bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedigree-based genetic dissection of quantitative loci for seed quality and yield characters in improved soybean
Authors: Huang Wenxuan , Hou Jingjing , Hu Quan , An Jie , Zhang Yanwei , Han Qi , Li Xuhui , Wu Yueying , Zhang Dajian , Wang Jianhua , Xu Ran , Li Li , Sun Lianjun
Published: February 2021

As soybean plays an indispensable role in the supply of vegetable oil and protein, balancing the relationship between seed quality and yield traits according to human demand has become an important breeding goal for soybean improvement. Here, 256 intraspecific recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from a cross between Qi Huang No.34 (QH34) and Ji Dou No.17 (JD17), were used for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping with remarkable four chemical and physical properties with a purpose for exploring the distribution of excellent alleles in germplasm resources in China. A total of 25 QTLs were detected, of which 10 QTLs inherited the alleles from the parent QH34. Pedigree research on favorable alleles on these QTLs showed the process of excellent alleles pyramided into QH34. Meta-analysis of the 25 QTLs by comparing with existed QTLs in previous study identified 17 novel QTLs. QTLs with pleiotropic effects have been detected. Furthermore, three representative elite recombinant inbred lines in different locations that have great potential in soybean breeding were selected, and finally, four seed weight-related candidate genes were identified. The discovery of these QTLs provides a new guidance for combining the diversity and rarity of germplasm resources, which can effectively increase population genetic diversity and broaden genetic basis of varieties.
Seizure outcome in temporal glioblastoma surgery: lobectomy as a supratotal resection regime outclasses conventional gross-total resection
Authors: Borger Valeri , Hamed Motaz , Ilic Inja , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Racz Attila , Schäfer Niklas , Güresir Erdem , Surges Rainer , Herrlinger Ulrich , Vatter Hartmut , Schneider Matthias , Schuss Patrick
Published: February 2021

Introduction

The postoperative seizure freedom represents an important secondary outcome measure in glioblastoma surgery. Recently, supra-total glioblastoma resection in terms of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) has gained growing attention with regard to superior long-term disease control for temporal-located glioblastoma compared to conventional gross-total resections (GTR). However, the impact of ATL on seizure outcome in these patients is unknown. We therefore analyzed ATL and GTR as differing extents of resection in regard of postoperative seizure control in patients with temporal glioblastoma and preoperative symptomatic seizures.

Methods

Between 2012 and 2018, 33 patients with preoperative seizures underwent GTR or ATL for temporal glioblastoma at the authors’ institution. Seizure outcome was assessed postoperatively and 6 months after tumor resection according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification and stratified into favorable (ILAE class 1) versus unfavorable (ILAE class 2–6).

Results

Overall, 23 out of 33 patients (70%) with preoperative seizures achieved favorable seizure outcome following resection of temporal located glioblastoma. For the ATL group, postoperative seizure freedom was present in 13 out of 13 patients (100%). In comparison, respective rates for the GTR group were 10 out of 20 patients (50%) (p = 0.002; OR 27; 95% CI 1.4–515.9).

Conclusions

ATL in terms of a supra-total resection strategy was associated with superior favorable seizure outcome following temporal glioblastoma resection compared to GTR. Regarding above mentioned survival benefit following ATL compared to GTR, ATL as an aggressive supra-total resection regime might constitute the surgical modality of choice for temporal-located glioblastoma.
Cocaine‐Specific Effects on Exosome Biogenesis in Microglial Cells
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Crenshaw Brennetta J. , Williams Sparkle D. , Bell Courtnee’ R. , Matthews Qiana L. , Sims Brian
Published: February 2021

Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant and a well-known drug, with multiple effects on physiology. Cocaine can have direct effects on all cell types in the brain, including microglia. Microglia can be activated by other conditions, such as infection, inflammation, or injury. However, how cocaine regulates microglia and the influence of cocaine on microglial-derived exosomes remains unknown. Exosomes are nanovesicles that are responsible for intercellular communications, signaling, and trafficking necessary cargo for cell homeostasis. In this study, we hypothesized that cocaine affects exosome biogenesis and composition in BV2 microglial cells. BV2 microglial cells were cultured in exosome-depleted RPMI-1640 media and were treated according to the experimental designs. We observed that cell viability decreased by 11% at 100 µM cocaine treatment but was unaffected at other concentrations. After treatments, the exosomes were isolated from the condition media. Purified exosomes were characterized and quantified using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). By NTA, there was a significant decrease in particles/mL after cocaine treatment. There was a 39.5%, 58.1%, 32.3% and 28.1% decrease in particles/mL at 100 nM, 1 μM, 10 μM and 100 μM cocaine, respectively. The characterization of exosomes and exosomal protein was performed by western/dot blot analyses. Tetraspanins CD11b, CD18 and CD63 were relatively unchanged after cocaine treatment. The heat shock proteins (Hsps), Hsp70 and Hsp90, were both significantly increased at 10 μM and 100 μM, but only hsp70 was significantly increased at 10 nM. The Rab proteins were assessed to investigate their role in cocaine-mediated exosomal decrease. Rab11 was significantly decreased at 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 μM, 10 μM and 100 μM by 15%, 28%, 25%, 38% and 22%, respectively. Rab27 was decreased at all concentrations but only significantly decreased at 100 nM, 1 μM and 100 μM cocaine by 21%, 24% and 23%, respectively. Rab35 had no significant changes noted when compared to control. Rab7 increased at all cocaine concentrations but only a significant increase in expression at 100 nM and 10 μM by 1.32-fold and 1.4-fold increase. Cocaine was found to alter exosome biogenesis and composition in BV2 microglial cells. Western and dot blot analyses verified the identities of purified exosomes, and the specific protein compositions of exosomes were found to change in the presence of cocaine. Furthermore, cocaine exposure modulated the expression of exosomal proteins, such as Hsps and Rab GTPases, suggesting the protein composition and formation of microglial-derived exosomes were regulated by cocaine.
Physiological and Pathological Ageing of Astrocytes in the Human Brain
Authors: Verkerke Marloes , Hol Elly M. , Middeldorp Jinte
Published: February 2021

Ageing is the greatest risk factor for dementia, although physiological ageing by itself does not lead to cognitive decline. In addition to ageing, APOE ε4 is genetically the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and is highly expressed in astrocytes. There are indications that human astrocytes change with age and upon expression of APOE4. As these glial cells maintain water and ion homeostasis in the brain and regulate neuronal transmission, it is likely that age- and APOE4-related changes in astrocytes have a major impact on brain functioning and play a role in age-related diseases. In this review, we will discuss the molecular and morphological changes of human astrocytes in ageing and the contribution of APOE4. We conclude this review with a discussion on technical issues, innovations, and future perspectives on how to gain more knowledge on astrocytes in the human ageing brain.
Influence of Cation Transporters (OCTs and MATEs) on the Renal and Hepatobiliary Disposition of [11C]Metoclopramide in Mice
Authors: Hernández-Lozano Irene , Mairinger Severin , Sauberer Michael , Stanek Johann , Filip Thomas , Wanek Thomas , Ciarimboli Giuliano , Tournier Nicolas , Langer Oliver
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To investigate the role of cation transporters (OCTs, MATEs) in the renal and hepatic disposition of the radiolabeled antiemetic drug [11C]metoclopramide in mice with PET.

Methods

PET was performed in wild-type mice after administration of an intravenous microdose (<1 μg) of [11C]metoclopramide without and with co-administration of either unlabeled metoclopramide (5 or 10 mg/kg) or the prototypical cation transporter inhibitors cimetidine (150 mg/kg) or sulpiride (25 mg/kg). [11C]Metoclopramide PET was also performed in wild-type and Slc22a1/2(−/−) mice. Radiolabeled metabolites were measured at 15 min after radiotracer injection and PET data were corrected for radiolabeled metabolites.

Results

[11C]Metoclopramide was highly metabolized and [11C]metoclopramide-derived radioactivity was excreted into the urine. The different investigated treatments decreased (~2.5-fold) the uptake of [11C]metoclopramide from plasma into the kidney and liver, inhibited metabolism and decreased (up to 3.8-fold) urinary excretion, which resulted in increased plasma concentrations of [11C]metoclopramide. Kidney and liver uptake were moderately (~1.3-fold) reduced in Slc22a1/2(−/−) mice.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a contribution of OCT1/2 to the kidney and liver uptake and of MATEs to the urinary excretion of [11C]metoclopramide in mice. Cation transporters may contribute, next to variability in the activity of metabolizing enzymes, to variability in metoclopramide pharmacokinetics and side effects.
Gravity, Geodesy and Fundamental Physics with BepiColombo’s MORE Investigation
Authors: Iess L. , Asmar S. W. , Cappuccio P. , Cascioli G. , De Marchi F. , di Stefano I. , Genova A. , Ashby N. , Barriot J. P. , Bender P. , Benedetto C. , Border J. S. , Budnik F. , Ciarcia S. , Damour T. , Dehant V. , Di Achille G. , Di Ruscio A. , Fienga A. , Formaro R. , Klioner S. , Konopliv A. , Lemaître A. , Longo F. , Mercolino M. , Mitri G. , Notaro V. , Olivieri A. , Paik M. , Palli A. , Schettino G. , Serra D. , Simone L. , Tommei G. , Tortora P. , Van Hoolst T. , Vokrouhlický D. , Watkins M. , Wu X. , Zannoni M.
Published: February 2021

The Mercury Orbiter Radio Science Experiment (MORE) of the ESA mission BepiColombo will provide an accurate estimation of Mercury’s gravity field and rotational state, improved tests of general relativity, and a novel deep space navigation system. The key experimental setup entails a highly stable, multi-frequency radio link in X and Ka band, enabling two-way range rate measurements of 3 micron/s at nearly all solar elongation angles. In addition, a high chip rate, pseudo-noise ranging system has already been tested at 1-2 cm accuracy. The tracking data will be used together with the measurements of the Italian Spring Accelerometer to provide a pseudo drag free environment for the data analysis. We summarize the existing literature published over the past years and report on the overall configuration of the experiment, its operations in cruise and at Mercury, and the expected scientific results.
Characteristic metabolites of Hypericum plants: their chemical structures and biological activities
Authors: Tanaka Naonobu , Kashiwada Yoshiki
Published: February 2021

Plants belonging to the genus Hypericum (Hypericaceae) are recognized as an abundant source of natural products with interesting chemical structures and intriguing biological activities. In the course of our continuing study on constituents of Hypericum plants, aiming at searching natural product-based lead compounds for therapeutic agents, we have isolated more than 100 new characteristic metabolites classified as prenylated acylphloroglucinols, meroterpenes, ketides, dibenzo-1,4-dioxane derivatives, and xanthones including prenylated xanthones, phenylxanthones, and xanthonolignoids from 11 Hypericum plants and one Triadenum plant collected in Japan, China, and Uzbekistan or cultivated in Japan. This review summarizes their chemical structures and biological activities.
Mixed reality as a novel tool for diagnostic and surgical navigation in orthopaedics
Authors: Teatini Andrea , Kumar Rahul P. , Elle Ole Jakob , Wiig Ola
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study presents a novel surgical navigation tool developed in mixed reality environment for orthopaedic surgery. Joint and skeletal deformities affect all age groups and greatly reduce the range of motion of the joints. These deformities are notoriously difficult to diagnose and to correct through surgery.

Method

We have developed a surgical tool which integrates surgical instrument tracking and augmented reality through a head mounted display. This allows the surgeon to visualise bones with the illusion of possessing “X-ray” vision. The studies presented below aim to assess the accuracy of the surgical navigation tool in tracking a location at the tip of the surgical instrument in holographic space.

Results

Results show that the average accuracy provided by the navigation tool is around 8 mm, and qualitative assessment by the orthopaedic surgeons provided positive feedback in terms of the capabilities for diagnostic use.

Conclusions

More improvements are necessary for the navigation tool to be accurate enough for surgical applications, however, this new tool has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and allow for safer and more precise surgeries, as well as provide for better learning conditions for orthopaedic surgeons in training.
Electrophysiological signatures of dedifferentiation differ between fit and less fit older adults
Authors: Goelz Christian , Mora Karin , Stroehlein Julia Kristin , Haase Franziska Katharina , Dellnitz Michael , Reinsberger Claus , Vieluf Solveig
Published: February 2021

Cardiorespiratory fitness was found to influence age-related changes of resting state brain network organization. However, the influence on dedifferentiated involvement of wider and more unspecialized brain regions during task completion is barely understood. We analyzed EEG data recorded during rest and different tasks (sensory, motor, cognitive) with dynamic mode decomposition, which accounts for topological characteristics as well as temporal dynamics of brain networks. As a main feature the dominant spatio-temporal EEG pattern was extracted in multiple frequency bands per participant. To deduce a pattern’s stability, we calculated its proportion of total variance among all activation patterns over time for each task. By comparing fit (N = 15) and less fit older adults (N = 16) characterized by their performance on a 6-min walking test, we found signs of a lower task specificity of the obtained network features for the less fit compared to the fit group. This was indicated by fewer significant differences between tasks in the theta and high beta frequency band in the less fit group. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that a significantly lower proportion of total variance can be explained by the main pattern in high beta frequency range for the less fit compared to the fit group [F(1,29) = 12.572, p = .001, partial η2 = .300]. Our results indicate that the dedifferentiation in task-related brain activation is lower in fit compared to less fit older adults. Thus, our study supports the idea that cardiorespiratory fitness influences task-related brain network organization in different task domains.
Epidemiology of hip fracture in Botswana
Authors: Kebaetse M. , Nkhwa S. , Mogodi M. , Masunge J. , Gureja Y. P. , Ramabu M. , Mmopelwa T. , Sharif I. , Orford A. , Johansson H. , Harvey N. C. , McCloskey E. V. , Cauley J. A. , Kanis J. A.
Published: February 2021

Summary

A retrospective population-based survey in the Republic of Botswana determined the incidence of fractures at the hip over 3 years. The estimated number of such fractures nationwide for 2020 was 103 and is predicted to increase.

Objective

This article describes the epidemiology of hip fractures in the Republic of Botswana.

Methods

A retrospective patient chart review was conducted to identify from hospital registers the number of patients diagnosed with hip fracture in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Age- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture was determined from which lifetime probabilities and future projections for hip fracture were calculated.

Results

The incidence of hip fracture was low and comparable to rates reported from Tunisia. The remaining lifetime risk of hip fracture at the age of 50 years in men and women was 1.4 and 1.1%, respectively. The incidence of hip fracture suggested that the estimated number of hip fractures nationwide in persons over the age of 50 years for 2020 was 103 and is predicted to increase by more than threefold to 372 in 2050.

Conclusion

The hip fracture rates can be used for healthcare planning. Additionally, these data can be used to create a FRAX model to help guide decisions about treatment.
Radical prostatectomy technique in the robotic evolution: from da Vinci standard to single port—a single surgeon pathway
Authors: Francavilla Simone , Veccia Alessandro , Dobbs Ryan W. , Zattoni Fabio , Vigneswaran Hari T. , Antonelli Alessandro , Dal Moro Fabrizio , Autorino Riccardo , Simeone Claudio , Crivellaro Simone
Published: February 2021

To describe perioperative outcomes following robot-assisted prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon during transitions between da Vinci standard/Si/Xi and the single port. Perioperative data were retrospectively evaluated of the first 40 consecutive robot-assisted radical prostatectomies performed by a single surgeon using the da Vinci standard, Si, Xi and single port. A total of 160 patients were included. We matched standard vs Si (Match 1), Si vs Xi (Match 2) and Xi vs single port (Match 3) cohort. Mann–Whitney and Fisher’s tests were used to test the difference among the groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were adopted to evaluate the predictors of overall and major complications. Single-port procedures in Match 3 showed significant shorter median operative time than Xi. Both Si and single-port groups showed significantly less median blood loss, a shorter median length of stay, respectively, than standard group in Match 1 and than Xi group in Match 3. 1 standard group patient required conversion to open surgery for an unsolvable conflict of the robotic arms. No other intraoperative complications were noted. On univariate and multivariate analyses, the da Vinci platform model was not a predicting factor of major complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3). We described how technological progress impacted peri and postoperative outcomes during transitions between robotic surgical platforms for radical prostatectomy. In particular, the technological improvements associated to the increased surgeon’s expertise made the transition to the single port safe and effective when compared with previous platforms.
Material classification in X-ray images based on multi-scale CNN
Authors: Benedykciuk Emil , Denkowski Marcin , Dmitruk Krzysztof
Published: February 2021

Security X-ray baggage scanners provide images based on the different levels of radiation absorption by different materials. Images captured by such scanners are inspected by a human operator, which can slow down the verification process. To speed up inspection time, computer vision and machine learning methods are increasingly being used. While object recognition has been the subject of a huge number of articles, the problem of material recognition in X-ray images still requires some work to achieve equivalent accuracy. This paper focuses on the problem of discrimination of materials into several classes, such as organic substances or metals, in images obtained from dual-energy X-ray security scanners. We propose a new multi-scale convolutional neural network (CNN) for predicting the material class, in which five different sizes of patches are implemented parallelly to balance the trade-off between the increase in the receptive field and the loss of detail. We analyze some regularization methods and activation functions and their impact on the effectiveness of our architecture. The results were compared with other popular CNN architectures and demonstrate the superiority of our solution.
Sleep and chronotype in relation to work-related stress and negative affect: The moderating role of a flexible start of work
Authors: Saalwirth Christina , Leipold Bernhard
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The present study investigated the relationships between sleep (sleep duration and need for additional sleep time in the morning), chronotype, work-related stress, and negative affect in daytime workers. Furthermore, it was examined whether a flexible start of work moderates these relationships.

Methods

A cross-sectional online study was conducted. Participants were 438 (247 female) daytime workers between 18 and 73 years (mean = 37.68, standard deviation = 12.39). The questionnaire included the “sleep duration” subscale of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), two subscales of the Trier Inventory for the Assessment of Chronic Stress (TICS), the negative affect scale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), questions regarding how many minutes participants would like to sleep longer in the morning, and how flexible their start of work is.

Results

Short sleep duration and a greater need for additional sleep in the morning were significantly associated with late chronotype. Shorter sleep duration, a greater need for additional sleep, and a late chronotype were associated with higher work-related stress and negative affect. A flexible start of work moderated these relationships: People with longer sleep duration, less need for additional sleep time, and an early chronotype showed lower stress and negative affect levels when having a flexible start of work. A flexible start of work showed no or negative effects on workers with shorter sleep duration, a greater need for additional sleep time, or a late chronotype.

Conclusions

The effect of a flexible start of work for daytime worker’s well-being depends on a person’s individual sleep timing and chronotype.
How does hepatic lipid accumulation lead to lipotoxicity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Authors: Geng Yana , Faber Klaas Nico , de Meijer Vincent E. , Blokzijl Hans , Moshage Han
Published: February 2021

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized as excess lipid accumulation in the liver which is not due to alcohol use, has emerged as one of the major health problems around the world. The dysregulated lipid metabolism creates a lipotoxic environment which promotes the development of NAFLD, especially the progression from simple steatosis (NAFL) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Purposeand Aim

This review focuses on the mechanisms of lipid accumulation in the liver, with an emphasis on the metabolic fate of free fatty acids (FFAs) in NAFLD and presents an update on the relevant cellular processes/mechanisms that are involved in lipotoxicity. The changes in the levels of various lipid species that result from the imbalance between lipolysis/lipid uptake/lipogenesis and lipid oxidation/secretion can cause organellar dysfunction, e.g. ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, lysosomal dysfunction, JNK activation, secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and aggravate (or be exacerbated by) hypoxia which ultimately lead to cell death. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of how abnormal lipid metabolism leads to lipotoxicity and the cellular mechanisms of lipotoxicity in the context of NAFLD.
Consensus of the Spanish society of laboratory medicine and the Spanish society of medical oncology on the methodology and criteria for evaluation of circulating tumour markers in breast cancer
Authors: Ayala de la Peña F. , Ortiz-Muñoz B. , Quintanar-Verdúguez T. , Santotoribio J. D. , de la Cruz S. , Trapé-Pujol J. , Galve-Calvo E. , Augé-Fradera J. M. , García-Gómez J. , González-Hernández Á.
Published: February 2021

The measurement of circulating tumour markers (TMs) for the diagnosis or monitoring of breast cancer has sometimes been considered of limited utility. In addition to the overinterpretation of irrelevant changes in marker levels, the characteristics of the patient, the disease or other pathologies that can modify them are often not considered in their evaluation. On the other hand, there are recent data on the relationship of TMs with molecular subtypes and on their prognostic value, the knowledge of which may improve their clinical utility. This consensus article arises from a collaboration between the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML) and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). It aims to improve the use and interpretation of circulating TMs in breast cancer. The text summarizes the current knowledge and available evidence on the subject and proposes a series of recommendations mainly focussed on the indication, the frequency of testing and the factors that should be considered for correctly interpreting changes in the levels of TMs.
Strong external difference families in abelian and non-abelian groups
Authors: Huczynska Sophie , Jefferson Christopher , Nepšinská Silvia
Published: February 2021

Strong external difference families (SEDFs) have applications to cryptography and are rich combinatorial structures in their own right. We extend the definition of SEDF from abelian groups to all finite groups, and introduce the concept of equivalence. We prove new recursive constructions for SEDFs and generalized SEDFs (GSEDFs) in cyclic groups, and present the first family of non-abelian SEDFs. We prove there exist at least two non-equivalent (k2 + 1,2,k,1)-SEDFs for every k > 2, and begin the task of enumerating SEDFs, via a computational approach which yields complete results for all groups up to order 24.
Countertransference towards suicidal patients: a systematic review
Authors: Michaud Laurent , Greenway Kyle T. , Corbeil Sylvie , Bourquin Céline , Richard-Devantoy Stéphane
Published: February 2021

Countertransference towards suicidal patients may blur healthcare professionals’ clinical judgment and lead to suboptimal decision-making. We conducted a systematic review of the quantitative studies on this topic. Following PRISMA guidelines, various databases were searched for studies measuring countertransference in healthcare professionals treating suicidal patients. Two authors independently performed screening and the quality of included studies was formally assessed. Ten studies were identified (3/5/2 of low/intermediate/high quality, respectively). Cross-sectional studies showed evidence for specific and adverse countertransference (e.g., disinterest, anxiety, overwhelming, rejection, helplessness or distress) towards suicidal patients. Furthermore, countertransference was prospectively associated with suicidal behavior and ideation in studies that explored this issue, but the meaning of this association remains to be clarified. Healthcare professionals’ characteristics (e.g. professional background, gender, personality traits) influenced countertransference. Suicidal patients elicit adverse countertransference, which should be addressed in clinical practice and through dedicated training.
Promoting Student Teachers’ Self-Regulated Learning in the Workplace
Authors: Vrieling-Teunter Emmy , Stijnen Sjef , Bastiaens Theo
Published: February 2021

This quasi-experimental study of self-regulated learning (SRL) in the context of primary teacher education emerged from the importance attributed to SRL for developing student teachers’ active and conscious learning. Contrary to earlier studies that focused on SRL within the initial teacher training, in this study we sought for the impact of increased SRL opportunities on student teachers’ motivation for learning in their workplace which is an important part of their educational program. The study focused on the way in which SRL opportunities for student teachers can be shaped in the workplace (research question one), the differences in perceived SRL opportunities between the experimental and the control condition (research question two) and the differences in motivation for learning between the experimental and the control condition (research question three). In answer to research question one, the earlier findings of SRL within the initial teacher program were combined with the insights and experiences of the stakeholders in practice. This resulted in a SRL approach for the workplace that was applied during one academic year by 12 primary teacher educators in cooperation with 45 primary teachers of 45 training schools. In answer to research question two, the training appeared effective because student teachers in training schools (N = 80) experienced more SRL opportunities than student teachers in the non-training schools (N = 51). In answer to research question three, student teachers in training schools demonstrated more motivational expectancy (i.e. control belief and self-efficacy for learning) compared with student teachers in non-training schools. This was in line with previous findings within initial teacher training. The importance of a gradual transition from teacher control to student control appeared vital.
A note on the asymptotics for incomplete Betafunctions
Authors: Schlage-Puchta Jan-Christoph
Published: February 2021

We determine the asymptotic behaviour of certain incomplete Betafunctions.
Polymodal Functionality of C. elegans OLL Neurons in Mechanosensation and Thermosensation
Authors: Fan Yuedan , Zou Wenjuan , Liu Jia , Al-Sheikh Umar , Cheng Hankui , Duan Duo , Du Chen  , Liu Siyan , Chen Luyi , Xu Jilei , Ruhomutally Firdosh , Kang Lijun
Published: February 2021

Sensory modalities are important for survival but the molecular mechanisms remain challenging due to the polymodal functionality of sensory neurons. Here, we report the C. elegans outer labial lateral (OLL) sensilla sensory neurons respond to touch and cold. Mechanosensation of OLL neurons resulted in cell-autonomous mechanically-evoked Ca2+ transients and rapidly-adapting mechanoreceptor currents with a very short latency. Mechanotransduction of OLL neurons might be carried by a novel Na+ conductance channel, which is insensitive to amiloride. The bona fide mechano-gated Na+-selective degenerin/epithelial Na+ channels, TRP-4, TMC, and Piezo proteins are not involved in this mechanosensation. Interestingly, OLL neurons also mediated cold but not warm responses in a cell-autonomous manner. We further showed that the cold response of OLL neurons is not mediated by the cold receptor TRPA-1 or the temperature-sensitive glutamate receptor GLR-3. Thus, we propose the polymodal functionality of OLL neurons in mechanosensation and cold sensation.
Mapping the production-consumption gap of an urban food system: an empirical case study of food security and resilience
Authors: Jensen Paul D. , Orfila Caroline
Published: February 2021

Urban food systems are complex and increasingly recognised as not being sustainable, equitable or resilient. Though globalisation and lengthening of agrifood supply chains has brought many benefits, such as year-long availability of fresh produce and modernisation opportunities for some developing regions, they have increased reliance on food imports and reduced the food and nutrition resilience of many cities. This premise has been widely witnessed following recent financial, climatic and pandemic driven disruptions to food supplies. A greater understanding is thus needed of the lived reality of a modern city’s ability to sustainably and equitably feed itself in a crisis situation or otherwise. In a changing world, such knowledge is valuable on a variety of strategic planning levels. Employing publically available data, the scale of food security and resilience, and options for their improvement, are holistically assessed through a case study spatial analysis of the urban food system of the city of Leeds in the United Kingdom. The case study found that the Leeds city region is home to a significant and diverse food production and provision system, but it is not food secure in terms of providing sufficient energy or macronutrients, or functioning in an equitable manner for all of its residents. Options for improving the performance of the system, including urban farming and industrial symbiosis, were found to be nuanced and would only be effective alongside a range of complimentary interventions as well as high levels of investment, multi-sector cooperation and strong governance. Though food system evolution and development are grounded in local context, the methods, general findings and circular economy focussed recommendations emanating from the case study, are widely applicable.
The influence of muscle, ageing and thermal treatment method on the quality of cooked beef
Authors: Modzelewska-Kapituła Monika , Tkacz Katarzyna , Nogalski Zenon
Published: February 2021

The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of muscle, thermal treatment, and ageing on the beef quality. The longissimus lumborum (LL) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles were taken from Holstein–Friesian young bull carcasses then subjected to steam-cooking and sous-vide after 9 and 14-d wet ageing. It was shown that characteristics of cooked beef were the most significantly affected by thermal treatment method. Using sous-vide provided beef with lower shear force and cooking loss values, darker, and more red colour and more beneficial sensory quality. LL and SM muscles showed a similar quality when subjected to the same thermal treatment method after the same ageing time. It is possible to obtain juicy and tender beef from Holstein–Friesian bulls after 9-d ageing and sous-vide treatment.
Reduced fertility caused by meiotic defects and micronuclei formation during microsporogenesis in xBrassicoraphanus
Authors: Shin Hosub , Park Hye Rang , Park Jeong Eun , Yu Seung Hwa , Yi Gibum , Kim Jung Hyo , Koh Wonjun , Kim Hyun Hee , Lee Soo-Seong , Huh Jin Hoe
Published: February 2021

Background

Hybridization and polyploidization events are important driving forces in plant evolution. Allopolyploids formed between different species can be naturally or artificially created but often suffer from genetic instability and infertility in successive generations. xBrassicoraphanus is an intergeneric allopolyploid obtained from a cross between Brassica rapa and Raphanus sativus, providing a useful resource for genetic and genomic study in hybrid species.

Objective

The current study aims to understand the cause of hybrid sterility and pollen abnormality in different lines of synthetic xBrassicoraphanus from the cytogenetic perspective.

Methods

Alexander staining was used to assess the pollen viability. Cytogenetic analysis was employed to monitor meiotic chromosome behaviors in pollen mother cells (PMCs). Origins of parental chromosomes in xBrassicoraphanus meiocytes were determined by genome in situ hybridization analysis.

Results

The xBrassicoraphanus lines BB#4 and BB#6 showed high rates of seed abortion and pollen deformation. Abnormal chromosome behaviors were observed in their PMCs, frequently forming univalents and inter-chromosomal bridges during meiosis. A positive correlation also exists between meiotic defects and the formation of micronuclei, which is conceivably responsible for unbalanced gamete production and pollen sterility.

Conclusion

These results suggest that unequal segregation of meiotic chromosomes, due in part to non-homologous interactions, is responsible for micronuclei and unbalanced gamete formation, eventually leading to pollen degeneration and inferior fertility in unstable xBrassicoraphanus lines.
Marine spatial planning: Coordinating divergent marine interests
Authors: Grip Kjell , Blomqvist Sven
Published: February 2021

Globally, ecosystem-based marine spatial planning has become a useful instrument to coordinate the planning of different authorities. This, for balancing different requirements when managing marine areas and space. In the planning process, ecology is setting limits to which human activities are acceptable to the society. The use of the marine environment can be planned similarly as the land environment. We argue that there are several aspects which must be taken into consideration. Marine activities have traditionally been planned and managed in a sectoral way. Today, it has become obvious that a more holistic, multi-sectoral and coordinated approach is needed in future successful marine planning and management. The increased awareness of the importance of the oceans and seas challenges the traditional sector division and geographical limits in marine policy and calls for better coordinated and coherent marine policies.
Declining bacteria, lead, and sulphate, and rising pH and oxygen in the lower Mississippi River
Authors: Turner R. Eugene
Published: February 2021

Various air and water pollution issues in the US were confronted in the last 60 years using national policy legislation, notably the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. I examine changes in the concentrations of bacteria, oxygen, lead, and sulphate at the terminus of the Mississippi River before and after these pollution abatement efforts. Microbial concentrations increased or were stable from 1909 to 1980 but decreased about 3 orders of magnitude after the 1970s, while the average oxygen content increased. A large decline in lead concentration occurred after the 1960s, along with a less dramatic decline in sulphate concentrations. The pH of the river dropped to a low of 5.8 in 1965 as sulfur dioxide emissions peaked and averaged 8.2 in 2019 after emissions declined. Decades of efforts at a national scale created water quality improvements and are an example for addressing new and existing water quality challenges.
Calciphylaxis in end-stage kidney disease: outcome data from the United Kingdom Calciphylaxis Study
Authors: Chinnadurai Rajkumar , Huckle Abby , Hegarty Janet , Kalra Philip A , Sinha Smeeta
Published: February 2021

Background and aims

Calciphylaxis is a rare condition associated with very high mortality in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Data from country-based registries have been an invaluable resource for a better understanding of the natural history and management for this condition. This study aimed to investigate the current management strategies and outcomes of patients enrolled in the United Kingdom Calciphylaxis study (UKCS).

Methods

The study was conducted on 89 patients registered in the UKCS since 2012. The initial analysis included a description of the baseline characteristics, management strategies and outcomes on follow-up until May 2020. Further analysis included a comparison of the mortality outcome of the UKCS patients who were receiving haemodialysis with a propensity score matched cohort of haemodialysis patients from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Standards Implementation Study- Haemodialysis (CRISIS-HD).

Results

Median age of the cohort was 59 years, with a predominance of females (61%) and Caucasian (95%) ethnicity. About 54% of the patients were diabetic and 70% were receiving haemodialysis at study entry. The skin lesions were mostly distributed in the lower extremities (48%). Sodium thiosulphate and calcimimetic were the most widely used management strategies. The mortality rate was 72 deaths per hundred patient-years (50 deaths observed in 69.5 patient years). Complete wound healing was noted in 17% and bacteraemia was reported in 26% of patients. In a comparative analysis of the matched haemodialysis patients, the presence of calciphylaxis in 62 patients showed a strong association with all-cause mortality (HR 6.96; p < 0.001), with annual mortality 67% versus 10.2% in haemodialysis patients without calciphylaxis.

Conclusions

This UK wide study strengthens the evidence that calciphylaxis is a strong and independent risk factor associated with all-cause mortality; no significant benefit was shown with any individual treatment modality. Until further evidence becomes available, a multifaceted approach would be the appropriate treatment strategy in the management of this extremely serious condition.

Graphic abstract
Virtual straightening of scraper conveyor based on the position and attitude solution of industrial robot model
Authors: Li Suhua , Xie Jiacheng , Ren Fang , Zhang Xin , Wang Xuewen , Wang Binbin
Published: February 2021

The movement of the floating connecting mechanism between a hydraulic support and scraper conveyor is space movement; thus, when the hydraulic support pushes the scraper conveyor, there is an error between the actual distance of the scraper conveyor and the theoretical moving distance. As a result, the scraper conveyor cannot obtain the straightness requirement. Therefore, the movement law of the floating connecting mechanism between the hydraulic support and scraper conveyor is analyzed and programmed into the Unity3D to realize accurate pushing of the scraper conveyor via hydraulic support. The Coal Seam + Equipment Joint Virtual Straightening System is established, and a straightening method based on the motion law of a floating connection is proposed as the default method of the system. In addition, a straightening simulation of the scraper conveyor was performed on a complex coal seam floor, the results demonstrate that the average straightening error of the scraper conveyor is within 2–8 mm, and is in direct proportion to the fluctuation of the coal seam floor in the strike of the seam with high accuracy, the straightness of scraper conveyor is more affected by the subsidence terrain during straightening than by the bulge terrain. And some conclusions are verified by experiment. Based on the verification of the relevant conclusions, a comparison and analysis of Longwall Automation Steering Committee (LASC) straightening technology and default straightening method in the simulation system shows that the straightness accuracy of LASC straightening technology under complex floor conditions is slightly less than that of the default straightening method in the proposed system.
A SAM-Based Analysis of the Economic Impact of Frauds in the Italian Wine Value Chain
Authors: Romano Donato , Rocchi Benedetto , Sadiddin Ahmad , Stefani Gianluca , Zucaro Raffaella , Manganiello Veronica
Published: February 2021

The objective of this paper is twofold: firstly, it analyzes the evolution of frauds in the Italian wine value chain over the period 2007–2015, and then, using a properly disaggregated social accounting matrix (SAM) of the Italian economy, it simulates the impact of wine frauds on the national economy in terms of growth, employment, value added and income. The wine industry is the sector most exposed to frauds within the Italian agro-food system accounting for 88% of total value of seized agro-food outputs. Most irregularities (95%) are made by only three agents, specifically individual wineries, bottlers-wholesalers and retailers. We estimated industry-specific SAM multipliers to assess the share of the Italian economy depending on irregular wine production. These activities account for 11.5% of specialized permanent crop farms output and over 25% of wine industry output. This is a sign of vulnerability of the wine industry: should a food scandal/scare determine a drop in consumers’ demand, the negative effect on production activities of these sectors may be large. The SAM was also used to perform an impact analysis adopting a counterfactual approach. Results show a slightly positive increase of value added (6 million euro) along with an overall decrease in the activity level (an output loss of 406 million euro and more than six thousand full time jobs lost). This contractionary effect can be explained with fraud rents. Indeed, the extra-profits from frauds do not activate the economy circular flow as most of them leak out to exogenous accounts such as the public administration and the rest of the world.
Detecting malicious accounts in permissionless blockchains using temporal graph properties
Authors: Agarwal Rachit , Barve Shikhar , Shukla Sandeep Kumar
Published: February 2021

Directed Graph based models of a blockchain that capture accounts as nodes and transactions as edges, evolve over time. This temporal nature of a blockchain model enables us to understand the behavior (malicious or benign) of the accounts. Predictive classification of accounts as malicious or benign could help users of the permissionless blockchain platforms to operate in a secure manner. Motivated by this, we introduce temporal features such as burst and attractiveness on top of several already used graph properties such as the node degree and clustering coefficient. Using identified features, we train various Machine Learning (ML) models and identify the algorithm that performs the best in detecting malicious accounts. We then study the behavior of the accounts over different temporal granularities of the dataset before assigning them malicious tags. For the Ethereum blockchain, we identify that for the entire dataset—the ExtraTreesClassifier performs the best among supervised ML algorithms. On the other hand, using cosine similarity on top of the results provided by unsupervised ML algorithms such as K-Means on the entire dataset, we were able to detect 554 more suspicious accounts. Further, using behavior change analysis for accounts, we identify 814 unique suspicious accounts across different temporal granularities.
Investigating the impact of the velocity of a vehicle with a nonlinear suspension system on the dynamic behavior of a Bernoulli–Euler bridge
Authors: Shafiei Babak
Published: February 2021

Several authors, utilizing both experimental tests and complicated numerical models, have investigated vehicle speed's impact on a highway bridge's dynamic amplification. Although these tests and models provide reliable quantitative data on frequency contents of the interaction between the two subsystems, engineers should pay further notice to the effects of a subsystem's velocity and the type of suspension system of a vehicle moving over a structure. Hence, in this paper, the dynamic response of a bridge to a moving vehicle is considered. The car is assumed as a quarter car model with both linear and nonlinear stiffness and damping constants. Further, using the modal superposition method, a closed-form solution is obtained for the bridge's vertical response. The results obtained via numerical calculation show a significant increase in the bridge midpoint and total deflection, velocity, and acceleration by increasing the vehicle velocity. Moreover, by neglecting the nonlinear stiffness and damping coefficients of the vehicle suspension system, the bridge's dynamic response remains almost the same with respect to the numerical data. As a general conclusion, it can be claimed that the only significant parameters which can change the dynamic behavior of a bridge subjected to a moving vehicle are the speed of the car and its linear stiffness and damping constants inside its suspension system.