bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using cultural‐ecological theory to construct a mid‐range theory for the development of gratitude as a virtue
Authors: Tudge Jonathan R. H. , Navarro Jessica L. , Payir Ayse , Merçon‐Vargas Elisa A. , Cao Hongjian , Zhou Nan , Liang Yue , Mendonça Sara
Published: September 2021

Gratitude scholarship, whether in the close relationships or developmental literature, currently lacks a coherent framework. The termgratitudeis used for a wide variety of constructs, and there is rarely a clear link between conceptualization and operationalization. We think that gratitude should be considered a moral virtue, involving the desire to reciprocate in some kind or helpful way to one's intentional benefactors. Our goal is thus to provide a mid‐range theoretical framework for the study of the development of gratitude as a virtue. The theory from which this framework is derived is cultural‐ecological theory.
Effect of aging and rejuvenation on adhesion properties of modified asphalt binder based on AFM
Authors: Guo Meng , Liang Meichen , Jiao Yubo , Tan Yiqiu , Yu Jianxin , Luo Daisong
Published: September 2021

The adhesion between asphalt binder and aggregate is very important to the performance and durability of asphalt pavement. In order to explore the characterisation of modified asphalt binder in microstructure during aging and rejuvenation, the virgin asphalt binder and three kinds of modified asphalt binder (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer (SBS), rubber powder and high viscosity and high elasticity [HVHE] modifier) in different aging and rejuvenation condition were prepared. The micromorphology and surface adhesion were measured by atomic force microscopy. The average roughness value was used as the index to evaluate the micromorphology of asphalt binder. The surface adhesion was used as the index to evaluate the adhesion properties of asphalt binder. Results show that the “bee” structure of SBS‐modified asphalt binder increased slightly after long‐term aging, and the recovery effect of aromatics oil was the closest to that of the unaged one. The rubber powder‐modified asphalt binder and HVHE‐modified asphalt binder showed the spot structure. And no matter for short‐term aging or long‐term aging, aromatics oil had the best recovery effect on micro morphology. The adhesion of the three modified asphalts would decrease gradually after aging. The effects of three kinds of rejuvenator on the adhesion of SBS‐modified asphalt binder and rubber powder‐modified asphalt binder were different. Rejuvenator, aromatic oil and warm mix asphalt mixture (WMA) additive could rejuvenate the loss of adhesion of HVHE‐modified asphalt binder to a certain extent.
Effective Picosecond Nd:YAG laser on seborrheic dermatitis and its mechanism
Authors: Liu Junru , Han Chunyu , Feng Xien , Liang Jinning , Qu Yan
Published: September 2021

Background

The Picosecond Nd:YAG laser has advantages in skin rejuvenation, which has little damage to surrounding tissues due to the ultra‐short pulse width. We perform clinical application of Picosecond Nd:YAG laser's tender skin mode, which could improve the seborrheic dermatitis.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐three subjects with facial seborrheic dermatitis are randomized to be control and observation groups. Records regarding skin subjective improvement, skin barrier function‐related data, skin microbial status, and dermoscopy detection of the two patient groups before and after treatments are investigated.

Results

Improvements of erythema and scales in observation group are significant compared with controls (p < 0.05). In terms of skin barrier function, there are significant changes regarding transepidermal water loss and epidermal seborrhea content in observation group after the laser treatments. Skin microbial state, pityrosporum furfur, and Demodex significantly decrement in observation group. Microscopical findings of infiltration mode advise that scales and capillary congestion and dilatation are significantly improved in observation group. Compared with controls, epidermal gloss increases, pore fineness improves, and capillary density decreases in the observation group.

Conclusions

Picosecond Nd:YAG laser could efficiently decrease erythema area and seborrheic dermatitis scales and reduce pruritus incidence. The sebaceous gland secretion of seborrhea and multiplying of epidermal parasitic microbiological are inhibited after laser treatment. Less epidermal seborrhea content and inflammation are induced by parasitic microbiology, which is helpful for skin barrier function and microvascular remodeling.
Implications of narrowband ultraviolet B treatment on psoriasis severity and serum levels of angiopoietin‐2: A cross‐sectional controlled study
Authors: Nada Hesham A. , Elshabrawy Mohamed M. , Elenain Sarah Ali Abo , Elsaie Mohamed L.
Published: September 2021

Background

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory hyper proliferative skin disease. Angiogenesis play an important role in Psoriasis pathogenesis, occurring even before plaque formation. Angiopoietins play an important role in angiogenesis and hence are described as angiogenic factors.

Aims

To evaluate serum levels of angiopoeitin 2 (Ang‐2) following treatment with narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) in patients with moderate‐severe plaque psoriasis and correlate it to psoriasis area and severity index (PASI).

Patients/Methods

This cross sectional study included 38 patients complaining of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and 38 healthy controls. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was determined and was correlated to serum levels of Ang‐2 before and after treatment with NBUVB.

Results

PASI scores and serum values of angiopoietin 2 demonstrated a significant difference between the baseline and at the end of the 12 weeks NBUVB treatment. A statistically significant positive correlation was established between psoriasis severity and Ang‐2 serum levels before and after treatment.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated a potential contribution of Ang‐2 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, as well as its usefulness as a biomarker of psoriasis severity.
Effectiveness of Disseminating School Physical Activity Information on Facebook during a Pandemic: A Mixed‐Method Analysis
Authors: Ross Allison , Edmeade Jendayi , Prochnow Tyler
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Social media is an important communication tool during times of crisis because of its vast reach. Understanding the effectiveness of sharing public health guidance and promoting schoolchildren's physical activity during the COVID‐19 pandemic can inform dissemination best practices.

METHODS

We classified 418 posts from parent/community members of a school‐based physical activity Facebook group by content type, and used concurrent mixed methods to examine (1) differences in dissemination effectiveness (reactions, shares, and comments) between two pandemic phases and (2) themes and sentiments of comments. Phase I included school closures through the release of national school re‐entry guidelines (March 1, 2020 – May 15, 2020) and Phase II extended through the school year start (May 16, 2020 – August 1, 2020).

RESULTS

Policy and guidance posts prompted more comments while feel‐good stories produced more reactions compared to other content types. Members reacted more during Phase II, which mainly consisted of policy and guidance (86%). Four major themes of information and resources, personal disclosures, questions and concerns, and support for educators emerged.

CONCLUSIONS

Sharing public health guidance for schoolchildren on social media was an effective strategy to disseminate information when in‐person discourse was limited. Creating social media spaces where discussion is encouraged can provide social and emotional support for parents/community members.
Niche differentiation between Malus sylvestris and its hybrid with Malus domestica indicated by plant community, soil and light
Authors: Ahl Lisa , Aas Gregor , Walentowski Helge , Höltken Aki Michael , Feulner Martin
Published: September 2021

Question

Malus sylvestris is considered an endangered tree species in Central Europe. Hybridization with Malus domestica poses a serious threat to the genetic integrity of the wild species. Here we investigate whether M. sylvestris and the hybrid M. domestica × sylvestris occur in the same habitat or have different ecological niches and whether M. sylvestris is threatened by displacement by the hybrid.

Location

Northern Bavaria.

Methods

Taxon delimitation was accomplished using six genetic microsatellite markers and 613 Germany‐wide references of M. sylvestris and 75 cultivars. To determine differences in the ecological niches between M. sylvestris and hybrids, light availability for the trees was estimated via gap fractions in hemispherical photographs. Soil particle size fractions and pH values were determined for each horizon. Vegetation relevé data were collected, and mean Ellenberg indicator values calculated. For habitat differences, means in combination with frequency patterns of the parameters were compared, and logistic models and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of community data were calculated.

Results

Genetic markers identified 22 M. sylvestris and 11 hybrid specimens, meaning that in the study area the wild taxon is much more frequent than the hybrid. Ecological site differences between M. sylvestris and its hybrid with M. domestica were best explained by light availability, pH and mean Ellenberg moisture value. In contrast to the ecological demands of the hybrid, Malus sylvestris tolerated wet soil and flooding and even somewhat shadier conditions in the later successional stages. DCA revealed that differences in the composition of the plant communities in which the taxa were found were primarily driven by soil moisture.

Conclusions

Our data suggested different ecological niches, which are appropriate to reduce the risk of replacement of M. sylvestris by the hybrid M. domestica × sylvestris. Hence, these findings provide important implications for a more targeted planning of in‐situ conservation strategies of M. sylvestris genomes with low levels of admixture and help to protect plant communities suitable for the threatened wild apple.
Experiences of linguistic understanding as epistemic feelings
Authors: Drożdżowicz Anna
Published: September 2021

Language understanding comes with a particular kind of phenomenology. It is often observed that when listening to utterances in a familiar language, competent language users can have experiences of understanding the meanings of these utterances. The nature of such experiences is a much debated topic. In this paper, I develop a new proposal according to which experiences of understanding are a particular kind ofepistemic feelings of fluencythat result from evaluative monitoring processes. The perceptual experience that accompanies linguistic comprehension results from the deployment of early stage auditory processes of speech perception that lead to the recognition of words.
Prospects for increasing the utilization of cattle embryo transfer by small‐scale milk and meat producers in tropical regions
Authors: Contreras David A. , Galina Carlos S. , Chenoweth Peter
Published: September 2021

Contents

Small community cattle farmers in the tropics are facing challenges to deliver quality products whilst under pressure to increase milk and beef yields per cow. These challenges could be partially met by crossbreeding Bos taurus with Bos indicus (F1) cattle utilizing embryo transfer (ET) technology. The Bos taurus infusion would increase milk production, whilst the Bos indicus influence can improve resistance to the harsh environment of the tropics. Here, individuals from existing herds can be used to produce F1 embryos which benefit from hybrid vigour. Resultant female offspring would in turn receive an F1 embryo on reaching breeding maturity. This approach would help to provide a cost‐effective, systematic approach to improve productivity in dairy and beef cattle in the tropics. However, full usage of ET, including in vitro applications, in the tropics will require improvements in procedures, resources and education.
The Heterarchy of Occupational Status: Evidence for Diverse Logics of Prestige in the United States*
Authors: Valentino Lauren
Published: September 2021

How do people perceive the status hierarchy? Stratification and inequality scholars have tended to assume that everyone perceives the status hierarchy the same way, using a single materialist logic—as a homoarchy. However, an emerging perspective from the study of culture posits that our view of the status hierarchy is shaped by our position within that hierarchy, suggesting that people using multiple, diverse logics—a heterarchy. This study provides the first test of these two frameworks using a classic measure of social status, occupational prestige, and new techniques for measuring and analyzing logics from culture and cognition. To do so, I analyze data from the 2012 General Social Survey module on occupational prestige judgments, which I link to individual‐level characteristics from the GSS as well as federal occupation‐level data. Results provide strong support for the existence of status heterarchy: I find evidence for at least four distinct ways of constructing the hierarchy of occupations in the United States. Furthermore, which hierarchy a person perceives is a function of their location in social space. I argue that this heterogeneity in perceptions of the status hierarchy entails implications for polarization, anti‐elitism, and populism in the contemporary United States.
Soil greenhouse gas emissions, organic carbon and crop yield following pinewood biochar and biochar–manure applications at eroded and depositional landscape positions: A field trial in South Dakota, USA
Authors: Abagandura Gandura Omar , Bansal Sangeeta , Karsteter Audrey , Kumar Sandeep
Published: September 2021

Soil amendments can help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and crop yield. However, most biochar studies have been conducted on single soil type under controlled conditions. To address this limitation, the aim of this research was to investigate how field biochar and manure applications affect soil quality, plant productivity, and GHG emissions at eroded (sandy loam) and depositional (clay loam) positions in a climate transition zone (udic to ustic and mesic to frigid temperature). A field study was established in 2013 in South Dakota, USA, under a corn–soya bean rotation. Soil treatments included biochar, manure, a manure and biochar mixture, and a control (untreated soil). Soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), SOC, available nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium) were measured in 2017. Plant productivity parameters in 2016 and 2017 and GHG fluxes were measured during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Compared with the control, SOC increased under all treatments at the eroded position (biochar 26%, manure 24%, and manure–biochar mixture 15%) and increased under biochar (25%) and the manure–biochar mixture (25%) at the depositional position. Plant parameters were similar under all treatments at both positions. Area‐scaled CO2 fluxes were lower in soils treated with biochar compared with the control at the eroded landscape position but not at the depositional landscape position. Area‐scaled N2O fluxes were lower in soils treated with biochar at both positions. Furthermore, the biochar–manure mixture treatment emitted lower area‐scaled N2O fluxes compared with manure alone at both positions. This study suggests that for eroded and depositional landscape positions, biochar can improve soil organic carbon and the effects of the biochar and biochar–manure mixture on GHG emissions vary based on the soil texture.
Soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in historic convent gardens under long‐term horticultural cultivation in Krakow, Poland
Authors: Gąsiorek Michał , Halecki Wiktor
Published: September 2021

This paper evaluates the seasonal changes of microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents as an indicator of urban soil health. Our research was conducted in six horticultural urban soils in Krakow that have been cultivated for centuries. We investigated the temporal dynamics of microbial biomass C and N in soil samples from 0 to 20 cm depth taken in spring, summer and autumn. The study plots were placed in suburban areas as well as in the centre of the city to distinguish whether the detected effect of altered soil properties is similar to suburban areas. Soil microbial biomass was determined by the chloroform fumigation–extraction (CFE) method. The concentrations of MBC and MBN were measured in the field‐moist soil samples. MBC in the soil ranged from 226.5 to 742.7 mg kg−1 and MBN from 62.7 to 359.6 mg kg−1 expressed in dry mass. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVAR, match‐model) was performed to test the main effects and interactions of temporal changes for MBC and MBN. There were significant differences only between MBN concentration in summer and autumn (p < .05). Principle component analysis (PCA) gave insightful results for the whole soil profile. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) indicated that the most explanatory variables in the studied time period were concentration of silt, total nitrogen, MBN and MBC content in the surface layer. Molar ratios of total organic carbon and total nitrogen (TOC:TN) indicated that microbial activity for C and N is enhanced by stoichiometry demands and therefore may be important for vegetation.
The genomic full‐length sequence of the HLA‐A*24:257 allele, identified by full‐length group‐specific sequencing
Authors: Hu Bin , Feng Zhihui , Jiao Shuxian , Pang Shutao
Published: September 2021

The genomic full‐length sequence of HLA‐A*24:257 was identified by a group‐specific sequencing approach from China.
Investigation of Murine Vaginal Creep Response to Altered Mechanical Loads
Authors: Clark-Patterson Gabrielle L. , McGuire Jeffrey A. , Desrosiers Laurephile , Knoepp Leise R. , De Vita Raffaella , Miller Kristin S.
Published: September 2021

The vagina is a viscoelastic fibromuscular organ that provides support to the pelvic organs. The viscoelastic properties of the vagina are understudied but may be critical for pelvic stability. Most studies evaluate vaginal viscoelasticity under a single uniaxial load; however, the vagina is subjected to dynamic multiaxial loading in the body. It is unknown how varied multiaxial loading conditions affect vaginal viscoelastic behavior and which microstructural processes dictate the viscoelastic response. Therefore, the objective was to develop methods using extension-inflation protocols to quantify vaginal viscoelastic creep under various circumferential and axial loads. Then, the protocol was applied to quantify vaginal creep and collagen microstructure in the fibulin-5 wildtype and haploinsufficient vaginas. To evaluate pressure-dependent creep, the fibulin-5 wildtype and haploinsufficient vaginas (n = 7/genotype) were subjected to various constant pressures at the physiologic length for 100 s. For axial length-dependent creep, the vaginas (n = 7/genotype) were extended to various fixed axial lengths then subjected to the mean in vivo pressure for 100 s. Second-harmonic generation imaging was performed to quantify collagen fiber organization and undulation (n = 3/genotype). Increased pressure significantly increased creep strain in the wildtype, but not the haploinsufficient vagina. The axial length did not significantly affect the creep rate or strain in both genotypes. Collagen undulation varied through the depth of the subepithelium but not between genotypes. These findings suggest that the creep response to loading may vary with biological processes and pathologies, therefore, evaluating vaginal creep under various circumferential loads may be important to understand vaginal function.
An examination of dose uncertainty and dose distribution effects on community noise attitudinal survey outcomes
Authors: Horonjeff Richard D.
Published: September 2021

Social survey data sets of large numbers of individual respondents' opinions are generally viewed as supporting reliable inferences of relationships between the prevalence of noise-induced annoyance and noise exposure levels. The current analyses identify conditions under which noise dose distributions and acoustic measurement uncertainty lead to appreciable mis-estimation of the slopes of empirical dose-response relationships with respect to those of true slopes in exposure ranges of interest. These findings were revealed by Monte Carlo methods for creating simulated data sets with varying exposure ranges and degrees of dose uncertainty. These simulated data sets support quantitative comparisons of dose-response relationships between empirical outcomes and known (assumed) relationships. The effect of noise dose uncertainty is appreciable for dose uncertainties with standard deviations greater than about 2 decibels. Limited dose ranges as well as haystack-shaped (non-uniform) dose distributions magnify the biasing effect of dose uncertainty on the slopes of observed relationships. Narrow exposure ranges can also create a false asymptotic behavior in the relationship. These phenomena are well documented in the non-acoustic literature.
Smartphone-based single-channel speech enhancement application for hearing aids
Authors: Shankar Nikhil , Bhat Gautam Shreedhar , Panahi Issa M. S. , Tittle Stephanie , Thibodeau Linda M.
Published: September 2021

This work presents a single-channel speech enhancement (SE) framework based on the super-Gaussian extension of the joint maximum a posteriori (SGJMAP) estimation rule. The developed SE algorithm is an open-source research smartphone-based application for hearing improvement studies. In this algorithm, the SGJMAP-based estimation for noisy speech mixture is smoothed along the frequency axis by a Mel filter-bank, resulting in a Mel-warped frequency-domain SGJMAP estimation. The impulse response of this Mel-warped estimation is obtained by applying a Mel-warped inverse discrete cosine transform (Mel-IDCT). This helps in filtering out the background noise and enhancing the speech signal. The proposed application is implemented on an iPhone (Apple, Cupertino, CA) to operate in real time and tested with normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners with different types of hearing aids through wireless connectivity. The objective speech quality and intelligibility test results are used to compare the performance of the proposed algorithm to existing conventional single-channel SE methods. Additionally, test results from NH and HI listeners show substantial improvement in speech recognition with the developed method in simulated real-world noisy conditions at different signal-to-noise ratio levels.
Ambipolar inverters based on cofacial vertical organic electrochemical transistor pairs for biosignal amplification
Authors: Rashid Reem B. , Du Weiyuan , Griggs Sophie , Maria Iuliana P. , McCulloch Iain , Rivnay Jonathan
Published: September 2021

A compact circuit based on electrochemical transistors for measuring and amplifying electrophysiological signals.
A universal bacteriophage T4 nanoparticle platform to design multiplex SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates by CRISPR engineering
Authors: Zhu Jingen , Ananthaswamy Neeti , Jain Swati , Batra Himanshu , Tang Wei-Chun , Lewry Douglass A. , Richards Michael L. , David Sunil A. , Kilgore Paul B. , Sha Jian , Drelich Aleksandra , Tseng Chien-Te K. , Chopra Ashok K. , Rao Venigalla B.
Published: September 2021

A CRISPR-engineered bacteriophage T4-COVID vaccine delivers multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens for potential broader protection.
A universal wet-chemistry synthesis of solid-state halide electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries
Authors: Wang Changhong , Liang Jianwen , Luo Jing , Liu Jue , Li Xiaona , Zhao Feipeng , Li Ruying , Huang Huan , Zhao Shangqian , Zhang Li , Wang Jiantao , Sun Xueliang
Published: September 2021

Ammonium-assisted wet chemistry was reported to synthesize various superionic halide electrolytes with a submicrometer size.
Platelets amplify endotheliopathy in COVID-19
Authors: Barrett Tessa J. , Cornwell MacIntosh , Myndzar Khrystyna , Rolling Christina C. , Xia Yuhe , Drenkova Kamelia , Biebuyck Antoine , Fields Alexander T. , Tawil Michael , Luttrell-Williams Elliot , Yuriditsky Eugene , Smith Grace , Cotzia Paolo , Neal Matthew D. , Kornblith Lucy Z. , Pittaluga Stefania , Rapkiewicz Amy V. , Burgess Hannah M. , Mohr Ian , Stapleford Kenneth A. , Voora Deepak , Ruggles Kelly , Hochman Judith , Berger Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2021

Platelet-derived MRP8/14 amplifies endotheliopathy in COVID-19.
Smoothened is a therapeutic target for reducing glutamate toxicity in ischemic stroke
Authors: Wang Yuqing , Lu Shanshan , Chen Yifei , Li Liang , Li Xia , Qu Zhongwei , Huang Junbo , Fan Liu , Yuan Chao , Song Nan , Zhang Jun , Xu Wendong , Yang Shenglian , Wang Yizheng
Published: September 2021

Activation of SHH pathway contributes to glutamate toxicity, and inhibition of SMO reduces ischemic brain damage in mice and monkeys.
Microbial Plankton Community Structure and Function Responses to Vitamin B
12
and B
1
Amendments in an Upwelling System
Authors: Joglar Vanessa , Pontiller Benjamin , Martínez-García Sandra , Fuentes-Lema Antonio , Pérez-Lorenzo María , Lundin Daniel , Pinhassi Jarone , Fernández Emilio , Teira Eva
Published: September 2021

B vitamins are essential growth factors for practically all living organisms on Earth that are produced by a selection of microorganisms. An imbalance between high demand and limited production may explain the low concentration of these compounds in marine systems.
UV Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 across the UVC Spectrum: KrCl* Excimer, Mercury-Vapor, and Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) Sources
Authors: Ma Ben , Gundy Patricia M. , Gerba Charles P. , Sobsey Mark D. , Linden Karl G.
Published: September 2021

UV light is an effective tool to help stem the spread of respiratory viruses and protect public health in commercial, transportation, and health care settings. For effective use of UV, there is a need to determine the efficiency of different UV wavelengths in killing pathogens, specifically SARS-CoV-2, to support efforts to control the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic and future coronavirus-caused respiratory virus pandemics.
Colloidal Manganese Salt Improves the Efficacy of Rabies Vaccines in Mice, Cats, and Dogs
Authors: Wang Zongmei , Yuan Yueming , Chen Chen , Zhang Chengguang , Huang Fei , Zhou Ming , Chen Huanchun , Fu Zhen F. , Zhao Ling
Published: September 2021

Extending the humoral immune response by using adjuvants is an important strategy for vaccine development. In this study, a novel adjuvant, MnJ, supplemented in rabies vaccines was evaluated in mice, cats, and dogs.
A Prioritized and Validated Resource of Mitochondrial Proteins in
Plasmodium
Identifies Unique Biology
Authors: van Esveld Selma L. , Meerstein‐Kessel Lisette , Boshoven Cas , Baaij Jochem F. , Barylyuk Konstantin , Coolen Jordy P. M. , van Strien Joeri , Duim Ronald A. J. , Dutilh Bas E. , Garza Daniel R. , Letterie Marijn , Proellochs Nicholas I. , de Ridder Michelle N. , Venkatasubramanian Prashanna Balaji , de Vries Laura E. , Waller Ross F. , Kooij Taco W. A. , Huynen Martijn A.
Published: September 2021

The unique biology and medical relevance of the mitochondrion of the malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
have made it the subject of many studies. However, we actually do not have a comprehensive assessment of which proteins reside in this organelle.
The Next-Generation β-Lactamase Inhibitor Taniborbactam Restores the Morphological Effects of Cefepime in KPC-Producing Escherichia coli
Authors: Roach Elyse J. , Uehara Tsuyoshi , Daigle Denis M. , Six David A. , Khursigara Cezar M.
Published: September 2021

β-lactam (BL) antibiotics are the most prescribed antimicrobial class. The efficacy of β-lactams is threatened by the production of β-lactamase enzymes, the predominant resistance mechanism impacting these agents in Gram-negative bacterial pathogens.
Microbial Interactions Drive Distinct Taxonomic and Potential Metabolic Responses to Habitats in Karst Cave Ecosystem
Authors: Ma Liyuan , Huang Xinping , Wang Hongmei , Yun Yuan , Cheng Xiaoyu , Liu Deng , Lu Xiaolu , Qiu Xuan
Published: September 2021

In general, the constant physicochemical conditions and limited nutrient sources over long periods in the subsurface support a stable ecosystem in karst cave. Previous studies on cave microbial ecology were mostly focused on community composition, diversity, and the relationship with local environmental factors.
Analysis of the Role of N-Linked Glycosylation in Cell Surface Expression, Function, and Binding Properties of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2
Authors: Rowland Raymond , Brandariz-Nuñez Alberto
Published: September 2021

Understanding the role of glycosylation in the virus-receptor interaction is important for developing approaches that disrupt infection. In this study, we showed that deglycosylation of both ACE2 and S had a minimal effect on the spike-ACE2 interaction.
Supplemental Material: Mantle heating at ca. 2 Ga by continental insulation: Evidence from granites and eclogites
Authors: Tamblyn Renee , al. et
Published: September 2021

Extended methods and results of the database analysis, and sources for garnet and plagioclase stability fields in Figure 2.
Chief cell plasticity is the origin of metaplasia following acute injury in the stomach mucosa
Authors: Caldwell Brianna , Meyer Anne R , Weis Jared A , Engevik Amy C , Choi Eunyoung
Published: September 2021

Objective

Metaplasia arises from differentiated cell types in response to injury and is considered a precursor in many cancers. Heterogeneous cell lineages are present in the reparative metaplastic mucosa with response to injury, including foveolar cells, proliferating cells and spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) cells, a key metaplastic cell population. Zymogen-secreting chief cells are long-lived cells in the stomach mucosa and have been considered the origin of SPEM cells; however, a conflicting paradigm has proposed isthmal progenitor cells as an origin for SPEM.

Design

Gastric intrinsic factor (GIF) is a stomach tissue-specific gene and exhibits protein expression unique to mature mouse chief cells. We generated a novel chief cell-specific driver mouse allele, GIF-rtTA. GIF-GFP reporter mice were used to validate specificity of GIF-rtTA driver in chief cells. GIF-Cre-RnTnG mice were used to perform lineage tracing during homoeostasis and acute metaplasia development. L635 treatment was used to induce acute mucosal injury and coimmunofluorescence staining was performed for various gastric lineage markers.

Results

We demonstrated that mature chief cells, rather than isthmal progenitor cells, serve as the predominant origin of SPEM cells during the metaplastic process after acute mucosal injury. Furthermore, we observed long-term label-retaining chief cells at 1 year after the GFP labelling in chief cells. However, only a very small subset of the long-term label-retaining chief cells displayed the reprogramming ability in homoeostasis. In contrast, we identified chief cell-originating SPEM cells as contributing to lineages within foveolar cell hyperplasia in response to the acute mucosal injury.

Conclusion

Our study provides pivotal evidence for cell plasticity and lineage contributions from differentiated gastric chief cells during acute metaplasia development.
Impact of afterload and infiltration on coexisting aortic stenosis and transthyretin amyloidosis
Authors: Patel Kush P , Scully Paul Richard , Nitsche Christian , Kammerlander Andreas A , Joy George , Thornton George , Hughes Rebecca , Williams Suzanne , Tillin Therese , Captur Gabriella , Chacko Liza , Kelion Andrew , Sabharwal Nikant , Newton James D , Kennon Simon , Ozkor Mick , Mullen Michael , Hawkins Philip N , Gillmore Julian D , Menezes Leon , Pugliese Francesca , Hughes Alun D , Fontana Marianna , Lloyd Guy , Treibel Thomas A , Mascherbauer Julia , Moon James C
Published: September 2021

Objective

The coexistence of wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR) is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, the impact of ATTR and AS on the resultant AS-ATTR is unclear and poses diagnostic and management challenges. We therefore used a multicohort approach to evaluate myocardial structure, function, stress and damage by assessing age-related, afterload-related and amyloid-related remodelling on the resultant AS-ATTR phenotype.

Methods

We compared four samples (n=583): 359 patients with AS, 107 with ATTR (97% Perugini grade 2), 36 with AS-ATTR (92% Perugini grade 2) and 81 age-matched and ethnicity-matched controls. 99mTc-3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD) scintigraphy was used to diagnose amyloidosis (Perugini grade 1 was excluded). The primary end-point was NT-pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) and secondary end-points related to myocardial structure, function and damage.

Results

Compared with older age controls, the three disease cohorts had greater cardiac remodelling, worse function and elevated NT-proBNP/high-sensitivity Troponin-T (hsTnT). NT-proBNP was higher in AS-ATTR (2844 (1745, 4635) ng/dL) compared with AS (1294 (1077, 1554)ng/dL; p=0.002) and not significantly different to ATTR (3272 (2552, 4197) ng/dL; p=0.63). Diastology, hsTnT and prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome were statistically similar between AS-ATTR and ATTR and higher than AS. The left ventricular mass indexed in AS-ATTR was lower than ATTR (139 (112, 167) vs 180 (167, 194) g; p=0.013) and non-significantly different to AS (120 (109, 130) g; p=0.179).

Conclusions

The AS-ATTR phenotype likely reflects an early stage of amyloid infiltration, but the combined insult resembles ATTR. Even after treatment of AS, ATTR-specific therapy is therefore likely to be beneficial.
Airway inflammation in severe asthmatics with acid gastro-oesophageal reflux
Authors: Tanner Nicole , Saglani Sejal , Li Albert M , Bush Andrew , Fleming Louise
Published: September 2021

The relationship between childhood asthma and gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is contentious. Recent studies in adult asthmatics suggest that GOR is associated with worse control and differences in sputum proteomics related to epithelial integrity, systemic inflammation and host defence. We assessed 127 children with severe asthma undergoing bronchoscopy and pH study. There were no differences in asthma control or measures of airway inflammation or remodelling when those with acid GOR were compared with those without. These results suggest that acid GOR is not an important comorbidity in paediatric severe asthma.
High $$P_T$$ Higgs excess as a signal of non-local QFT at the LHC
Authors: Su Xing-Fu , Li You-Ying , Nicolaidou Rosy , Chen Min , Wu Hsin-Yeh , Paganis Stathes
Published: September 2021

Non-local extensions of the Standard Model with a non-locality scale $$\varLambda _{NL}$$

Λ

NL

have the effect of smearing the pointlike vertices of the Standard Model. At energies significantly lower than $$\varLambda _{NL}$$

Λ

NL

vertices appear pointlike, while beyond this scale all beta functions vanish and all couplings approach a fixed point leading to scale invariance. Non-local SM extensions are ghost free, with the non-locality scale serving as an effective cutoff to radiative corrections of the Higgs mass. We argue that the data expected to be collected at the LHC phase 2 will have a sensitivity to non-local effects originating from a non-locality scale of a few TeV. Using an infinite derivative prescription, we study modifications to heavy vector-boson cross sections that can lead to an enhanced production of boosted Higgs bosons in a region of the kinematic phase space where the SM background is very small.
Using wearable proximity sensors to characterize social contact patterns in a village of rural Malawi
Authors: Ozella Laura , Paolotti Daniela , Lichand Guilherme , Rodríguez Jorge P. , Haenni Simon , Phuka John , Leal-Neto Onicio B. , Cattuto Ciro
Published: September 2021

Measuring close proximity interactions between individuals can provide key information on social contacts in human communities and related behaviours. This is even more essential in rural settings in low- and middle-income countries where there is a need to understand contact patterns for the implementation of strategies for social protection interventions. We report the quantitative assessment of contact patterns in a village in rural Malawi, based on proximity sensors technology that allows for high-resolution measurements of social contacts. Our results revealed that the community structure of the village was highly correlated with the household membership of the individuals, thus confirming the importance of the family ties within the village. Social contacts within households occurred mainly between adults and children, and adults and adolescents and most of the inter-household social relationships occurred among adults and among adolescents. At the individual level, age and gender social assortment were observed in the inter-household network, and age disassortativity was instead observed in intra-household networks. Moreover, we obtained a clear trend of the daily contact activity of the village. Family members congregated in the early morning, during lunch time and dinner time. In contrast, inter-household contact activity displayed a growth from the morning, reaching a maximum in the afternoon.

The proximity sensors technology used in this study provided high resolution temporal data characterized by timescales comparable with those intrinsic to social dynamics and it thus allowed to have access to the level of information needed to understand the social context of the village.
The Simpson’s Paradox in the Offline Evaluation of Recommendation Systems
Authors: Jadidinejad Amir H. , Macdonald Craig , Ounis Iadh
Published: September 2021

Recommendation systems are often evaluated based on user’s interactions that were collected from an existing, already deployed recommendation system. In this situation, users only provide feedback on the exposed items and they may not leave feedback on other items since they have not been exposed to them by the deployed system. As a result, the collected feedback dataset that is used to evaluate a new model is influenced by the deployed system, as a form of closed loop feedback. In this article, we show that the typical offline evaluation of recommender systems suffers from the so-called Simpson’s paradox. Simpson’s paradox is the name given to a phenomenon observed when a significant trend appears in several different sub-populations of observational data but disappears or is even reversed when these sub-populations are combined together. Our in-depth experiments based on stratified sampling reveal that a very small minority of items that are frequently exposed by the deployed system plays a confounding factor in the offline evaluation of recommendation systems. In addition, we propose a novel evaluation methodology that takes into account the confounder, i.e., the deployed system’s characteristics. Using the relative comparison of many recommendation models as in the typical offline evaluation of recommender systems, and based on the Kendall rank correlation coefficient, we show that our proposed evaluation methodology exhibits statistically significant improvements of 14% and 40% on the examined open loop datasets (Yahoo! and Coat), respectively, in reflecting the true ranking of systems with an open loop (randomised) evaluation in comparison to the standard evaluation.
High-Resolution Spatio-Temporal Model for County-Level COVID-19 Activity in the U.S.
Authors: Zhu Shixiang , Bukharin Alexander , Xie Liyan , Santillana Mauricio , Yang Shihao , Xie Yao
Published: September 2021

We present an interpretable high-resolution spatio-temporal model to estimate COVID-19 deaths together with confirmed cases 1 week ahead of the current time, at the county level and weekly aggregated, in the United States. A notable feature of our spatio-temporal model is that it considers the (1) temporal auto- and pairwise correlation of the two local time series (confirmed cases and deaths from the COVID-19), (2) correlation between locations (propagation between counties), and (3) covariates such as local within-community mobility and social demographic factors. The within-community mobility and demographic factors, such as total population and the proportion of the elderly, are included as important predictors since they are hypothesized to be important in determining the dynamics of COVID-19. To reduce the model’s high dimensionality, we impose sparsity structures as constraints and emphasize the impact of the top 10 metropolitan areas in the nation, which we refer to (and treat within our models) as
hubs
in spreading the disease. Our retrospective out-of-sample county-level predictions were able to forecast the subsequently observed COVID-19 activity accurately. The proposed multivariate predictive models were designed to be highly interpretable, with clear identification and quantification of the most important factors that determine the dynamics of COVID-19. Ongoing work involves incorporating more covariates, such as education and income, to improve prediction accuracy and model interpretability.
Joint Representation Learning with Relation-Enhanced Topic Models for Intelligent Job Interview Assessment
Authors: Shen Dazhong , Qin Chuan , Zhu Hengshu , Xu Tong , Chen Enhong , Xiong Hui
Published: September 2021

The job interview is considered as one of the most essential tasks in talent recruitment, which forms a bridge between candidates and employers in fitting the right person for the right job. While substantial efforts have been made on improving the job interview process, it is inevitable to have biased or inconsistent interview assessment due to the subjective nature of the traditional interview process. To this end, in this article, we propose three novel approaches to intelligent job interview by learning the large-scale real-world interview data. Specifically, we first develop a preliminary model, named Joint Learning Model on Interview Assessment (JLMIA), to mine the relationship among job description, candidate resume, and interview assessment. Then, we further design an enhanced model, named Neural-JLMIA, to improve the representative capability by applying neural variance inference. Last, we propose to refine JLMIA with Refined-JLMIA (R-JLMIA) by modeling individual characteristics for each collection, i.e., disentangling the core competences from resume and capturing the evolution of the semantic topics over different interview rounds. As a result, our approaches can effectively learn the representative perspectives of different job interview processes from the successful job interview records in history. In addition, we exploit our approaches for two real-world applications, i.e., person-job fit and skill recommendation for interview assessment. Extensive experiments conducted on real-world data clearly validate the effectiveness of our models, which can lead to substantially less bias in job interviews and provide an interpretable understanding of job interview assessment.
Correlating Cation Mixing with Li Kinetics: Electrochemical and Li Diffusion Measurements on Li-Deficient LiNiO2 and Li-Excess LiNi0.5Mn0.5O2
Authors: Phattharasupakun Nutthaphon , Cormier Marc M. E. , Lyle Erin , Zsoldos Eniko , Liu Aaron , Geng Chenxi , Liu Yulong , Li Hongyang , Sawangphruk Montree , Dahn J. R.
Published: September 2021

Cation mixing in Li-based layered positive electrode materials has been reported to negatively affect the electrochemical performance and transport properties of intercalated Li. However, no previous reports have systematically correlated the impact of cation mixing (Ni atoms in the Li layer) on the electrochemical properties and Li transport. Herein, a series of Li-deficient LNO (Li1−xNi1+xO2) materials with different amounts of Ni in the Li layers ranging from ca. 1.5%–6.0% was intentionally prepared by varying the Li/Ni ratio during synthesis. An order of magnitude decrease in the Li chemical diffusion coefficient was found between samples with 1.5% and 6% Ni in the Li layer. A similar dependence of the diffusion constant on the amount of Ni in the Li layer was also observed in the Li-excess materials

Li

1
+
x

Ni

0.5

Mn

0.5

1
−
x

O

2

for x = 0, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12, suggesting that, in general, larger amounts of Ni in the Li layer will lead to worse kinetics. This work quantitatively demonstrates that the amount of Ni in the Li layer needs to be carefully considered for the development of high-energy Ni-containing layered positive electrode materials as it directly affects overall electrochemical performance, phase transitions, and Li diffusion, leading to worse kinetics and seriously hindering rate capability.
Autophagy is required during high MUC2 mucin biosynthesis in colonic goblet cells to contend metabolic stress
Authors: Tiwari Sameer , Begum Sharmin , Moreau France , Gorman Hayley , Chadee Kris
Published: September 2021

It is unclear how colonic goblet cells survive by producing high output MUC2 mucin that triggers endoplasmic stress by misfolded MUC2 proteins. To cope with metabolic stress, we interrogated if autophagy played an essential role in regulating cellular homeostasis. Indeed, high MUC2 mucin biosynthesis dysregulated autophagy processes that was regulated by IL-22 to maintain gut barrier innate host defenses.
Seasonal changes of mitochondrial autophagy and oxidative response in the testis of the wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus)
Authors: Wang Yuhan , Su Ruting , Liu Pinxuan , Yuan Zhengrong , Han Yingying , Zhang Haolin , Weng Qiang
Published: September 2021

Mitochondria are the main organelles for mammalian energy metabolism and have been implicated in the regulation of germ cell maintenance and spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the changes in the mitochondria of the testis of seasonal breeders. Here, we characterized the seasonal changes in the mitochondria in the testis of the wild ground squirrels. Increased testicle weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, and sperm count were observed in the wild ground squirrels at the breeding season. RNA-seq analysis of the wild ground squirrel testes revealed that mitochondrial-related genes were expressed differentially between the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. Immunohistochemical staining showed that key mitophagy factors including PINK1, MFN2, and PARKIN were highly expressed in various cell types of testis during the breeding season. In addition, the abundance and enzymatic activities of mitochondrial-localized antioxidative enzymes superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and Catalase were decreased in the testis during the breeding season, suggesting a tightly controlled redox balance at least partially facilitated by mitophagy during the seasonal breeding. Taken together, our study reveals that mitochondrial autophagy and oxidative stress may be implicated in the seasonal reproductive recrudescence of the wild ground squirrels, which deepens our understanding of the mitochondrial regulation of seasonal reproductivity in wildlife and provides new insights into the development of potential therapeutic interventions of male infertility.