bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Squirrel and tree‐shrew responses along an urbanisation gradient in a tropical mega‐city – reduced biodiversity, increased hybridisation of Callosciurus squirrels, and effects of habitat quality
Authors: Thaweepworadej P. , Evans K. L.
Published: May 2022

Urbanisation is rapidly transforming terrestrial environments, especially in the tropics. Many squirrel species tolerate urbanisation, but studies are biased towards temperate regions. We quantify the distribution and abundance of squirrels and (ecologically similar) tree‐shrews along an urbanisation gradient in a rapidly urbanising tropical mega‐city (Bangkok, Thailand) located within the Indo‐Burma biodiversity hotspot. We used repeated point counts in 150 1 km cells, selected using random stratification across the urbanisation gradient. We quantified species responses to (i) urbanisation intensity (measured using impervious surface cover), (ii) environmental conditions (woodland quantity and quality, human disturbance and predation pressure from free‐ranging cats and dogs) and (iii) urbanisation impacts on hybridisation between congeneric Callosciurus squirrels. Three of the six species from the regional species pool were extremely rare or absent within our study region (Tamiops macclellandi, Callosciurus caniceps and Menetes berdmorei). Of the three more widespread species (Tupaia belangeri, Callosciurus finlaysonii and Callosciurus erythraeus) only C. finlaysonii had a higher abundance in more urban locations. The increasing intensity of urbanisation has thus markedly reduced squirrel diversity and abundance, contrasting with the perception from temperate regions that squirrels typically tolerate urbanisation. Urbanisation is thus likely to have reduced important ecological functions provided by squirrels, such as seed dispersal. Models of species responses to environmental conditions suggest that improving habitat quality by increasing tree cover and diversity at local and landscape scales and reducing human disturbance and numbers of feral dogs would partially mitigating adverse impacts of urbanisation on tropical squirrels and tree‐shrews. Urban infrastructure (bridge construction across the Chao‐Praya River) appears to have increased the permeability of a geographic barrier that previously separated C. finlaysonii and C. erythraeus distributions, increasing hybridisation rates. Our study enhances understanding of the ecological impacts of urbanisation in biodiverse tropical regions and the action required to mitigate these impacts.
Factors associated with labor after cesarean in a prospective cohort
Authors: Attanasio Laura B. , Paterno Mary T. , Kjerulff Kristen H.
Published: May 2022

Background

The goals of this study were (a) to determine how experiences in the first perinatal period shape birth mode preference among individuals with a first birth by cesarean; and (b) to examine the relationship between birth mode preference and other factors and subsequent labor after cesarean (LAC).

Methods

Data are from the First Baby Study, a prospective cohort of 3006 primiparous individuals. The analytic sample includes individuals with a first cesarean birth and a second birth during the 5‐year follow‐up period (n = 394). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the relationship between experiences in the first perinatal period and subsequent preference for vaginal birth, and between preference for vaginal birth and LAC in the second birth.

Results

About a third of the sample preferred vaginal birth in a future birth, and 20% had LAC. Factors associated with higher odds of future vaginal birth preference were favorable prenatal attitude toward vaginal birth, lower perceived maternal‐infant bonding at 1 month after the first birth, post‐traumatic stress symptoms after the first birth, and desiring more than 1 additional child after the first birth. Odds of LAC were nearly 8 times higher among those who preferred vaginal birth (AOR = 7.69, P < .001). Fatigue after the first birth, post‐traumatic stress symptoms after the first birth, and having higher predicted chances of vaginal birth after cesarean were also associated with higher odds of LAC.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the formation of preferences around vaginal birth may present a modifiable target for future counseling and shared decision‐making interventions.
Coexistence of pachyonychia congenita and hidradenitis suppurativa: more than a coincidence
Authors: Pavlovsky Mor , Peled Alon , Sarig Ofer , Astman Nadav , Malki Liron , Meijers Odile , Assaf Sari , Schwartz Janice , Malovitski Kiril , Hansen David , Sprecher Eli , Samuelov Liat
Published: May 2022

Background

The coexistence of pachyonychia congenita (PC) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been described in case reports. However, the pathomechanism underlying this association and its true prevalence are unknown.

Objectives

To determine the genetic defect underlying the coexistence of PC and HS in a large kindred, to delineate a pathophysiological signalling defect jointly leading to both phenotypes, and to estimate the prevalence of HS in PC.

Methods

We used direct sequencing and a NOTCH luciferase reporter assay to characterize the pathophysiological basis of the familial coexistence of HS and PC. A questionnaire was distributed to patients with PC registered with the International Pachyonychia Congenita Research Registry (IPCRR) to assess the prevalence of HS among patients with PC.

Results

Direct sequencing of DNA samples obtained from family members displaying both PC and HS demonstrated a missense variant (c.275A>G) in KRT17, encoding keratin 17. Abnormal NOTCH signalling has been suggested to contribute to HS pathogenesis. Accordingly, the KRT17 c.275A>G variant resulted in a significant decrease in NOTCH activity. To ascertain the clinical importance of the association of HS with PC, we distributed a questionnaire to all patients with PC registered with the IPCRR. Seventy-two of 278 responders reported HS-associated clinical features (25·9%). Disease-causing mutations in KRT17 were most prevalent among patients with a dual phenotype of PC and HS (43%).

Conclusions

The coexistence of HS and KRT17-associated PC is more common than previously thought. Impaired NOTCH signalling as a result of KRT17 mutations may predispose patients with PC to HS.

What is already known about this topic? The coexistence of pachyonychia congenita (PC) and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been described in case reports. However, the pathomechanism underlying this association and its true prevalence are unknown.

What does this study add? A dual phenotype consisting of PC and HS was found to be associated with a pathogenic variant in KRT17. This variant was found to affect NOTCH signalling, which has been previously implicated in HS pathogenesis. HS was found to be associated with PC in a large cohort of patients with PC, especially in patients carrying KRT17 variants, suggesting that KRT17 variants causing PC may also predispose to HS.

What is the translational message? These findings suggest that patients with PC have a higher prevalence of HS than previously thought, and hence physicians should have a higher level of suspicion of HS diagnosis in patients with PC.
TRBC1 expression assessed by flow cytometry as a novel marker of clonality in cutaneous αβ T-cell lymphomas with peripheral blood involvement
Authors: Martin-Moro Fernando , Martin-Rubio Isaac , Garcia-Vela Jose A.
Published: May 2022

The TRBC1 evaluation is a useful, simple, and fast flow cytometry tool for the assessment of αβ T-cell clonality in the blood of patients suspicious of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome.
Surviving the COVID‐19 pandemic: The antecedents of success among European SMEs
Authors: Chit Myint Moe , Croucher Richard , Rizov Marian
Published: May 2022

We research the antecedents of relative success among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in avoiding temporary or permanent closure during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We investigate the roles of firm‐specific resources and state support policies in influencing SME fortunes, in a sizeable group of European countries covered in the World Bank Enterprise Survey. Using resource dependency, Varieties of Capitalism and Systems theories, we find that innovative capacities, institutional connectedness, governance, and management experience were major antecedents of success across all SMEs. Significant differences in outcomes were found between SMEs operating in old and new EU member states, and non‐EU countries.
Clinicopathological features, MCPyV status and outcomes of Merkel cell carcinoma in solid‐organ transplant recipients: a retrospective, multicentre cohort study
Authors: Ferrándiz‐Pulido C. , Gómez‐Tomás A. , Llombart B. , Mendoza D. , Marcoval J. , Piaserico S. , Baykal C. , Bouwes‐Bavinck J.N. , Rácz E. , Kanitakis J. , Harwood C.A. , Cetkovská P. , Geusau A. , del Marmol V. , Masferrer E. , Orte Cano C. , Ricar J. , de Oliveira W.R. , Salido‐Vallejo R. , Ducroux E. , Gkini M.A. , López‐Guerrero J.A. , Kutzner H. , Kempf W. , Seçkin D.
Published: May 2022

Background

The proportion of Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) in solid‐organ transplant recipients (SOTR) harbouring Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is unknown, as are factors affecting their outcomes.

Objective

To describe clinicopathological features of MCC in SOTR, investigate the tumoral MCPyV‐status and identify factors associated with tumour outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective, international, cohort‐study. MCPyV‐status was investigated by immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction.

Results

A total of 30 SOTR and 44 consecutive immunocompetent patients with MCC were enrolled. SOTR were younger at diagnosis (69 vs. 78 years, P < 0.001). Thirty‐three percent of SOTR MCCs were MCPyV‐positive vs. 91% of immunocompetent MCCs (P = 0.001). Solid‐organ transplantation was associated with an increased cumulative incidence of progression (SHR: 3.35 [1.57–7.14], P = 0.002), MCC‐specific mortality (SHR: 2.55 [1.07–6.06], P = 0.034) and overall mortality (HR: 3.26 [1.54–6.9], P = 0.002). MCPyV‐positivity and switching to an mTOR inhibitor (mTORi) after MCC diagnosis were associated with an increased incidence of progression (SHR: 4.3 [1.5–13], P = 0.008 and SHR: 3.6 [1.1–12], P = 0.032 respectively) in SOTR.

Limitations

Retrospective design and heterogeneity of SOTR cohort.

Conclusions

MCPyV appears to play a less prominent role in the aetiopathogenesis of MCC in SOTR. SOTR have a worse prognosis than their immunocompetent counterparts and switching to an mTORi after the diagnosis of MCC does not improve progression.
DNA barcoding and species delimitation of the genus Oxynoemacheilus (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) in Anatolia
Authors: Bektas Yusuf , Aksu İsmail , Kaya Cüneyt , Bayçelebi Esra , Turan Davut
Published: May 2022

The DNA barcoding approach was used for the determination of evolutionary relationships and species delimitation of the genus Oxynoemacheilus (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). The COI barcode region (615 bp amplicon) was used to barcode 444 individuals from 64 morphologically identified species in the genus Oxynoemacheilus and 189 haplotypes were identified. The average of the interspecific p distance (9.59%) was about 21‐fold higher than the average intraspecific distance (0.44%). A general genetic threshold of 1.46% sequence divergence was defined for species delimitation. The multiple species delimitation methods (BCM, GMYC, bPTP and TCS) revealed a total of 62 molecular operational taxonomic units for 64 morphospecies with a new loach species from the BuyukMelen River. Neighbour‐joining, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses indicated that all haplotypes were clustered into 62 clades, which corresponded to Oxynoemacheilus species, with strong bootstrap support (≥95%). Furthermore, all samples grouped in concurrence with the taxonomic status of the species except for species groups (O. germencicus‐O. cinicus‐O. mesudae and O. leontinae‐O. namiri) that were showed intraspecific overlap in genetic diversity for COI‐based barcodes. In conclusion, our analyses indicate that COI‐based barcodes provide reliable species discrimination. Therefore, we currently recommend COI barcodes as the suitable barcode for genus Oxynoemacheilus.
A paradigm shift—Loneliness as a root cause of symptom distress among older adults
Authors: Kotwal Ashwin A. , Meier Diane E.
Published: May 2022

This editorial comments on the article by Powell et al. in this issue.
Characterization of junctional structures in the gingival epithelium as barriers against bacterial invasion
Authors: Ko Yeon Kyeong , Hong Sujung , Kim Hyun Man , Liu Mengmeng , Moon Eunyoung , Kim Pilhan , Choi Youngnim
Published: May 2022

Background and objective

Adherens junctions (AJs) and tight junctions (TJs) are known to play a crucial role in maintaining the physical barrier function of the epithelium. Here, we aimed to characterize the distribution of AJs and TJs throughout the gingival epithelium and to obtain insights into the physiological importance of these junctional structures.

Methods

Sections of mouse gingival tissue were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and bio‐high voltage electron microscopy tomography. The gingival sections were stained for E‐cadherin and JAM‐A as markers of AJs and TJs, respectively, and examined using confocal microscopy and lattice structured illumination microscopy. Bacteria within the gingival epithelium were examined using in situ hybridization.

Results

Junctional structures, including desmosomes, AJs, and TJs, were observed throughout the gingival epithelium. The expression levels of E‐cadherin were particularly low in the granular/keratinized layers of the oral epithelium (OE), while extremely low JAM‐A levels were detected in the granular/keratinized layers of the sulcular epithelium (SE). The three‐dimensional rendering of the junctional structures revealed that both AJs and TJs in the gingival epithelium formed discontinuous short bands or patches. Interestingly, strong bacterial signals were observed at the granular/keratinized layers of both SE and OE, but a few bacteria were detected within the junctional epithelium (JE) and the basal/spinous layers of the SE and OE.

Conclusions

AJs and TJs form a discontinuous barrier throughout paracellular passage in the gingival epithelium; nevertheless, they seem to play an important role in defending against invading bacteria.
Ionized hypercalcemia in cats with azotemic chronic kidney disease (2012‐2018)
Authors: van den Broek Dirk Hendrik Nicolaas , Geddes Rebecca F. , Lötter Nicola S. , Chang Yu‐Mei , Elliott Jonathan , Jepson Rosanne E.
Published: May 2022

Background

Hypercalcemia is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats, but studies assessing the physiologically relevant ionized calcium fraction are lacking.

Objectives

To describe the prevalence and incidence rate of ionized hypercalcemia, and to explore predictor variables to identify cats at risk of ionized hypercalcemia in a cohort of cats diagnosed with azotemic CKD.

Animals

One hundred sixty‐four client‐owned cats with azotemic CKD.

Methods

Variables independently associated with ionized hypercalcemia at diagnosis of azotemic CKD were explored by binary logistic regression. Cats that were normocalcemic at diagnosis of azotemic CKD were followed over a 12‐month period or until ionized hypercalcemia occurred and baseline predictor variables for ionized hypercalcemia explored using Cox proportional hazards and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Results

Ionized hypercalcemia (median, 1.41 mmol/L; range, 1.38‐1.68) was observed in 33/164 (20%) cats at diagnosis of azotemic CKD and was associated with male sex, higher plasma total calcium and potassium concentrations, and lower plasma parathyroid hormone concentrations. Twenty‐five of 96 initially normocalcemic (26%) cats followed for minimum 90 days developed ionized hypercalcemia (median, 1.46 mmol/L; range, 1.38‐1.80) at a median of 140 days after diagnosis of azotemic CKD (incidence rate, 0.48 per feline patient‐year). Only body condition score was independently associated with incident ionized hypercalcemia.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The occurrence of ionized hypercalcemia is high in cats with CKD. Continued monitoring of blood ionized calcium concentrations is advised.
Recruitment credit cannot compensate for extinction debt in a degraded dry Afromontane forest
Authors: Hishe Hadgu , Giday Kidane , Fremout Tobias , Negussie Aklilu , Muys Bart
Published: May 2022

Question

Anthropogenic disturbances severely affect dryland forests worldwide, but their effects on woody species population structure and long‐term persistence remain poorly understood.

Location

The research was conducted in Desa'a, a dry Afromontane forest in northern Ethiopia, Tigray region.

Aims

Woody species diversity, extinction debt, recruitment credit and colonisation credit were quantified and mapped based on an inventory of mature and regenerating individuals in 303 systematically sampled plots.

Methods

To assess tree species population dynamics at the neighbourhood scale, each plot was pooled with 16 neighbouring plots, in which species composition in the mature and regeneration layers was compared to determine the number of regenerating species, extinction debt, recruitment credit and colonisation credit. At the regional scale (150,000 ha), all plots were pooled to obtain the number of regenerating species, extinction debt and recruitment credit.

Results

The average density of the mature layer was 1,482 individuals per ha, representing 84 species and 44 families, with Juniperus procera and Olea europaea dominating. The regeneration layer had an average density of 14,909 individuals per hectare, with Dodonaea angustifolia and Cadia purpurea dominating. At the neighbourhood scale, the average number of regenerating species, extinction debt, recruitment credit and colonisation credit amounted to 12, 13, 5 and 68 species. Regionally, there were 58 regenerating species, an extinction debt of 26 species, and a recruitment credit of 12 species. Extinction debt was more than twice as high as recruitment credit at both the neighbourhood and regional scale.

Conclusion

Although regeneration density seemed sufficient to maintain forest density, it consisted of only a few species and is inadequate to maintain species diversity. It is urgent that forest managers recognise this and step‐up conservation and restoration efforts in this important forest relic. Assisted restoration is needed for those species potentially at risk of extinction.
Outcome of liver cancer patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: An International, Multicentre, Cohort Study
Authors: Muñoz‐Martínez Sergio , Sapena Victor , Forner Alejandro , Bruix Jordi , Sanduzzi‐Zamparelli Marco , Ríos José , Bouattour Mohamed , El‐Kassas Mohamed , Leal Cassia R. G. , Mocan Tudor , Nault Jean‐Charles , Alves Rogerio C. P. , Reeves Helen L. , da Fonseca Leonardo , García‐Juárez Ignacio , Pinato David J. , Varela María , Alqahtani Saleh A. , Alvares‐da‐Silva Mario R. , Bandi Juan C. , Rimassa Lorenza , Lozano Mar , González Santiago Jesús M. , Tacke Frank , Sala Margarita , Anders María , Lachenmayer Anja , Piñero Federico , França Alex , Guarino Maria , Elvevi Alessandra , Cabibbo Giuseppe , Peck‐Radosavljevic Markus , Rojas Ángela , Vergara Mercedes , Braconi Chiara , Pascual Sonia , Perelló Christie , Mello Vivianne , Rodríguez‐Lope Carlos , Acevedo Juan , Villani Rosanna , Hollande Clemence , Vilgrain Valérie , Tawheed Ahmed , Ferguson Theodoro Carmem , Sparchez Zeno , Blaise Lorraine , Viera‐Alves Daniele E. , Watson Robyn , Carrilho Flair J. , Moctezuma‐Velázquez Carlos , D'Alessio Antonio , Iavarone Massimo , Reig Maria
Published: May 2022

Background & Aims

Information about the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in patients with liver cancer is lacking. This study characterizes the outcomes and mortality risk in this population.

Methods

Multicentre retrospective, cross‐sectional, international study of liver cancer patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection registered between February and December 2020. Clinical data at SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis and outcomes were registered.

Results

Two hundred fifty patients from 38 centres were included, 218 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 32 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). The median age was 66.5 and 64.5 years, and 84.9% and 21.9% had cirrhosis in the HCC and iCCA cohorts respectively. Patients had advanced cancer stage at SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis in 39.0% of the HCC and 71.9% of the iCCA patients. After a median follow‐up of 7.20 (IQR: 1.84–11.24) months, 100 (40%) patients have died, 48% of the deaths were SARS‐CoV‐2‐related. Forty (18.4%) HCC patients died within 30‐days. The death rate increase was significantly different according to the BCLC stage (6.10% [95% CI 2.24–12.74], 11.76% [95% CI 4.73–22.30], 20.69% [95% CI 11.35–31.96] and 34.52% [95% CI 17.03–52.78] for BCLC 0/A, B, C and D, respectively; p = .0017). The hazard ratio was 1.45 (95% CI 0.49–4.31; p = .5032) in BCLC‐B versus 0/A, and 3.13 (95% CI 1.29–7.62; p = .0118) in BCLC‐C versus 0/A in the competing risk Cox regression model. Nineteen out of 32 iCCA (59.4%) died, and 12 deaths were related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Conclusions

This is the largest cohort of liver cancer patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. It characterizes the 30‐day mortality risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infected patients with HCC during this period.
Sieve tube structural variation in Austrobaileya scandens and its significance for lianescence
Authors: Losada Juan M. , He Zhe , Holbrook N. Michele
Published: May 2022

Lianas combine large leaf areas with slender stems, features that require an efficient vascular system. The only extant member of the Austrobaileyaceae is an endemic twining liana of the tropical Australian forests with well‐known xylem hydraulics, but the vascular phloem continuum aboveground remains understudied. Microscopy analysis across leaf vein orders and stems of Austrobaileya scandens revealed a low foliar xylem:phloem ratio, with isodiametric vascular elements along the midrib, but tapered across vein orders. Sieve plate pore radii increased from 0.08 µm in minor veins to 0.12 µm in the petiole, but only to 0.20 µm at the stem base, tens of metres away. In easily bent searcher branches, phloem conduits have pectin‐rich walls and simple plates, whereas in twining stems, conduits were connected through highly angled and densely porated sieve plates. The hydraulic resistance of phloem conduits in the twisted and elongated stems of A. scandens is large compared with trees of similar stature; phloem hydraulic resistance decreases from leaves to stems, consistent with the efficient delivery of photoassimilates from sources under Münch predictions. Sink strength of a continuously growing canopy might be stronger than in self‐supporting understory plants, favoring resource allocation to aerial organs and the attainment of vertical stature.
Retracted: The constitutional court as a subject of the political process
Authors: Polovchenko Konstantin A.
Published: May 2022

The article presents a study of the special powers of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflecting the specifics of the state structure. The Constitutional Court of Bosnia has certain powers that can determine the specifics of the legal nature of this state. Leading in this study is the method of systems analysis, which allowed the author to analyze the degree of participation of the constitutional control body in ensuring the continuity of the law‐making process. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the implementation of the constitutional project is associated with ensuring the parity of interests of constitutive peoples and making the state mechanism provided in the constitution effective. Analyzing the institution of protection of vital interests in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the author concludes that the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina significantly influenced the change in the structure and content of this institution in the studied state.

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Policy change and the failure of pro‐European agency in the British Conservative Party: A post‐structuralist analysis
Authors: Wright John S. F.
Published: May 2022

Under a post‐structuralist lens, the policy change through which Britain left the European Union in January 2020 is not only about the success of the Euroskeptic policy position at the 2016 referendum, but also about the failure of pro‐European agency in major British political parties like the Conservative and Unionist Party (CP). This article applies critical logics analysis—social, political, and fantasmatic—to deployments of pro‐European agency within the CP across three historical periods: (i) a pre‐Maastricht period, (ii) a Maastricht period, and (iii) a pre‐referendum period. I outline reasons for which key conservative agents failed to restore meaning to a policy routine for upholding British membership of European institutions. In doing so, I aim to demonstrate the capacity of post‐structuralist policy analysis to make insightful, rigorous, and useful contributions to political science and its important issue of policy change by way of comparison with more established models.

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The coordination of melatonin and anti‐bacterial activity by EIL5 underlies ethylene‐induced disease resistance in cassava
Authors: Wei Yunxie , Zhu Binbin , Ma Guowen , Shao Xiaodie , Xie Haoqi , Cheng Xiao , Zeng Hongqiu , Shi Haitao
Published: May 2022

Ethylene and melatonin are widely involved in plant development and environmental stress responses. However, the role of their direct relationship in the immune response and the underlying molecular mechanisms in plants remain elusive. Here, we found that Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) infection increased endogenous ethylene levels, which positively modulated plant disease resistance through activating melatonin accumulation in cassava. In addition, the ethylene‐responsive transcription factor ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE LIKE5 (MeEIL5), a positive regulator of disease resistance, was essential for ethylene‐induced melatonin accumulation and disease resistance in cassava. Notably, the identification of heat stress transcription factor 20 (MeHsf20) as an interacting protein of MeEIL5 indicated the association between ethylene and melatonin in plant disease resistance. MeEIL5 physically interacted with MeHsf20 to promote the transcriptional activation of the gene encoding N‐acetylserotonin O‐methyltransferase 2 (MeASMT2), thereby improving melatonin accumulation. Moreover, MeEIL5 promoted the physical interaction of MeHsf20 and pathogen‐related gene 3 (MePR3), resulting in improved anti‐bacterial activity of MePR3. This study illustrates the dual roles of MeEIL5 in fine‐tuning MeHsf20‐mediated coordination of melatonin biosynthesis and anti‐bacterial activity, highlighting the ethylene‐responsive MeEIL5 as the integrator of ethylene and melatonin signals in the immune response in cassava.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Social Science Studies, Vol. 10, No. 3
Authors: Young James
Published: May 2022

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 10, Number 3 Agboola O. Paul, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MalaysiaBassam Yousef Ibrahim Banat, Al-Quds University, PalestineBo Li, Miami University, USAEncarnación ABAD ARENAS, National University of Distance Education (UNED), SpainIvan Lenard, Elementary school Ladimirevci, CroatiaJehu Onyekwere Nnaji, University of Naples II, Italy and Globe Visions Network Italy, ItalyJulia M. Mack, Gannon University, USAMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshMei-Ling Lin, National Open University, TaiwanMOHD NORAZMI BIN NORDIN, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, MalaysiaNAZIAH ABD. KADIR, Universiti Selangor, MalaysiaRachita Shrivastava Roy, Department of Higher Education,Chhatisgarh-India, IndiaRonaldo R. Larioque, NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PhilippinesSana Ali, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, PakistanUğur DEMİRCİ, Turkish National Police, TurkeyWahyu Nugroho, Sahid University of Jakarta, IndonesiaYanzhe Zhang, Jilin University, ChinaZlatan Begić, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Evaluation of Thermal Performance of Conically Shaped Micro Helical Tubes Using Non-Newtonian Nanofluids–A Numerical Study
Authors: Zainith Prabhakar , Mishra Niraj Kumar
Published: May 2022

Nowadays, the cooling and heating of micro-thermal devices have received a growing interest. To improve the thermal management of these micro-thermal devices, various efforts are being made by the researchers. In the present study, conically shaped micro helical tubes are used to investigate the coil side heat transfer rate and friction factor of non-Newtonian nanofluids under laminar flow conditions. For the numerical analysis, single-phase approach with commercial software ansys-fluent-19 has been utilized. Investigations encompass generalized Reynold numbers ranging from 306 to 2159 and four different curvature ratios (0.066, 0.076, 0.088, and 0.1) of conically shaped micro helical tubes. The inner diameter of the helical tube is 2 mm and contains 20 turns. Al2O3-based non-Newtonian nanofluids with volume concentrations of 0.0%, 0.1%, and 0.2% having base fluid of aqueous solution of carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) are used as the working fluid (hot) for the coil side, while in the shell side cold water is used. The results from numerical investigation are validated and found in good agreement with earlier experimental results. The results show that with the increase in the curvature ratio of conically coiled tubes both heat transfer rate and friction factor increase by 46% and 98% respectively, for base fluid at a curvature ratio of 0.1. Also, the present study reveals that adding nanoparticles to the base fluid enhances the heat transfer rate to a maximum value of 40%. Moreover, the maximum value of thermal performance factor (TPF) is found to be 1.52.
Growth and characterization of (Sc2O3)x(Ga2O3)1−x by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Hlad Mark S. , Gila Brent P. , Abernathy Cammy R. , Ren Fan , Pearton S. J.
Published: May 2022

(Sc2O3)x(Ga2O3)1−x was grown by molecular beam epitaxy at low temperatures (100 °C) using a variety of growth sequences to avoid surface segregation of Ga. Continuous and digital growth techniques always produced Ga segregation. This surface segregation was attributed to the stronger bond between the Sc and O compared to the Ga and O. A digital growth technique (alternate opening of Sc and Ga shutters with the O shutter open continuously during the growth) was unsuccessful in eliminating this effect. The segregation was eliminated using a growth technique in which the Ga shutter was closed for a set amount of time toward the end of the growth while the O and Sc shutters remained open. Characterization with reflection high energy electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy revealed the growth of a fine-grained polycrystalline film under these conditions. A third growth technique was used that involved closing the Ga shutter for a set amount of time toward the end of the growth while the O and Sc shutters were open continuously. This technique was successful in depositing a uniform film. However, the breakdown field was only 1.40 MV/cm (at 1 mA/cm2). The addition of Ga to Sc2O3 diminished the insulating properties of the film. These initial experiments indicate that phase segregation is likely to be a major issue with most growth techniques and that alloying Ga2O3 with elements other than Sc, such as Gd or Al, might be a more successful approach.
Wind-noise reduction for infrasonic measurements using adaptive line enhancement
Authors: Khan Imran , Sultan Amir , Salam Mohammad , Ali Waqas , Iqbal Talat
Published: May 2022

Measurement quality and analysis capability of infrasonic signals are both affected by background wind-noise. Physical filters, i.e., barriers and pipe arrays, are traditionally employed to reduce such noise. However, limited efficacy, site dependence, cost, requirement of space, non-portability, and frequent maintenance are some of their major drawbacks. This work proposes an adaptive filtering-based adaptive line enhancer (ALE) noise cancellation scheme as an alternative. Two infrasonic sensors (Chaparral Physics 50A), are adjacently deployed. One sensor is fitted with a conventional four-armed non-porous hose array (physical filter), while the ALE scheme is applied to the second sensor, sans physical filter. In high wind-noise conditions, the ALE scheme seems to behave as a lowpass filter (cutoff at 0.2 Hz), with a maximum attenuation of 26 dB at 8 Hz, while the physical filter provides significant attenuation only above 4 Hz with a maximum attenuation of 17 dB at 8 Hz. Generally, at other frequencies, the ALE scheme provides up to 20 dB superior noise attenuation as compared to the physical filter. The ALE also provides up to 6 dB gain in the signal-to-noise ratio as compared to the physical filter, due to non-attenuation of the infrasonic signal.
Rheology of Candida albicans fungal biofilms
Authors: Beckwith Joanne K. , Ganesan Mahesh , VanEpps J. Scott , Kumar Anuj , Solomon Michael J.
Published: May 2022

Fungi such as Candida albicans exist in biofilm phenotypes, which present as viscoelastic materials; however, a method to measure linear viscoelastic moduli, yield stress, and yield strain is lacking. Characterization methods for fungal materials have been limited to techniques specific to particular industries. Here, we present a method to measure the shear stress, strain amplitude, and creep of C. albicans BWP17 biofilms. Our method includes features tailored to the analysis of fungi including an in vitro growth protocol attuned to the slow growth rates of C. albicans biofilms and a resultant cultured biofilm that has sufficient integrity to be transferred to the rheometer tooling without disrupting its structure. The method's performance is demonstrated by showing that results are insensitive to gap, evaporative sealant, length of experiment, and specimen radius. Multiscale imaging of the fungal biofilm showed complex entanglement networks at the hundred-micrometer scale. For a wild-type strain cultivated for 14 days, using small-amplitude oscillatory rheology, we found that the elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) moduli were nearly independent of frequency over the range 0.1–10 s−1, with magnitudes of 18400±1100 and 1700±140Pa, respectively. The yield stress was approximately 850±60Pa. We modeled the linear creep response of the fungal biofilm and found that C. albicans has a characteristic relaxation time of 810±19s and a viscosity of 8.4±0.2MPas. We applied this method to probe the effects of altered chitin deposition in the C. albicans cell wall. Differences between the biofilm's phenotypic cell shape and rheological properties in mutants with altered chitin synthase activity were resolved. Discovering how genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental factors impact the material properties of these microbial communities can have implications for understanding fungal biofilm growth and aid in the development of remediation strategies.
Large-Scale Discovery of Microbial Fibrillar Adhesins and Identification of Novel Members of Adhesive Domain Families
Authors: Monzon Vivian , Bateman Alex
Published: May 2022

Fibrillar adhesins are a class of bacterial cell surface proteins that enable bacteria to interact with their environment. We developed a machine learning approach to identify fibrillar adhesins and applied this classification approach to the
Firmicutes
and
Actinobacteria
Reference Proteomes database.
Revisiting Huronian paleoslopes
Authors: Long Darrel G.F.
Published: May 2022

It is commonly assumed that the gradients of pre-vegetation fluvial systems were greater than those of modern rivers. If the measured thickness of crossbeds is first corrected for post-depositional compaction, using thin-section-based observations, the corrected thickness data can be applied to a new suite of formulae, based on observations of >4000 modern rivers, to provide more realistic paleohydrological reconstructions of ancient river systems. Using this approach, after correction for 36% compaction, the average slope of the rivers that deposited the Mississagi Formation was calculated as 0.0013 m/m (0.0005–0.0026), with an average bankfull channel depth of 2.67 m. The slope of Serpent Formation rivers, after correction for 33.5% compaction, averaged 0.0007 m/m (0.0003–0.0016), with an average bankfull channel depth of 5.85 m. The calculation of slopes using this approach on these Paleoproterozoic and other Precambrian systems indicates that primary river gradients were similar to modern rivers, falling well below the “depositional gap”, of 0.007–0.026 m/m, between modern rivers and arid-region fans, negating the long-held idea that pre-vegetation rivers had higher slopes than their modern counterparts.
Short-Packet Transmission in Irregular Repetition Slotted ALOHA System Over the Rayleigh Fading Channel
Authors: Tian Ni , Cai Xuelian , Cheng Jun , Yue Wenwei , Luo Maofeng
Published: May 2022

Random access systems are potential for Internet of Things in the future wireless communication network for its operational simplicity. Irregular repetition slotted ALOHA (IRSA) system is one of the high-efficiency random access systems. In this paper, performance analysis of the irregular repetition slotted ALOHA systems with short-packet, i.e. finite-blocklength, transmission for the quasi-static Rayleigh fading channel is given. A cumulative distribution function of signal-to-interference power ratio (SIR) is derived and thus a closed-form expression of an average packet error probability (PEP) at the SIR with short packets for the Rayleigh fading channel is given. The closed-form expression makes it possible to optimize the degree distributions at a specific blocklength in the sense that the systems give the maximum system load.
DECODING THE CORRELATION AMONG LEG MUSCLE AND BRAIN ACTIVATIONS IN DIFFERENT BODY MOVEMENTS
Authors: RAMADOSS JANARTHANAN , RAJAGOPAL KARTHIKEYAN , DAWI NORAZRYANA MAT , NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , PAKNIYAT NAJMEH
Published: May 2022

We investigated the correlation among brain and leg muscle activations by analyzing Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electromyogram (EMG) signals in different conditions. Twelve subjects performed four tasks, including (1) quarter turns, (2) U-turns, (3) bypass obstacles, and (4) repeating quarter turns and U-turns two times. Then, we quantified the alterations of the complexity of these signals by computing the fractal dimension and sample entropy. The results showed that EEG and EMG signals in the case of the first task are more complex than the second task, in which they are more complex than the third task. Furthermore, the brain and muscle signals show the least complexity in the case of the fourth task. Moreover, we found strong correlations in the variations of fractal dimension ([Formula: see text]) and sample entropy ([Formula: see text]) between EEG and EMG signals in various tasks. Therefore, brain and muscle activations are strongly correlated in different tasks. Similar analyses can be conducted in the case of other organs to decode their correlations.
Minimax optimal estimation of high-dimensional sparse covariance matrices with missing data
Authors: Qi Xinyu , Wang Jinru , Zeng Xiaochen
Published: May 2022

This paper considers the minimax estimation of the high-dimensional sparse covariance matrices in the presence of missing observations. Based on random missing data, the upper bounds of convergence rate about the data-driven thresholding estimator are constructed over a large class of sparse covariance matrices under the [Formula: see text] norm and the Frobenius norm. In addition, we use Le Cam’s lemma and the relation between the total variation affinity and the Kullback–Leibler divergence to establish the lower bounds which illustrate the desired upper bounds cannot be improved. It is worth mentioning that the approach we adopt to get the lower bounds is simpler than the existing ones.
Transforming OMIC features for classification using siamese convolutional networks
Authors: Wang Qian , Duan Meiyu , Fan Yusi , Liu Shuai , Ren Yanjiao , Huang Lan , Zhou Fengfeng
Published: May 2022

Modern biotechnologies have generated huge amount of OMIC data, among which transcriptomes and methylomes are two major OMIC types. Transcriptomes measure the expression levels of all the transcripts while methylomes depict the cytosine methylation levels across a genome. Both OMIC data types could be generated by array or sequencing. And some studies deliver many more features (the number of features is denoted as [Formula: see text]) for a sample than the number [Formula: see text] of samples in a cohort, which induce the “large [Formula: see text] small [Formula: see text]” paradigm. This study focused on the classification problem about OMIC with “large [Formula: see text] small [Formula: see text]” paradigm. A Siamese convolutional network was utilized to transform the OMIC features into a new space with minimized intra-class distances and maximized inter-class distances between the samples. The proposed feature engineering algorithm SiaCo was comprehensively evaluated using both transcriptome and methylome datasets. The experimental data showed that SiaCo generated SiaCo features with improved classification accuracies for binary classification problems, and achieved improvements on the independent test dataset. The individual SiaCo features did not show better inter-class discrimination powers than the original OMIC features. This may be due to that the Siamese convolutional network optimized the collective performances of the SiaCo features, instead of the individual feature’s discrimination power. The inherent transformation nature of the Siamese twin network also makes the SiaCo features lack of interpretability. The source code of SiaCo is freely available at http://www.healthinformaticslab.org/supp/resources.php .
A Machine Learning Approach for Automated Filling of Categorical Fields in Data Entry Forms
Authors: Belgacem Hichem , Li Xiaochen , Bianculli Domenico , Briand Lionel
Published: May 2022

Users frequently interact with software systems through data entry forms. However, form filling is time-consuming and error-prone. Although several techniques have been proposed to auto-complete or pre-fill fields in the forms, they provide limited support to help users fill categorical fields, i.e., fields that require users to choose the right value among a large set of options.

In this article, we propose LAFF, a learning-based automated approach for filling categorical fields in data entry forms. LAFF first builds Bayesian Network models by learning field dependencies from a set of historical input instances, representing the values of the fields that have been filled in the past. To improve its learning ability, LAFF uses local modeling to effectively mine the local dependencies of fields in a cluster of input instances. During the form filling phase, LAFF uses such models to predict possible values of a target field, based on the values in the already-filled fields of the form and their dependencies; the predicted values (endorsed based on field dependencies and prediction confidence) are then provided to the end-user as a list of suggestions.

We evaluated LAFF by assessing its effectiveness and efficiency in form filling on two datasets, one of them proprietary from the banking domain. Experimental results show that LAFF is able to provide accurate suggestions with a Mean Reciprocal Rank value above 0.73. Furthermore, LAFF is efficient, requiring at most 317 ms per suggestion.
Automated Identification of Uniqueness in JUnit Tests
Authors: Wu Jianwei , Clause James
Published: May 2022

In the context of testing, descriptive test names are desirable because they document the purpose of tests and facilitate comprehension tasks during maintenance. Unfortunately, prior work has shown that tests often do not have descriptive names. To address this limitation, techniques have been developed to automatically generate descriptive names. However, they often generated names that are invalid or do not meet developer approval. To help address these limitations, we present a novel approach to extract the attributes of a given test that make it unique among its siblings. Because such attributes often serve as the basis for descriptive names, identifying them is an important first step towards improving test name generation approaches. To evaluate the approach, we created a prototype implementation for JUnit tests and compared its output with human judgment. The results of the evaluation demonstrate that the attributes identified by the approach are consistent with human judgment and are likely to be useful for future name generation techniques.
Growth of the Serrated GaN Nanowire and its Photoelectrochemical Application
Authors: Cai Wenhan , Yu Lingya , Lee Chun-Yu , Wang Lilin , Sun Shujing , Shen Kun-Ching , Chen Chenlong
Published: May 2022

Introducing polyhedral facets into a high surface-to-volume nanowire structure (i.e., serrate-shaped or screw thread-like nanowire) is an effective way for boosting the photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity. However, fabricating such nanowires with serrated surfaces remains a challenge because it usually involves many complex processes, thus limiting mass activity. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for natural growth of the serrated GaN nanowires on a LiGaO2 substrate by using an Au catalyst-assisted vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) method. The specific GaN nanowire grew through an atypical growth mechanism due to the partial deformation of the Au catalyst. The serrated GaN nanowire exhibited a higher photocurrent density of 0.391 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus RHE, which was approximately 2.3 times that of the GaN film (0.157 mA cm−2). The high stability of the photoresponse and photocurrent of the serrated nanowire was verified in a wide angle-dependent illumination. This work opens a new way for strengthening the PEC performance of the GaN-based photoanodes by introducing serrate-shaped surfaces on the GaN nanowires.