Yan Li , Wang Xiaoyu , Dai James Y , Vaughan Thomas L , Casey Graham , Buas Matthew F
Published: June 2022

Nineteen genetic susceptibility loci for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and its precursor Barrett’s esophagus (BE) have been identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Clinical translation of such discoveries, however, has been hindered by the slow pace of discovery of functional/causal variants and gene targets at these loci. We previously developed a systematic informatics pipeline to prioritize candidate functional variants using functional potential scores, applied the pipeline to select high-scoring BE/EAC risk loci and validated a functional variant at chr19p13.11 (rs10423674). Here, we selected two additional prioritized loci for experimental interrogation: chr3p13/rs1522552 and chr8p23.1/rs55896564. Candidate enhancer regions encompassing these variants were evaluated using luciferase reporter assays in two EAC cell lines. One of the two regions tested exhibited allele-specific enhancer activity – 8p23.1/rs55896564. CRISPR-mediated deletion of the putative enhancer in EAC cell lines correlated with reduced expression of three candidate gene targets: B lymphocyte kinase (BLK), nei like DNA glycosylase 2 (NEIL2) and cathepsin B (CTSB). Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping in normal esophagus and stomach revealed strong associations between the BE/EAC risk allele at rs55896564 (G) and lower expression of CTSB, a protease gene implicated in epithelial wound repair. These results further support the utility of functional potential scores for GWAS variant prioritization, and provide the first experimental evidence of a functional variant and risk enhancer at the 8p23.1 GWAS locus. Identification of CTSB, BLK and NEIL2 as candidate gene targets suggests that altered expression of these genes may underlie the genetic risk association at 8p23.1 with BE/EAC.
Efficacy of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: El Hage Chehade Nabil , Ghoneim Sara , Shah Sagar , Chahine Anastasia , Mourad Fadi H , Francis Fadi F , Binion David G , Farraye Francis A , Hashash Jana G
Published: June 2022

Background

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been investigated as a treatment option for patients with inflammatory bowel disease with controversial results.

We sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the benefit of FMT in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Methods

Double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including adult patients with active ulcerative colitis who received either FMT or placebo were eligible for inclusion. Outcomes of interest included the rate of combined clinical and endoscopic remission, endoscopic remission or response, clinical remission or response, and specific adverse events. The results were pooled together using Reviewer Manager 5.4 software. Publication bias was assessed using the Egger’s test.

Results

Six RCTs involving 324 patients were included. Our findings demonstrate that compared with placebo, FMT has significant benefit in inducing combined clinical and endoscopic remission (odds ratio, 4.11; 95% confidence interval, 2.19-7.72; P < .0001). Subgroup analyses of influencing factors showed no differences between pooled or single stool donors (P = .71), fresh or frozen FMT (P = .35), and different routes or frequencies of delivery (P = .80 and .48, respectively). Pre-FMT antibiotics, bowel lavage, concomitant biologic therapy, and topical rectal therapy did not affect combined remission rates (P values of .47, .38, .28, and .40, respectively). Clinical remission or response and endoscopic remission or response were significantly higher in patients who received FMT compared with placebo (P < .05) without any differences in serious or specific adverse events.

Conclusions

FMT demonstrated a clinical and endoscopic benefit in the short-term treatment of active ulcerative colitis, with a comparable safety profile to placebo. Future RCTs are required to standardize study protocols and examine data on maintenance therapy.
Spurious solutions for high-order curl problems
Authors: Hu Kaibo , Zhang Qian , Han Jiayu , Wang Lixiu , Zhang Zhimin
Published: June 2022

We investigate numerical solutions of high-order $\operatorname {curl}$ problems with various formulations and finite elements. We show that several classical conforming finite elements lead to spurious solutions, while mixed formulations with finite elements in complexes solve the problems correctly. To explain the numerical results, we clarify the cohomological structures in high-order $\operatorname {curl}$ problems by relating the partial differential equations to the Hodge–Laplacian boundary problems of the $\operatorname {grad}\operatorname {curl}$ complexes.
Placental Injury and Antibody Transfer after Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Pregnancy
Authors: Timi Patience , Kellerhals Sarah E , Joseph Naima T , Dude Carolynn M , Verkerke Hans P , Irby Les’Shon S , Smith Alicia K , Stowell Sean R , Jamieson Denise J , Badell Martina L
Published: June 2022

Background

We examined the relationship between placental histopathology and transplacental antibody transfer in pregnant patients after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods

Differences in plasma concentrations of anti-receptor biding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies in maternal and cord blood were analyzed according to presence of placental injury.

Results

Median anti-RBD IgG concentrations in cord blood with placental injury (n = 7) did not differ significantly from those without injury (n = 16) (median 2.7 [interquartile range {IQR}, 1.8–3.6] vs 2.7 [IQR, 2.4–2.9], P = 0.59). However, they were associated with lower transfer ratios (median 0.77 [IQR, 0.61–0.97] vs 0.97 [IQR, 0.80–1.01], P = 0.05).

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 placental injury may mediate reduced maternal-fetal antibody transfer.
Reimagining Conflict Management Pedagogy through Fantastical Role-Play Simulations
Authors: Wehlan Cody W , Reinke Amanda J
Published: June 2022

Research demonstrates that simulations encourage students to apply their understanding of theories and content, navigate problem-solving processes with peers, support student motivation for learning, and reflect afterward to enrich their comprehension of course materials. Peacebuilding and international relations scholars have implemented simulations to improve student learning and understanding about complex dilemmas, such as collective action, structural inequality, post-conflict reconstruction, climate change, disaster management, and terrorism. However, studies of real-life-based simulations also indicate that they may entrench, rather than subvert, students’ extant bias, perpetuate cultural misrepresentation, and pose logistical challenges for instructors and students. We thus add to scholarly debates about the utility of role-play simulations in internationalized pedagogy settings by asking and answering: Do adult learners perceive fantastical role-play simulations as effective teaching and learning tools for cross-cultural negotiation? We bridge disparate literature on (1) simulations as active learning tools, (2) real-life simulation approaches for teaching cross-cultural studies, and (3) creative play pedagogy to investigate the utility of fantastical simulation as a pedagogical approach for teaching cross-cultural negotiation theories. While we examined the perceived effectiveness of fantastical simulations for adult learners in a graduate-level course, more research is needed to understand their utility in other classrooms and disciplines.
Suitability of SoToxa® Oral Fluid Screening Over Time: Re-Examination of Drugged Driving in Wisconsin
Authors: Savage Theodore , Sanders Therese , Pieters Ryan , Miles Amy , Barkholtz Heather
Published: June 2022

Drug-impaired driver detection is a critical element of traffic safety. However, shifting drug use patterns over time and geography may limit the long-term reliability of assay-based screening tools. In this work, we compare qualitative results from the Abbott SoToxa® oral fluid (OF) screening device to Quantisal™ OF and whole blood. Our objective was to examine these three qualitative toxicological approaches, scope applicability of OF collection at the roadside, and compare them with a previous analysis of SoToxa® in Wisconsin. OF specimens were screened with the SoToxa® for six drugs or drug classes including amphetamine, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). OF and blood specimens were collected from 106 participants. Quantisal™ OF and blood specimens were screened for drugs on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC–QToF-HRMS) using a data-independent acquisition mode. UPLC–QToF-HRMS data were compared to comprehensive spectral libraries, and drugs were qualitatively identified. Drug Recognition Expert evaluations were performed, and face sheets submitted for 21 participants in this work. In general, the SoToxa® results were consistent with the combined qualitative results observed in Quantisal™ OF specimens and whole blood specimens. Limitations were uncovered for benzodiazepines, opioids and THC. The SoToxa® benzodiazepine assay has high cutoff concentrations for diazepam and clonazepam, limiting its sensitivity and positive predictive value when considering these drugs. SoToxa® opioid screening did not detect fentanyl, which is increasingly prevalent among drug users. Finally, ∆9-THC and its major metabolite 11-nor-9-carboxy-∆9-THC are lipophilic, limiting partitioning into OF. Despite these limitations, the SoToxa® instrument may be useful in assisting law enforcement with identifying individuals driving under the influence of drugs and establishing probable cause at roadside for making impaired driving arrests. Furthermore, Quantisal™ OF may be useful as screening specimens due to their ease of collection and results consistent with whole blood.
Integration of Control Strategies to Optimize Management of Ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and Phytophthora Root Rot (Peronosporales: Peronosporaceae) in Flowering Dogwoods (Cornalaes: Cornaceae) After Simulated Flooding
Authors: Neupane Krishna , Ojha Vivek K , Oliver Jason B , Addesso Karla M , Baysal-Gurel Fulya
Published: June 2022

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) and Phytophthora root rot (Peronosporales: Peronosporaceae) cause significant damage to the ornamental industry in the United States. In this study, mefenoxam (fungicide), permethrin (insecticide), and charcoal + kaolin were used in different combinations with Phytophthora cinnamomi (Rands: Peronosporales: Peronosporaceae) inoculated and noninoculated plants to optimize the management of ambrosia beetles and Phytophthora root rot. Treatment applications were performed in two trials on 1 (mefenoxam, drench), 18 (P. cinnamomi inoculation), or 19 (permethrin, spray) days before instigating flood stress or 2 d after flood stress (charcoal + kaolin, spray), respectively. Flooding was maintained for 21 d. Ambrosia beetle attacks and plant growth data were recorded. Tree roots were rated at study end for disease severity and root samples were plated on PARPH-V8 medium to determine the percentage of pathogen recovery. In both trials, the combination of mefenoxam + permethrin treatment had reduced disease severity and ambrosia beetle attacks compared to the inoculated controls. Permethrin-treated trees had shorter galleries compared to controls in trial 1 and no gallery formation in trial 2. In both trials, no differences were observed among the treatments in numbers of galleries with eggs and adults, but mefenoxam + charcoal + kaolin had significantly fewer galleries with larvae among the noninoculated trees compared with the respective control in trial 1. Overall, treatments containing combinations of mefenoxam + permethrin had reduced disease severity and ambrosia beetle attacks.
Lack of Evidence for Fitness Costs in Soybean Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) With Resistance to Pyrethroid Insecticides in the Upper Midwest Region of the United States
Authors: Menger James P , Ribeiro Arthur V , Potter Bruce D , Valmorbida Ivair , Hodgson Erin W , Knodel Janet J , Koch Robert L
Published: June 2022

Twenty years after the arrival of soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the United States, it remains the most economically important arthropod pest of soybean in the Upper Midwest Region. After years of repeated and sustained insecticidal pressures placed on the aphid, resistance to the pyrethroid class of insecticides has been documented in multiple years over a large geographic area. In this study, the fitness of aphid isolates displaying resistant and susceptible phenotypes to λ-cyhalothrin were compared within several experiments over three soybean-growing seasons. Rates of population increase were evaluated on whole plants in the greenhouse, intrinsic rates of increase were calculated from leaf discs in the laboratory, and aphid size and asymmetry were compared through tibial measurements. No evidence of a fitness cost associated with the resistant phenotype was seen in any of our experiments. In contrast, individual resistant isolates occasionally supported significantly higher fitness values than some susceptible isolates. Additionally, a pooled analysis comparing resistant and susceptible phenotypes across years and isolates revealed that, on average, the resistant phenotype had significantly higher fitness values than the susceptible phenotype in most experiments. The lack of reproductive fitness costs associated with the pyrethroid-resistant phenotype raises concerns for longevity of pyrethroid use in soybean aphid management.
Gut Bacterial Diversity and Community Structure of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Welsh Onion-producing Areas of North China
Authors: Zhou Lihong , Chen Chen , Wang Xingya
Published: June 2022

Gut microbiota play an important role in digestion, development, nutritional metabolism, and detoxification in insects. However, scant information exists on the gut bacterial variation, composition, and community structure of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), and how its gut microbiota has adapted to different geographical environments. Using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology, we detected 3,837,408 high-quality reads and 1,457 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in 47 gut samples of S. exigua collected from ten sites in northern China. Overall, we identified 697 bacterial genera from 30 phyla, among which Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the most dominant phyla. Gut bacterial alpha-diversity metrics revealed significant differences among these populations. We detected the highest alpha bacterial diversity in Xinming, northern Liaoning Province, and the lowest bacterial diversity in Zhangwu, western Liaoning Province. Beta diversity indicated that the gut microbial community structure of S. exigua in Liaoning Province was significantly different from that of other populations. There was a similar microbial community structure among populations in the adjacent province, suggesting that the environment influences bacterial succession in this pest. Finally, PICRUSt analysis demonstrated that microbial functions closely associated with the gut microbiomes mainly included membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism and replication, and amino acid metabolism.
Elevated ozone inhibits isoprene emission of a diploid and a triploid genotype of Populus tomentosa by different mechanisms
Authors: Li Shuangjiang , Feng Zhaozhong , Yuan Xiangyang , Wang Miaomiao , Agathokleous Evgenios
Published: June 2022

Ozone (O3) pollution affects plant growth and isoprene (ISO) emission. However, the response mechanism of isoprene emission rate (ISOrate) to elevated O3 (EO3) remains poorly understood. ISOrate was investigated in two genotypes (diploid and triploid) of Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa Carr.) exposed to EO3 in an open top chamber system. The triploid genotype had higher photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (gs) than the diploid one. EO3 significantly decreased A, gs, and ISOrate of middle and lower leaves in both genotypes. In the diploid genotype, the reduction of ISOrate was caused by a systematic decrease related to ISO synthesis capacity, as indicated by decreased contents of the isoprene precursor dimethylallyl diphosphate and decreased isoprene synthase protein and activity. On the other hand, the negative effect of O3 on ISOrate of the triploid genotype did not result from inhibited ISO synthesis capacity, but from increased ISO oxidative loss within the leaf. Our findings will be useful for breeding poplar genotypes with high yield and lower ISOrate, depending on local atmospheric volatile organic compound/NOx ratio, to cope with both the rising O3 concentrations and increasing biomass demand. They can also inform the incorporation of O3 effects into process-based models of isoprene emission.
The observability of galaxy merger signatures in nearby gas-rich spirals
Authors: McElroy Rebecca , Bottrell Connor , Hani Maan H , Moreno Jorge , Croom Scott M , Hayward Christopher C , Twum Angela , Feldmann Robert , Hopkins Philip F , Hernquist Lars , Husemann Bernd
Published: June 2022

Galaxy mergers are crucial to understanding galaxy evolution, therefore we must determine their observational signatures to select them from large IFU galaxy samples such as MUSE and SAMI. We employ 24 high-resolution idealized hydrodynamical galaxy merger simulations based on the ‘Feedback In Realistic Environment’ (FIRE-2) model to determine the observability of mergers to various configurations and stages using synthetic images and velocity maps. Our mergers cover a range of orbital configurations at fixed 1:2.5 stellar mass ratio for two gas rich spirals at low redshift. Morphological and kinematic asymmetries are computed for synthetic images and velocity maps spanning each interaction. We divide the interaction sequence into three: (1) the pair phase; (2) the merging phase; and (3) the post-coalescence phase. We correctly identify mergers between first pericentre passage and 500 Myr after coalescence using kinematic asymmetry with 66 per cent completeness, depending upon merger phase and the field of view of the observation. We detect fewer mergers in the pair phase (40 per cent) and many more in the merging and post-coalescence phases (97 per cent). We find that merger detectability decreases with field of view, except in retrograde mergers, where centrally concentrated asymmetric kinematic features enhances their detectability. Using a cut-off derived from a combination of photometric and kinematic asymmetry, we increase these detections to 89 per cent overall, 79 per cent in pairs, and close to 100 per cent in the merging and post-coalescent phases. By using this combined asymmetry cut-off we mitigate some of the effects caused by smaller fields of view subtended by massively multiplexed integral field spectroscopy programmes.
Gaia DR3 in 6D: the search for fast hypervelocity stars and constraints on the galactic centre environment
Authors: Marchetti Tommaso , Evans Fraser A , Rossi Elena Maria
Published: June 2022

The third data release (DR3) of the European Space Agency satellite Gaia provides coordinates, parallaxes, proper motions, and radial velocities for a sample of ∼34 million stars. We use the combined 6D phase space information to search for hypervelocity stars (HVSs), unbound stars accelerated by dynamical processes happening in the Galactic Centre. By looking at the kinematics of Gaia DR3 stars in Galactocentric coordinates and by integrating their orbits in the Galactic potential, we do not identify any HVS candidates with a velocity higher than 700 km s−1 and robustly observed kinematics. Assuming a scenario wherein the interaction between a stellar binary and the massive black hole Sgr A* is responsible for HVS ejections from the Galactic Centre, we derive degenerate limits on the ejection rate of HVSs and the slope of the initial mass function of the primary star among binaries in the Galactic Centre. Our results indicate that the HVS ejection rate is ≲8 × 10−5 yr−1 assuming a Salpeter mass function, and this upper limit becomes progressively smaller for an increasingly top-heavy mass distribution. A fiducial HVS ejection rate of 10−4 yr−1 prefers a mass function slope ≲−2.35, disfavouring previously claimed top-heavy initial mass functions among stars in the Galactic Centre.
Icy molecule desorption in interstellar grain collisions
Authors: Kalvāns Juris , Silsbee Kedron
Published: June 2022

Observations of gaseous complex organic molecules (COMs) in cold starless and prestellar cloud cores require efficient desorption of the COMs and their parent species from icy mantles on interstellar grains. With a simple astrochemical model, we investigate if mechanical removal of ice fragments in oblique collisions between grains in two size bins (0.01 and 0.1 µm) can substantially affect COM abundances. Two grain collision velocities were considered – 10 and 50 m s−1, corresponding to realistic grain relative speeds arising from ambipolar diffusion and turbulence, respectively. From the smaller grains, the collisions are assumed to remove a spherical cap with height equal to 1/3 and 1 ice mantle thickness, respectively. We find that the turbulence-induced desorption can elevate the gas-phase abundances of COMs by several orders of magnitude, reproducing observed COM abundances within an order of magnitude. Importantly, the high gaseous COM abundances are attained for long time-scales of up to 1 Myr and for a rather low methanol ice abundance, common for starless cores. The simple model, considering only two grain size bins and several assumptions, demonstrates a concept that must be tested with a more sophisticated approach.
Asteroseismology of RR Lyrae stars with non-radial modes
Authors: Netzel Henryka , Smolec Radosław
Published: June 2022

The additional signals observed in the frequency spectra of the first-overtone RR Lyrae stars, which form a period ratio around 0.61 with the period of the first overtone, are a common phenomenon for RRc and RRd stars, as well as for first-overtone classical Cepheids. The recently proposed model explains these signals as harmonics of non-radial modes of degrees 8 or 9 in the case of RR Lyrae stars and 7, 8, or 9 in the case of classical Cepheids. We selected at least triple-mode RR Lyrae stars pulsating in radial and non-radial modes for asteroseismic modelling. We assume the identification of the non-radial modes as predicted by the model. We calculated a dense grid of models for RR Lyrae stars using envelope pulsation code. By matching first-overtone period and period ratios, we obtained physical parameters for the selected sample of triple-mode stars. It is the very first attempt of modelling RR Lyrae stars with non-radial modes. We compared our results with predictions of stellar evolution theory, which resulted in a mass discrepancy more noticeable for long-period stars: Pulsation masses seem higher than evolutionary masses. We compared metallicity estimates for RRc stars from a modelled sample with metallicities determined spectroscopically for a sample of RRc stars in the solar neighbourhood: Both distributions are consistent.
Defects in autophagy lead to selective in vivo changes in turnover of cytosolic and organelle proteins in Arabidopsis
Authors: Li Lei , Lee Chun Pong , Ding Xinxin , Qin Yu , Wijerathna-Yapa Akila , Broda Martyna , Otegui Marisa S , Millar A Harvey
Published: June 2022

Identification of autophagic protein cargo in plants in autophagy-related genes (ATG) mutants is complicated by changes in protein synthesis and protein degradation. To detect autophagic cargo, we measured protein degradation rate in shoots and roots of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) atg5 and atg11 mutants. These data show that less than a quarter of proteins changing in abundance are probable cargo and revealed roles of ATG11 and ATG5 in degradation of specific glycolytic enzymes and of other cytosol, chloroplast, and ER-resident proteins, and a specialized role for ATG11 in degradation of proteins from mitochondria and chloroplasts. Protein localization in transformed protoplasts and degradation assays in the presence of inhibitors confirm a role for autophagy in degrading glycolytic enzymes. Autophagy induction by phosphate (Pi) limitation changed metabolic profiles and the protein synthesis and degradation rates of atg5 and atg11 plants. A general decrease in the abundance of amino acids and increase in secondary metabolites in autophagy mutants was consistent with altered catabolism and changes in energy conversion caused by reduced degradation rate of specific proteins. Combining measures of changes in protein abundance and degradation rates, we also identify ATG11 and ATG5-associated protein cargo of low Pi-induced autophagy in chloroplasts and ER-resident proteins involved in secondary metabolism.
Optimizing parameters of information-theoretic correlation measurement for multi-channel time-series datasets in gravitational-wave detectors
Authors: Jung Piljong , Oh Sang Hoon , Son Edwin J , Kim Young-Min , Oh John J
Published: June 2022

Data analysis in modern science using extensive experimental and observational facilities, such as gravitational-wave detectors, is essential in the search for novel scientific discoveries. Accordingly, various techniques and mathematical principles have been designed and developed to date. A recently proposed approximate correlation method based on information theory has been widely adopted in science and engineering. Although the maximal information coefficient (MIC) method remains in the phase of improving its algorithm, it is particularly beneficial in identifying the correlations of multiple noise sources in gravitational-wave detectors including non-linear effects. This study investigates various prospects for determining MIC parameters to improve the reliability of handling multi-channel time-series data, reduce high computing costs, and propose a novel method of determining optimized parameter sets for identifying noise correlations in gravitational-wave data.
Mortgage Refinancing, Consumer Spending, and Competition: Evidence from the Home Affordable Refinance Program
Authors: Agarwal Sumit , Amromin Gene , Chomsisengphet Souphala , Landvoigt Tim , Piskorski Tomasz , Seru Amit , Yao Vincent
Published: June 2022

We examine the ability of the government to impact mortgage refinancing activity and spur consumption by focusing on the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) that relaxed housing equity constraints by extending government credit guarantee on insufficiently collateralized refinanced mortgages. Difference-in-difference tests based on program eligibility criteria reveal a significant increase in refinancing activity by HARP. More than three million eligible borrowers with primarily fixed-rate mortgages refinanced under HARP, receiving an average reduction of 1.45$\%$ in interest rate ($3,000 in annual savings). Durable spending by borrowers increased significantly after refinancing. Regions more exposed to the program saw a relative increase in non-durable and durable consumer spending, a decline in foreclosure rates, and faster recovery in house prices. Competitive frictions in the refinancing market hampered the program’s impact: the take-up rate and annual savings among those who refinanced were reduced by 10–20$\%$, with amplified effects for the most indebted borrowers.
Outcomes of children born to mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus exposed to hydroxychloroquine or azathioprine
Authors: Reynolds John A , Gayed Mary , Khamashta Munther A , Leone Francesca , Toescu Veronica , Bruce Ian N , Giles Ian , Teh Lee-Suan , McHugh Neil , Akil Mohammed , Edwards Christopher J , Gordon Caroline
Published: June 2022

Objectives

HCQ and AZA are used to control disease activity and reduce risk of flare during pregnancy in patients with SLE. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of children born to mothers with SLE exposed to HCQ or AZA during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Methods

Women attending UK specialist lupus clinics with children ≤17 years old, born after SLE diagnosis, were recruited to this retrospective study. Data were collected using questionnaires and from clinical record review. Factors associated with the outcomes of low birth weight and childhood infection were determined using multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression models.

Results

We analysed 284 live births of 199 mothers from 10 UK centres. The first pregnancies of 73.9% of mothers (147/199) were captured in the study; (60.4%) (150/248) and 31.1% (87/280) children were exposed to HCQ and AZA, respectively. There were no significant differences in the frequency of congenital malformations or intrauterine growth restriction between children exposed or not to HCQ or AZA. AZA use was increased in women with a history of hypertension or renal disease. Although AZA was associated with low birth weight in univariate models, there was no significant association in multivariable models. In adjusted models, exposure to AZA was associated with increased reports of childhood infection requiring hospital management [odds ratio 2.283 (1.003, 5.198), P = 0.049].

Conclusions

There were no significant negative outcomes in children exposed to HCQ in pregnancy. AZA use was associated with increased reporting of childhood infection, which warrants further study.
An institutionalist perspective on smart specialization: Towards a political economy of regional innovation policy
Authors: Benner Maximilian
Published: June 2022

The smart specialization approach has guided regional innovation policies in Europe for roughly a decade. However, the policy practice under the approach has met considerable criticism which suggests the existence of significant gaps between the conceptual level and the level of policy implementation. To explain and understand the reasons for these gaps, this article proposes an institutionalist perspective rooted in neo-institutional sociology. In particular, the article draws on concepts such as ceremony, myth, and isomorphism and argues that such an institutionalist perspective can provide one of several fields of further research on the political economy of regional innovation policy. Pursuing such research is particularly relevant to inform policymaking in the coming years, given the current tendency to re-orient smart specialization towards challenge orientation, directionality, normativity, and sustainability.
Impacts of including Sweet Bran and wet distillers grains with solubles alone or in combination in finishing cattle diets on physically effective fiber concentrations and rumen buffering characteristics of feedlot cattle
Authors: Spowart Paige R , Richeson John T , Crawford David M , Samuelson Kendall L
Published: June 2022

This study evaluated the effects of Sweet Bran (SB) and wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in the diet alone or in combination on physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF), ruminal pH, and rumination behavior of finishing beef cattle. For this study, 455 steers (373 ± 15.5 kg) were allocated to 48 pens in a randomized complete block design. Treatments (n = 12 pens per treatment) were one of four steam-flaked corn-based diets containing no corn-milling products (CON), 20% WDGS (WDGS20), 20% SB (SB20), or 20% SB and 10% WDGS (COMBO). Within each pen, two steers were randomly selected to receive an indwelling ruminal pH bolus to quantify ruminal pH and a 3-axis accelerometer tag to measure rumination for the first 92 d of the study. Diet samples were collected weekly to determine particle size, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration, and peNDF. Physically effective NDF was calculated using both the proportion of particles > 4.0 mm (peNDF4.0) and the proportion of particles > 8.0 mm (peNDF8.0). The percentage of particles > 4.0 mm was greatest (P < 0.01) for CON, intermediate for SB20, and least for WDGS20 and COMBO. Both NDF (P < 0.01) and peNDF4.0 (P < 0.01) were greatest for COMBO, intermediate for WDGS20 and SB20, and least for CON. The percentage of particles > 8.0 was greatest (P < 0.01) for CON, intermediate for WDGS20 and SB20, and least for COMBO, but peNDF8.0 did not differ (P = 0.40). A diet × day interaction (P < 0.01) was observed for daily rumination minutes per kg of DMI, NDF, peNDF4.0, and peNDF8.0. A diet × hour interaction (P < 0.01) was observed where CON cattle spent less time ruminating at 0800 and 1000 h in a 24 h period. Daily ruminal pH was greatest (P < 0.01) for COMBO, intermediate for SB20 and WDGS20, and least for CON. A diet × hour interaction (P < 0.01) was also observed for circadian ruminal pH, where pH was least for CON from 0800 to 1800 h. Relationships between peNDF, rumination behavior, and ruminal pH observed in this study suggest that SB and WDGS similarly enhance rumen buffering capacity when steam-flaked corn is replaced in the diet.
Photosynthetic and defensive responses of two Mediterranean oaks to insect leaf herbivory
Authors: Fyllas Nikolaos M , Chrysafi Despina , Avtzis Dimitrios N , Moreira Xoaquín
Published: June 2022

Insect herbivory is a dominant interaction across virtually all ecosystems globally and has dramatic effects on plant function such as reduced photosynthesis activity and increased levels of defenses. However, most previous work assessing the link between insect herbivory, photosynthesis and plant defenses has been performed on cultivated model plant species, neglecting a full understanding of patterns in natural systems. In this study, we performed a field experiment to investigate the effects of herbivory by a generalist foliar feeding insect (Lymantria dispar) and leaf mechanical damage on multiple leaf traits associated with defense against herbivory and photosynthesis activity on two sympatric oak species with contrasting leaf habit (the evergreen Quercus coccifera L. and the deciduous Quercus pubescens Willd). Our results showed that, although herbivory treatments and oak species did not strongly affect photosynthesis and dark respiration, these two factors exerted interactive effects. Insect herbivory and mechanical damage (vs control) decreased photosynthesis activity for Q. coccifera but not for Q. pubescens. Insect herbivory and mechanical damage tended to increase chemical (increased flavonoid and lignin concentration) defenses, but these effects were stronger for Q. pubescens. Overall, this study shows that two congeneric oak species with contrasting leaf habit differ in their photosynthetic and defensive responses to insect herbivory. While the evergreen oak species followed a more conservative strategy (reduced photosynthesis and higher physical defenses), the deciduous oak species followed a more acquisitive strategy (maintained photosynthesis and higher chemical defenses).
Utility of Expanded Carrier Screening in Pregnancies With Ultrasound Abnormalities
Authors: Stevens Blair K. , Nunley Peyton B. , Wagner Chelsea , Murphy Lauren , Wittman Theresa , Ramdaney Aarti , Jones Malorie , Choates Meagan Giles
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from Prenat Diagn 2022;42:60–78)

Routine screening with prenatal ultrasound is now recommended in all pregnancies due in part to the 3% risk for congenital anomalies. Detected anomalies that receive a prenatal diagnosis can benefit from more targeted prenatal and postnatal care recommendations.
Association Between Acute Kidney Injury During Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and ICU Outcomes and Respiratory System Mechanics
Authors: Vemuri Sneha V. , Rolfsen Mark L. , Sykes Alexandra V. , Takiar Puja G. , Leonard Austin J. , Malhotra Atul , Spragg Roger G. , Macedo Etienne , Hepokoski Mark L.
Published: June 2022

OBJECTIVES:

Compare ICU outcomes and respiratory system mechanics in patients with and without acute kidney injury during invasive mechanical ventilation.

DESIGNS:

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS:

ICUs of the University of California, San Diego, from January 1, 2014, to November 30, 2016.

PATIENTS:

Five groups of patients were compared based on the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, presence or absence of acute kidney injury per the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria, and the temporal relationship between the development of acute kidney injury and initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

A total of 9,704 patients were included and 4,484 (46%) required invasive mechanical ventilation; 2,009 patients (45%) had acute kidney injury while being treated with invasive mechanical ventilation, and the mortality rate for these patients was 22.4% compared with 5% in those treated with invasive mechanical ventilation without acute kidney injury (p < 0.01). Adjusted hazard of mortality accounting for baseline disease severity was 1.58 (95% CI, 1.22–2.03; p < 0.001]. Patients with acute kidney injury during invasive mechanical ventilation had a significant increase in total ventilator days and length of ICU stay with the same comparison (both p < 0.01). Acute kidney injury during mechanical ventilation was also associated with significantly higher plateau pressures, lower respiratory system compliance, and higher driving pressures (all p < 0.01). These differences remained significant in patients with net negative cumulative fluid balance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Acute kidney injury during invasive mechanical ventilation is associated with increased ICU mortality, increased ventilator days, increased length of ICU stay, and impaired respiratory system mechanics. These results emphasize the need for investigations of ventilatory strategies in the setting of acute kidney injury, as well as mechanistic studies of crosstalk between the lung and kidney in the critically ill.
Intensive care medicine in Europe: perspectives from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
Authors: Zacharowski Kai , Filipescu Daniela , Pelosi Paolo , Åkeson Jonas , Bubenek Serban , Gregoretti Cesare , Sander Michael , de Robertis Edoardo
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Anaesthesiology represents a rapidly evolving medical specialty in global healthcare, currently covering advanced peri-operative, pre-hospital and in-hospital critical emergency management (CREM), intensive care medicine (ICM) and pain management. The aim of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) is to develop and promote a coordinated interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary European network of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (AICM) societies for improvement of patient safety and outcome, and to enhance political and public awareness of the role of anaesthesiologists all over Europe. The ESAIC promotes coordinated interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary care for severely compromised patients, based on the European training requirements (ETR) within the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).

METHODS

To define the current situation of AICM in Europe, a survey was sent in April 2019 to the ESAIC Council and the ESAIC National Anaesthesiologists Societies Committee (NASC) members. The survey posed questions regarding the year of foundation, the inclusion of ICM in the society name, and if, and to what extent, various kinds (postoperative, general, specific, mixed) of national ICUs are being run by differing medical specialties. The study data were compiled and analysed by the ESAIC Board, Council and NASC in December 2019.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Amongst the 42 European national societies surveyed (41 members of ESAIC-NASC plus Luxembourg), nineteen (45%) also include terms related to critical care medicine or ICM in their names, seven (17%) include terms related to reanimation and three (7%) to resuscitation. In recent years, several national societies revised their names to better reflect their gradual embrace of peri-operative medicine, ICM, CREM and pain management. Approximately 70% of ICU beds in Europe, and 100% in Scandinavia, are being run by anaesthesiologists, the remaining 30% being managed by physicians from other surgical or medical specialties. To emphasise future needs and resources of European AICM, the ESAIC drafted an ICM roadmap in terms of clinical practice, organisation of healthcare, interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration, patient safety, outcome and empowerment, professional working conditions, and changes in research, teaching and training required to meet future challenges and expectations.