bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytosolic proline is required for basal freezing tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hoermiller Imke I. , Funck Dietmar , Schönewolf Lilli , May Henrik , Heyer Arnd G.
Published: October 2021

The amino acid proline accumulates in many plant species under abiotic stress conditions, and various protective functions have been proposed. During cold stress, however, proline content in Arabidopsis thaliana does not correlate with freezing tolerance. Freezing sensitivity of a starchless plastidic phosphoglucomutase mutant (pgm) indicated that localization of proline in the cytosol might stabilize the plasma membrane during freeze–thaw events. Here, we show that re‐allocation of proline from cytosol to vacuole was similar in the pyrroline‐5‐carboxylate synthase 2–1 (p5cs2–1) mutant and the pgm mutant and caused similar reduction of basal freezing tolerance. In contrast, the starch excess 1–1 mutant (sex1‐1) had even lower freezing tolerance than pgm but did not affect sub‐cellular localization of proline. Freezing sensitivity of sex1‐1 mutants affected primarily the photosynthetic electron transport and was enhanced in a sex1‐1::p5cs2–1 double mutant. These findings indicate that several independent factors determine basal freezing tolerance. In a pgm::p5cs2–1 double mutant, freezing sensitivity and proline allocation to the vacuole were the same as in the parental lines, indicating that the lack of cytosolic proline was the common cause of reduced basal freezing tolerance in both mutants. We conclude that cytosolic proline is an important factor in freezing tolerance of non‐acclimated plants.
Eating behaviors and alexithymic features of obese and overweight adolescents
Authors: Koyuncu Zehra , Kadak Muhammed Tayyib , Tarakçıoğlu Mahmut Cem , Bingöl Çağlayan Rahime Hülya , Doğangün Burak , Ercan Oya
Published: October 2021

Background

In this study, eating behaviors and alexithymia levels in obese adolescents were investigated. Relationships between alexithymia, eating behavior and insulin resistance were studied.

Methods

The patient group consisted of 87 obese adolescents or overweight adolescents (O + OW). The comparison group consisted of 101 normal weight adolescents (N). Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale–Child Version, are used for assessing adolescents. The homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance was calculated to determine insulin resistance.

Results

Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children scores were significantly higher in O + OW than N (P = 0.009). Both emotional and restrained eating scores are higher in O + OW (P < 0.001 for both). On the other hand, external eating scores were not significantly different. In O + OW, external eating was positively associated with homeostasis model assessment‐estimated insulin resistance (r: 035, P = 0.006), but is not associated with fasting blood glucose and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (r: −0.05, P = 0.62; r: −0.05, P = 0.73). Regression analysis showed that restrained and emotional eating were predictors of O + OW (B: 0.1, P < 0.001; B: 0.06, P = 0.001). Emotional eating was positively correlated with the Alexithymia Questionnaire for Children and Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale–Child Version in O + OW (r: 0.29, P = 0.008; r: 0.48, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Obese and overweight adolescents were more alexithymic than normal weight adolescents. Alexithymia scores were also positively associated with emotional eating. On the other hand, alexithymia was not a predictor of obesity/overweight. Restrained and emotional eating were predictors of obesity/overweight. Emotional and restrained eating were more common in obese and overweight adolescents than normal‐weight adolescents. External eating is not significantly associated with obesity but is related to insulin resistance.
Deciding for Others: An Expressivist Theory of Normative Judgment
Authors: Ayars Alisabeth
Published: October 2021

This paper develops a new form of metaethical expressivism according to which the normative judgment that X should Φ consists in a decision that X Φ. When the judgment is first‐personal—e.g., my judgment thatIshould Φ—the view is similar to Gibbard’s plan expressivism, though the state I call “decision” differs somewhat from a Gibbard‐style plan. The deep difference between the views shows in the account of third‐personal judgments. Gibbard construes the judgment that Mary should Φ as a de se plan on the thinker’s part to Φ if she turns out to be Mary (the Subtle View). I construe the judgment as a decision for Marythat Mary Φ(the Simple View). The main argument for Simple Plan Expressivism is that it solves problems for Gibbard’s approach, resonates with a new and interesting moral psychology, and better makes sense of certain independently plausible constraints on normative judgment. In the end I argue that this account of normative judgment has implications for first‐order ethics, implying in particular that rational egoism as standardly formulated is incoherent.
I Think, Therefore I Act: The Influence of Critical Reasoning Ability on Trust and Behavior During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Cohen Alex Segrè , Lutzke Lauren , Otten Caitlin Drummond , Árvai Joseph
Published: October 2021

Actively open‐minded thinking (AOT) operates in three dimensions: it serves as a norm accounting for how one should search for and use information in judgment and decision making; it is a thinking style that one may adopt in accordance with the norm; and it sets standards for evaluating the thinking of others, particularly the trustworthiness of sources that claim authority. With the first and third dimensions in mind, we explore how AOT influences trust in public health experts, risk perceptions, and compliance with recommended behaviors aimed at slowing the spread and severity of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Using survey data from a nationally representative sample of Americans (N = 857), we tested whether AOT will lead people to place greater trust public health experts (H1). Because these experts have been consistently messaging that COVID‐19 is a real and serious threat to public health, we also hypothesized that trust in experts would be positively associated with high perceived risk (H2), which should have a positive influence on (self‐reported) compliance with CDC recommendations (H3). And because AOT is a self‐directed thinking style, we also expected it to directly influence risk perceptions and, by extension, compliance (H4). Our results support all four hypotheses. We discuss the implications of these results for how risk communication and risk management efforts are designed and practiced.
Genomic full‐length sequence of the HLA‐B*52:23 allele was identified by full length group‐specific sequencing
Authors: Feng Zhihui , Jiao Shuxian , Hu Bin , Pang Shutao
Published: October 2021

Genomic full‐length sequence of HLA‐B*52:23 was identified by a group‐specific sequencing approach in a Chinese individual.
Study Of Genetic Diversity And Resistance Of Fruit Crops To Main Pathogens Using DNA Markers
Authors: Abdullaev A. , Abdurakhimov A. , Rejapova M.
Published: October 2021

Breeding modern varieties of fruit crops requires the study of their biodiversity as a source of genes for useful traits, with the aim of transferring them to genome of commercial varieties. Application of genomic technologies can significantly speed up the breeding process. Identification and application of DNA markers for the study of genetic diversity, varietal identification, as well as the transfer of genes of valuable economic traits through marker assisted selection programs is of great applied importance. The article discusses the results of studies to identify genes and DNA markers associated with resistance of some fruit crops to major diseases.
Obtaining Multiprotein Antigens Of Brucella And Study Of Their Immunoreactivity
Authors: Ingirbai B.K. , Syzdykova A. , Kurmasheva A.K. , Bulashev A.K.
Published: October 2021

Rose-Bengal test, complement fixation test and the agglutination test are mainly used for the diagnosis of animal brucellosis. These tests are characterized by low sensitivity and specificity, which is one of the main reasons for the low effectiveness of measures aimed at eradicating brucellosis. The use of modern highly sensitive serological tests requires the availability of antigens specific to Brucella spp. The aim of the study was to obtain multiproteins of the pathogen by recombinant DNA technology and to study their antigenic properties. In the course of the study, three types of multiproteins were obtained, constructed from diagnostically important peptides that form B.abortus and B.melitensis outer membrane proteins. All target products were synthesized by the producer strain in a form that is authentic to natural proteins, and showed immunogenicity in mouse model. Antibodies produced against the multiproteins were specific for the single proteins of the pathogen's cell wall. The data obtained indicate the need to continue studies to determine the possibility of using multiproteins as an antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect anti-Brucella specific antibodies.
Optimization of Conditions for The Multiplex PCR for Diagnostics of Horse Strangles with Subspecies Differentiation of Streptococcus Equi Subsp Equi
Authors: Berdimuratova K.T. , Makhamed R. , Shevtsov A.B.
Published: October 2021

As a result of the work performed, the conditions for setting up multiplex PCR with electrophoretic detection for the diagnosis of horse strangles were determined, allowing the identification and differentiation of S. equi subsp. equi in one reaction. It was found that the developed PCR protocol for the detection and species differentiation of S. equi subsp. equi with electrophoretic detection in a “multiplex” format has a high specificity and does not lead to amplification of PCR products with DNA of closely related microorganisms, saprophytic microflora, and bacterial pathogens. The sensitivity of the protocols for the detection and species differentiation of S. equi subsp. equi with electrophoretic detection was assessed. Diluted DNA samples of two S. equi subspecies were used as objects of research: S. equi subsp. equi and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus. DNA samples were diluted by two-fold dilutions, starting from a concentration of 5 ng (which corresponds to 2 million 170 thousand copies in the genomic equivalent) to 1.19 * 10-6 ng (which corresponds to 0.71 copies in the genomic equivalent). DNA detection limit for S. equi subsp. equi was 66 copies in genomic equivalent or 152 fg, DNA of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus – 132 copies in genomic equivalent or 305 fg.
Improved accuracy for radiation damping in coupled finite element/equivalent source computations
Authors: Fahnline John B.
Published: October 2021

In coupled structural-acoustic computations, radiation damping is due to the resistive component of the surface pressure created by structural vibrations. Equivalent sources using tripole sources as basis functions can be used to compute the surface pressure forces for exterior radiation problems. This technique is similar to the Burton and Miller method for eliminating numerical difficulties due to interior acoustic resonances in boundary element computations and has been proven to yield unique solutions. However, numerical computations presented here will show that for the specific equivalent source formulation under investigation, tripole sources overpredict the resistive component of the surface impedance, especially in the mid-to-high frequency range. It will also be shown that for frequency domain calculations, an accurate representation for the resistive component of the pressure forces can be derived from an analytical representation for the source radiation resistance. Unfortunately, this technique is not applicable to time domain computations. It is also shown that more accurate results can be obtained by allowing both the simple and dipole source amplitudes to be independent variables and enforcing boundary conditions in both the exterior and interior directions simultaneously to reduce the magnitude of the interior acoustic field.
Automated partial differential equation identification
Authors: Liu Ruixian , Bianco Michael J. , Gerstoft Peter
Published: October 2021

Inspired by recent developments in data-driven methods for partial differential equation (PDE) estimation, we use sparse modeling techniques to automatically estimate PDEs from data. A dictionary consisting of hypothetical PDE terms is constructed using numerical differentiation. Given data, PDE terms are selected assuming a parsimonious representation, which is enforced using a sparsity constraint. Unlike previous PDE identification schemes, we make no assumptions about which PDE terms are responsible for a given field. The approach is demonstrated on synthetic and real video data, with physical phenomena governed by wave, Burgers, and Helmholtz equations. Codes are available at https://github.com/NoiseLab-RLiu/Automate-PDE-identification.
Marvelous Machines Made of Meat
Authors: Swartz Sharon
Published: October 2021

Prime Mover
A Natural History of Muscle. Steven Vogel. Norton, New York, 2002. 384 pp. $25.95, C$37.99, £19.95. ISBN 0-393-02126-2.

Through discussions of the way muscle works, how hard it can work, and how different animals use it. Vogel explores what muscle physiology reveals about human prehistory, history, and culture.
Population Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Model of Oxfendazole in Healthy Adults in a Multiple Ascending Dose and Food Effect Study and Target Attainment Analysis
Authors: Bach Thanh , Deye Gregory A. , Codd Ellen E. , Horton John , Winokur Patricia , An Guohua
Published: October 2021

Oxfendazole is a potent veterinary antiparasitic drug undergoing development for human use to treat multiple parasitic infections. Results from two recently completed phase I clinical trials conducted in healthy adults showed that the pharmacokinetics of oxfendazole is nonlinear, affected by food, and, after the administration of repeated doses, appeared to mildly affect hemoglobin concentrations.
Isolation of Group A Streptococci with Reduced
In Vitro
β-Lactam Susceptibility Harboring Amino Acid Substitutions in Penicillin-Binding Proteins in Japan
Authors: Ikeda Tsubasa , Suzuki Rihito , Jin Wanchun , Wachino Jun-ichi , Arakawa Yoshichika , Kimura Kouji
Published: October 2021

Streptococcus pyogenes
(group A
Streptococcus
[GAS]) has long been regarded as being susceptible to β-lactams. However, amino acid substitutions in penicillin-binding protein 2X (PBP2X) conferring reduced
in vitro
β-lactam susceptibility have been indicated since 2019 in the United States and Iceland.
The Sensor Histidine Kinase ArlS Is Necessary for Staphylococcus aureus To Activate ArlR in Response to Nutrient Availability
Authors: Párraga Solórzano Paola K. , Shupe Angela C. , Kehl-Fie Thomas E.
Published: October 2021

The ability of pathogens, including
Staphylococcus aureus
, to sense and adapt to diverse environments partially relies on two-component systems, such as ArlRS. Recent work revealed that the response regulator ArlR can be cross-activated by the sensor histidine kinase GraS, rendering the role of its cognate partner, ArlS, in response to manganese and glucose limitation uncertain.
Heme-Dependent Siderophore Utilization Promotes Iron-Restricted Growth of the Staphylococcus aureus
hemB
Small-Colony Variant
Authors: Batko Izabela Z. , Flannagan Ronald S. , Guariglia-Oropeza Veronica , Sheldon Jessica R. , Heinrichs David E.
Published: October 2021

S. aureus
small-colony variants (SCVs) are associated with chronic recurrent infection and worsened clinical outcome. SCVs persist within the host despite administration of antibiotics.
Bovine Milk Microbiota: Comparison among Three Different DNA Extraction Protocols To Identify a Better Approach for Bacterial Analysis
Authors: Cremonesi Paola , Severgnini Marco , Romanò Alicia , Sala Lorenza , Luini Mario , Castiglioni Bianca
Published: October 2021

The advance of high-throughput technologies has increased our knowledge of the world of microorganisms, especially of microbial populations inhabiting living animals. This study provides evidence that milk, as other complex sources, could be critical for generating high-quality DNA for microbiota analysis.
Response of Bacteria to Mechanical Stimuli
Authors: Evstigneeva S. S. , Telesheva E. M. , Mokeev D. I. , Borisov I. V. , Petrova L. P. , Shelud’ko A. V.
Published: October 2021

Abstract—

Bacteria adapt rapidly to changes in ambient conditions, constantly inspecting their surroundings by means of their sensor systems. These systems are often thought to respond only to signals of a chemical nature. Yet, bacteria are often affected by mechanical forces, e.g., during transition from planktonic to sessile state. Mechanical stimuli, however, have seldom been considered as the signals bacteria can sense and respond to. Nonetheless, bacteria perceive mechanical stimuli, generate signals, and develop responses. This review analyzes the information on the way bacteria respond to mechanical stimuli and outlines how bacteria convert incoming signals into appropriate responses.
Busy can be happy: ‘Cake Thursday’ as a team bonding exercise
Authors: Sullivan Elizabeth , Green Lucy , Ewer Andrew K , Crombie Katherine , Rasiah Shree Vishna , Singh Anju
Published: October 2021

Implementation of ‘Cake Thursday’ as a team bonding and morale-boosting exercise.
Painless spontaneous haemoperitoneum secondary to a uterine leiomyoma/fibroid: unusual presentation of a life-threatening differential
Authors: Maduanusi Chiamaka , Balachandran Sathiyaa , Sathiyathasan Sahathevan , Omar Kazal
Published: October 2021

This is a case of a 47-year-old woman with a spontaneous haemoperitoneum secondary to uterine leiomyomas (fibroids), an important differential diagnosis in patients with uterine fibroids and hypovolaemic shock. Uterine fibroids are very common in women of reproductive age, yet little is taught about their potential to cause hypovolaemic shock. Although it is a rare complication, given the prevalence of fibroids, it is important to bear this life-threatening differential in mind to optimise the care for these women. Presentation typically involves abdominal pain, syncope, haemodynamic instability and an intra-abdominal mass. CT of the abdomen and pelvis can be helpful in identifying the source of the haemoperitoneum, but should not delay surgery, which is the definitive management.
Differences in characteristics, aetiologies, isolated pathogens, and the efficacy of antibiotics in adult patients with preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis between 2000–2009 and 2010–2019
Authors: Shih En-Jie , Chen Jui-Kuang , Tsai Pei-Jhen , Bee Youn-Shen
Published: October 2021

Background/aims

To understand whether the epidemiology, aetiologies, common pathogens and the antibiotic efficacy against the identified bacteria of periorbital cellulitis in adults have changed recently (2010–2019) compared with the past decade (2000–2009).

Methods

Adult patients (n=224) diagnosed with preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis admitted to Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital during 2000–2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and clinical characteristics, isolated pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility tests against the commonly cultured bacteria were analysed.

Results

Preseptal cellulitis showed a tendency of female predominance. Patients in their 60s showed an incidence peak; more cases were observed during winter. The most common predisposing factor was dacryocystitis (15.5%–30.5%), followed by hordeolum (15.5%–24.8%). Aetiology of sinusitis (p=0.001) decreased and that of conjunctivitis (p=0.007) increased significantly with time. Culture results of nasopharyngeal swabs and local abscess showed higher positivity rate than conjunctival swab. The most common isolates were methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistantS. aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci andPseudomonas aeruginosa. Antibiotics including fluoroquinolones and vancomycin were effective; in contrast, ampicillin/sulbactam and oxacillin showed decreasing efficacy against gram-positive bacteria. For antibiotic treatment againstP. aeruginosa, fluoroquinolones, ceftazidime, piperacillin and imipenem were ideal choices.

Conclusion

In isolated pathogens, the increasing trend of methicillin-resistantS. aureusdetection was compatible with reducing oxacillin efficacy against periorbital infection. In our study, the report of antibiotic efficacy against the most common identified bacteria offered empirical choices for hospitalised patients with periorbital infection before obtaining culture results.
Assessing the quality of care for children attending health facilities: a systematic review of assessment tools
Authors: Quach Alicia , Tosif Shidan , Nababan Herfina , Duke Trevor , Graham Stephen M , Were Wilson M , Muzigaba Moise , Russell Fiona M
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Assessing quality of healthcare is integral in determining progress towards equitable health outcomes worldwide. Using the WHO ‘Standards for improving quality of care for children and young adolescents in health facilities’ as a reference standard, we aimed to evaluate existing tools that assess quality of care for children.

Methods

We undertook a systematic literature review of publications/reports between 2008 and 2020 that reported use of quality of care assessment tools for children (<15 years) in health facilities. Identified tools were reviewed against the 40 quality statements and 510 quality measures from the WHO Standards to determine the extent each tool was consistent with the WHO Standards. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO ID: CRD42020175652.

Results

Nine assessment tools met inclusion criteria. Two hospital care tools developed by WHO-Europe and WHO-South-East Asia Offices had the most consistency with the WHO Standards, assessing 291 (57·1%) and 208 (40·8%) of the 510 quality measures, respectively. Remaining tools included between 33 (6·5%) and 206 (40·4%) of the 510 quality measures. The WHO-Europe tool was the only tool to assess all 40 quality statements. The most common quality measures absent were related to experience of care, particularly provision of educational, emotional and psychosocial support to children and families, and fulfilment of children’s rights during care.

Conclusion

Quality of care assessment tools for children in health facilities are missing some key elements highlighted by the WHO Standards. The WHO Standards are, however, extensive and applying all the quality measures in every setting may not be feasible. A consensus of key indicators to monitor the WHO Standards is required. Existing tools could be modified to include priority indicators to strengthen progress reporting towards delivering quality health services for children. In doing so, a balance between comprehensiveness and practical utility is needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020175652.
Acute and sustained increase in endothelial biomarkers in COVID-19
Authors: Méndez Raúl , González-Jiménez Paula , Latorre Ana , Piqueras Mónica , Bouzas Leyre , Yépez Katheryn , Ferrando Ana , Zaldívar-Olmeda Enrique , Moscardó Antonio , Alonso Ricardo , Reyes Soledad , Menéndez Rosario
Published: October 2021

Endothelial injury is related to poor outcomes in respiratory infections yet little is known in relation to COVID-19. Performing a longitudinal analysis (on emergency department admission and post-hospitalisation follow-up), we evaluated endothelial damage via surrogate systemic endothelial biomarkers, that is, proadrenomedullin (proADM) and proendothelin, in patients with COVID-19. Higher proADM and/or proendothelin levels at baseline were associated with the most severe episodes and intensive care unit admission when compared with ward-admitted individuals and outpatients. Elevated levels of proADM or proendothelin at day 1 were associated with in-hospital mortality. High levels maintained after discharge were associated with reduced diffusing capacity.
Incidence of pediatric injury visits decreased while trauma surgeries remained stable during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland: a register-based study
Authors: Kuorikoski Joonas , Kuitunen Ilari , Uimonen Mikko , Mattila Ville M , Ponkilainen Ville
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced pediatric emergency department (ED) visits and surgeries. This study evaluates the incidence of pediatric trauma ED visits and surgeries in Finland during the first and second waves of the pandemic.

Methods

Three large Finnish hospitals, covering one-sixth of the Finnish pediatric population, participated. Data on all ED visits and trauma surgeries between January 2017 and December 2020 were collected from hospital discharge registers. Monthly incidences with 95% CI were calculated per 100 000 person-months by Poisson exact method and compared by incidence rate ratio (IRR).

Results

During the lockdown the incidence of head injuries (IRR 0.19, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.87), sprains (IRR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.46), and fractures (IRR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.51) decreased in the 13–17 years age group. In the 4–12 years age group a 55% decrease (IRR 0.45, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.96) in head injuries was observed. During the period of regional restrictions a subtle decrease in head injuries was seen in the 13–17 years age group (IRR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.78). During the lockdown in March 2020 the incidence of fractures decreased in the oldest age group (13–17 years) (IRR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.85), while a rebound in incidence was seen at the end of the lockdown period in June.

Conclusion

The nationwide lockdown and the cancellation of sports and other hobbies markedly decreased the injuries among children aged 13–17 years, while the decrease was lower among children aged 4–12 years. Cancellation of sports and hobbies did not affect patients under 4 years of age.
Hazelnut floral phenology in southern Ontario
Authors: Taghavi Toktam , Rahemi Alireza , Dale Adam , Galic Dragan , Kelly John
Published: October 2021

Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is a monoecious, dichogamous plant species that flowers in winter and early spring. In traditional hazelnut growing regions, hazelnut cultivars generally express protandry where the male flowers bloom before the female flowers. Nut set requires that compatible pollen be shed when the stigmas of the main cultivar are receptive. In this study, the floral phenology and date of leaf budbreak of five selections and 19 hazelnut cultivars from Europe and North America were observed over 4 yr in southern Ontario, and results were compared with cumulative growing degree days (GDD). In the continental climate of southern Ontario, most cultivars showed protogyny. Flowering dates varied over the years with pollination occurring in a period of 2–3 wk in early spring. These cultivars were classified into early, mid, and late blooming types. A GDD model was a better tool than average daily temperatures to predict the flowering dates of catkins and female flowers. Averaged over years, most of the cultivars in this study have a female bloom that is likely too early for the pollen shed by most of the other cultivars. This would likely impact yields in a commercial orchard. However, ‘Jefferson’, ‘Gene’, and ‘Epsilon’ have late females that are receptive when other cultivars are shedding pollen.
The Ecology of Hyperparasitoids
Authors: Poelman Erik H. , Cusumano Antonino , de Boer Jetske G.
Published: October 2021

Hyperparasitoids are some of the most diverse members of insect food webs. True hyperparasitoids parasitize the larvae of other parasitoids, reaching these larvae with their ovipositor through the herbivore that hosts the parasitoid larva. During pupation, primary parasitoids also may be attacked by pseudohyperparasitoids that lay their eggs on the parasitoid (pre)pupae. By attacking primary parasitoids, hyperparasitoids may affect herbivore population dynamics, and they have been identified as a major challenge in biological control. Over the past decades, research, especially on aphid- and caterpillar-associated hyperparasitoids, has revealed that hyperparasitoids challenge rules on nutrient use efficiency in trophic chains, account for herbivore outbreaks, or stabilize competitive interactions in lower trophic levels, and they may use cues derived from complex interaction networks to locate their hosts. This review focuses on the fascinating ecology of hyperparasitoids related to how they exploit and locate their often inconspicuous hosts and the insect community processes in which hyperparasitoids are prominent players.
Beetle–Bacterial Symbioses: Endless Forms Most Functional
Authors: Salem Hassan , Kaltenpoth Martin
Published: October 2021

Beetles are hosts to a remarkable diversity of bacterial symbionts. In this article, we review the role of these partnerships in promoting beetle fitness following a surge of recent studies characterizing symbiont localization and function across the Coleoptera. Symbiont contributions range from the supplementation of essential nutrients and digestive or detoxifying enzymes to the production of bioactive compounds providing defense against natural enemies. Insights on this functional diversity highlight how symbiosis can expand the host's ecological niche, but also constrain its evolutionary potential by promoting specialization. As bacterial localization can differ within and between beetle clades, we discuss how it corresponds to the microbe's beneficial role and outline the molecular and behavioral mechanisms underlying symbiont translocation and transmission by its holometabolous host. In reviewing this literature, we emphasize how the study of symbiosis can inform our understanding of the phenotypic innovations behind the evolutionary success of beetles.
The Molecular Physiology and Toxicology of Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels in Insects
Authors: Piermarini Peter M. , Denton Jerod S. , Swale Daniel R.
Published: October 2021

Inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels have been studied extensively in mammals, where they play critical roles in health and disease. In insects, Kir channels have recently been found to be key regulators of diverse physiological processes in several tissues. The importance of Kir channels in insects has positioned them to serve as emerging targets for the development of insecticides with novel modes of action. In this article, we provide the first comprehensive review of insect Kir channels, highlighting the rapid progress made in understanding their molecular biology, physiological roles, pharmacology, and toxicology. In addition, we highlight key gaps in our knowledge and suggest directions for future research to advance our understanding of Kir channels and their roles in insect physiology. Further knowledge of their functional roles will also facilitate their exploitation as targets for controlling arthropod pests and vectors of economic, medical, and/or veterinary relevance.
Expression of claudin-8 is induced by aldosterone in renal collecting duct principal cells
Authors: Sassi Ali , Wang Yubao , Chassot Alexandra , Roth Isabelle , Ramakrishnan Suresh , Olivier Valérie , Staub Olivier , Udwan Khalil , Feraille Eric
Published: October 2021

In this study, we showed that aldosterone modulates claudin-8 expression in cultured collecting duct principal cells and in the mouse kidney. The upregulation of claudin-8 expression in response to aldosterone is dependent on at least glycogen synthase kinase-3, Lyn, and Abl signaling pathways, indicating the participation of multiple protein kinases to the effect of aldosterone.
Numerical Simulation on Heat Recovery Efficiency of Different Working Fluids in High-Temperature Rock Mass
Authors: Dong Xu , Geng Haozhe , Hao Guan , Li Pan , Teng Yi , Zhang Wen
Published: October 2021

It is of great significance for the sustainable development of global energy to develop hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resources by using enhanced geothermal system (EGS) technology. Different working fluids in EGS have different heat recovery efficiencies. Therefore, this paper takes water and CO2 as the heat-carrying media and establishes a thermal hydraulic mechanical coupling model to simulate the heat recovery process in high-temperature rock mass. By considering the different confining pressures, rock temperature, and injection pressure, the advantages of H2O-EGS and CO2-EGS are obtained. The results show that with the increase of confining pressure, the heat recovery efficiency of water is significantly higher than that of CO2, but at higher reservoir temperature, CO2 has more advantages as a heat-carrying medium. The net heat extraction rate will increase with the increase of injection pressure, which indicates that the mass flow rate plays a leading role in the heat recovery process and increases the injection pressure of fluid which is more conducive to the thermal recovery of EGS. This study will provide a technical guidance for thermal energy exploitation of hot dry rock under different geological conditions.
Chemical Potential-Based Modeling of Shale Gas Transport
Authors: Kou Jisheng , Chen Lingyun , Salama Amgad , Cai Jianchao
Published: October 2021

Shale gas plays an increasingly important role in the current energy industry. Modeling of gas flow in shale media has become a crucial and useful tool to estimate shale gas production accurately. The second law of thermodynamics provides a theoretical criterion to justify any promising model, but it has been never fully considered in the existing models of shale gas. In this paper, a new mathematical model of gas flow in shale formations is proposed, which uses gas density instead of pressure as the primary variable. A distinctive feature of the model is to employ chemical potential gradient rather than pressure gradient as the primary driving force. This allows to prove that the proposed model obeys an energy dissipation law, and thus, the second law of thermodynamics is satisfied. Moreover, on the basis of energy factorization approach for the Helmholtz free energy density, an efficient, linear, energy stable semi-implicit numerical scheme is proposed for the proposed model. Numerical experiments are also performed to validate the model and numerical method.
Competency of Neural Networks for the Numerical Treatment of Nonlinear Host-Vector-Predator Model
Authors: Sabir Zulqurnain , Umar Muhammad , Shah Ghulam Mujtaba , Wahab Hafiz Abdul , Sánchez Yolanda Guerrero
Published: October 2021

The aim of this work is to introduce a stochastic solver based on the Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation neural networks (LMBNNs) for the nonlinear host-vector-predator model. The nonlinear host-vector-predator model is dependent upon five classes, susceptible/infected populations of host plant, susceptible/infected vectors population, and population of predator. The numerical performances through the LMBNN solver are observed for three different types of the nonlinear host-vector-predator model using the authentication, testing, sample data, and training. The proportions of these data are chosen as a larger part, i.e., 80% for training and 10% for validation and testing, respectively. The nonlinear host-vector-predator model is numerically treated through the LMBNNs, and comparative investigations have been performed using the reference solutions. The obtained results of the model are presented using the LMBNNs to reduce the mean square error (MSE). For the competence, exactness, consistency, and efficacy of the LMBNNs, the numerical results using the proportional measures through the MSE, error histograms (EHs), and regression/correlation are performed.
Influence of Retardation Time on Viscoelastic Behavior of Plane Beams Modeled by the Nonlinear Positional Formulation of the Finite Element Method
Authors: Becho Juliano dos Santos , Greco Marcelo
Published: October 2021

A numerical procedure is presented to avoid the divergence problem during the iterative process in viscoelastic analyses. This problem is observed when the positional formulation of the finite element method is adopted in association with the finite difference method. To do this, the nonlinear positional formulation is presented considering plane frame elements with Bernoulli–Euler kinematics and viscoelastic behavior. The considered geometrical nonlinearity refers to the structural equilibrium analysis in the deformed position using the Newton–Raphson iterative method. However, the considered physical nonlinearity refers to the description of the viscoelastic behavior through the adoption of the stress-strain relation based on the Kelvin–Voigt rheological model. After the presentation of the formulation, a detailed analysis of the divergence problem in the iterative process is performed. Then, an original numerical procedure is presented to avoid the divergence problem based on the retardation time of the adopted rheological model and the penalization of the nodal position correction vector. Based on the developments and the obtained results, it is possible to conclude that the presented formulation is consistent and that the proposed procedure allows for obtaining the equilibrium positions for any time step value adopted without presenting divergence problems during the iterative process and without changing the analysis of the final results.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Minor Hallucinations in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zhong Min , Gu Ruxin , Zhu Sha , Bai Yu , Wu Zhuang , Jiang Xu , Shen Bo , Zhu Jun , Pan Yang , Yan Jun , Zhang Li
Published: October 2021

Purpose. As the most frequent and earliest type of psychotic phenomenon in Parkinson’s disease (PD), minor hallucination (MH) can occur before the onset of motor symptoms. This sensation may be an early predictor of severe psychotic and cognitive states and is often overlooked in clinics. This study was aimed at providing a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of MHs. Patients and Methods. Demographic information was obtained from 262 patients with PD, and a series of clinical assessment questionnaires were provided. According to the result of the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part I, the patients were classified into the MH and nonhallucination (NH) groups. Results. MHs were the most common psychotic symptom with 38.9% prevalence. The most frequent MH was visual illusion, especially object misidentification. Three minor phenomena were somewhat consistent in terms of external factors, temporal factors, and content. Disease duration, daily levodopa equivalent dose, and percentage of levodopa and dopamine-receptor agonist use were remarkably greater in the MH group than in the NH group. After covariate control, the MH group had worse life quality and more severe nonmotor symptoms, including poor sleep quality and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), than the NH group. The binary logistic regression model showed that RBD, sleep quality, and health-related life quality were associated with MHs. Conclusion. A high prevalence of MHs was observed in patients with PD. Further studies are needed to confirm and expand the identified clinical factors related to MH, which have potential prognostic and therapeutic implication.
Robust Assessing the Lifetime Performance of Products with Inverse Gaussian Distribution in Bayesian and Classical Setup
Authors: Ahmadini Abdullah Ali H. , Javed Amara , Akhtar Sohail , Chesneau Christophe , Jamal Farrukh , Alshqaq Shokrya S. , Elgarhy Mohammed , Al-Marzouki Sanaa , Tahir M. H. , Almutiry Waleed
Published: October 2021

The inverse Gaussian (Wald) distribution belongs to the two-parameter family of continuous distributions having a range from 0 to ∞ and is considered as a potential candidate to model diffusion processes and lifetime datasets. Bayesian analysis is a modern inferential technique in which we estimate the parameters of the posterior distribution obtained by formally combining a prior distribution with an observed data distribution. In this article, we have attempted to perform the Bayesian and classical analyses of the Wald distribution and compare the results. Jeffreys' and uniform priors are used as noninformative priors, while the exponential distribution is used as an informative prior. The analysis comprises finding joint posterior distributions, the posterior means, predictive distributions, and credible intervals. To illustrate the entire estimation procedure, we have used real and simulated datasets, and the results thus obtained are discussed and compared. We have used the Bayesian specialized Open BUGS software to perform Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations using a real dataset.
Effect of Sand and Sand‐Lime Piles on the Behavior of Expansive Clay Soil
Authors: Hussein Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Expansive clay soil causes serious problems to many structures due to its swelling and shrinkage during wet and dry seasons. With the existence of expansive soil in Ahkmim new city, Sohag governorate, Egypt, some light buildings, road pavements, and buried pipelines have shown some damage. To avoid such damage, prior to construction, expansive clay soils should be stabilized. Different methods are available to improve the engineering properties of these soils such as densification, chemical stabilization, reinforcement, and techniques of pore water pressure reduction. The chemical stabilization of clay using lime is one of the widespread methods that can be used to improve the behavior of expansive clay soil. This study aims to investigate the effect of both sand and sand‐lime piles on the behavior of expansive clay soil. A series of laboratory tests were carried out using the conventional Oedometer apparatus. Sand piles with different replacement area ratios (RARs) (4.68%, 10.16%, 24.6%, 35.84%, and 56.9%) were used. Also, sand piles stabilized with different percentages of lime (3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, 15%, and 20%) and with a replacement area ratio of 35.84% were used. The experimental results showed there is a significant improvement in reducing the swelling potential of expansive clay soil reinforced with sand or sand‐lime piles. This improvement increases with the increase of both replacement area ratio and lime content.
Remote Sensing Image Semantic Segmentation Algorithm Based on Improved ENet Network
Authors: Wang Yiqin
Published: October 2021

A remote sensing image semantic segmentation algorithm based on improved ENet network is proposed to improve the accuracy of segmentation. First, dilated convolution and decomposition convolution are introduced in the coding stage. They are used in conjunction with ordinary convolution to increase the receptive field of the model. Each convolution output contains a larger range of image information. Second, in the decoding stage, the image information of different scales is obtained through the upsampling operation and then through the compression, excitation, and reweighting operations of the Squeeze and Excitation (SE) module. The weight of each feature channel is recalibrated to improve the accuracy of the network. Finally, the Softmax activation function and the Argmax function are used to obtain the final segmentation result. Experiments show that our algorithm can significantly improve the accuracy of remote sensing image semantic segmentation.
Manual Acupuncture at ST37 Modulates TRPV1 in Rats with Acute Visceral Hyperalgesia via Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway
Authors: Chen Caiyi , Yu Zhi , Lin Dong , Wang Xuan , Zhang Xuejun , Ji Feng , He Lingling , Xu Bin
Published: October 2021

Acupuncture can significantly ameliorate inflammatory pain in acute visceral hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia is attenuated by inflammatory mediators that activate transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), and TRPV1 is regulated by nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. However, it is unknown whether NGF-induced PI3K/Akt pathway is associated with manual acupuncture (MA). In this study, the effect and mechanism of MA at Shangjuxu (ST37) and Quchi (LI11) were examined using an acetic acid-induced rat model with visceral hyperalgesia. We demonstrated that MA at ST37 significantly decreased abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores, proinflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and TRPV1 protein and mRNA expression in rats with acute visceral hyperalgesia compared with the untreated controls, while MA at LI11 showed no effect. The effects of MA at ST37 were reversed after treatment with the PI3K agonist IGF-1 30 min before MA. In rats with visceral hyperalgesia, the upregulation of NGF, tropomyosin-receptor-kinase A (TrkA), PI3K, and phosphorylation-Akt (p-Akt) was decreased by MA at ST37, indicating that TRPV1 regulation via the NGF-induced PI3K/Akt pathway plays a vital role in the effects of MA-mediated amelioration of acute visceral hyperalgesia.
A Coupled Elastoplastic Damage Dynamic Model for Rock
Authors: Hu Xuelong , Zhang Ming , Zhang Xiangyang , Tu Min , Yin Zhiqiang , Ma Haifeng , Duan Minke
Published: October 2021

Rock dynamic constitutive model plays an important role in understanding dynamic response and addressing rock dynamic problems. Based on elastoplastic mechanics and damage mechanics, a dynamic constitutive model of rock coupled with elastoplastic damage is established. In this model, unified strength theory is taken as the yield criterion; to reflect the different damage evolution law of rocks under tension and pressure conditions, the effective plastic strain and volumetric plastic strain are used to represent the compressive damage variable and the equivalent plastic strain is used to represent the tensile damage variable; the plastic hardening behavior and strain rate effect of rocks are characterized by piecewise function and dynamic increase factor function, respectively; Fortran language and LS‐DYNA User‐Defined Interface (Umat) are used to numerically implement the constitutive model; the constitutive model is verified by three classical examples of rock uniaxial and triaxial compression tests, rock uniaxial tensile test, and rock ballistic test. The results show that the constitutive model can describe the dynamic and static mechanical behavior of rock comprehensively.
Clinical Study on Characteristics and Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Lesions in Young Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Liu Hua , Zhang Jiangang , Ma Zengcai , Xu Zesheng
Published: October 2021

Epidemiological evidence suggests that the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among people under 40 years of age has an increasing trend in recent years. Smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, family history, and gender (male) are considered as classic risk factors for CHD, but the pathogenesis of CHD in young people is not exactly the same. Moreover, the relationship between the pattern of coronary artery disease and risk factors in young patients with acute myocardial infarction is inconclusive. In this study, we retrospectively studied the clinical data of 150 AMI patients treated in our hospital from January 2020 to May 2021. The patients were divided into the young group and elderly group according to the difference in age. The number of coronary artery lesions, the degree of coronary artery stenosis, the distribution dominance typing, the position of the lesions, and the presence of collateral circulation were observed and compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors affecting coronary artery lesions in young patients with AMI. The results showed that the number of coronary lesions in young patients with AMI was mainly single-vessel, and the dominant type of distribution was mainly right dominant type. The stenosis degree is lighter than that of elderly patients, and the incidence of collateral circulation is lower than that of elderly patients, but the position of the lesions has no obvious regular. Smoking, staying up late, HDL-C, and LDL-C/ApoB were independent factors affecting the number of coronary artery lesions, and the changes of HDL-C and LDL-C/ApoB had an important influence on the degree of coronary stenosis in young patients. This provides a new idea for clinical treatment.